Chanel: The Couturiere at Work [Paperback]

Amy de la Haye (Author), Shelley Tobin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1995

In the years around World War I, Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel challenged the world of fashion head on. Jersey knit fabrics, easy-to-wear garments based on men's sportswear, showy costume jewelry, and "the little black dress" are just a few of her innovations that have become fashion staples. In this lavishly illustrated book, for the first time the focus is on Chanel the couturière and her immense influence on the way women choose to look in the modern world.

Under the design stewardship of Karl Lagerfeld, the House of Chanel is today more relevant than ever, and in January 2010 Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky will be released nation-wide. As exciting as a front row seat at a couture show, Chanel: The Couturiere at Work is a compelling look at the fashion empire of one of the indisputable geniuses of twentieth century fashion.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Whether it is a knockoff, a rip-off, or the real thing, the look of Chanel is unmistakable. Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel created the "ease of movement" couture for active women, stressed the importance of the little black dress, and was the first fashion designer with a signature perfume. This book is a historical look at the House of Chanel and at Chanel herself as a couturiere. Whether turning out stylish hats and jersey fabrics or laborious beadwork and jewelry designs, Rue 21 Cambon has continuously soared with success. Details of Coco's personal life, business savvy, and influential work associates are also covered, showcasing this marketing genius' fashion foothold. Upon Coco's death, revival efforts by other designers were made, but none so successful as Karl Lagerfeld's. He propelled Chanel to supermodel fame. Many of his styles mimic traditional tweeds and accentuate the fluidity of fabrics; however, Lagerfeld adds a touch of mockery and brass to modernize the look. Under Lagerfeld, the House of Chanel has made an impressive and monetary turnaround that would make even the irascible Coco proud. Lisa Orzepowski --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Details of Coco's personal life, business savvy, and influential work associates are also covered, showcasing this marketing genius' fashion foothold. Upon Coco's death, revival efforts by other designers were made, but none so successful as Karl Lagerfeld's. He propelled Chanel to supermodel fame. " -Booklist

"A classic read" -Elle

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 136 pages
• Publisher: Overlook TP (December 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0879516399
• ISBN-13: 978-0879516390
• Product Dimensions: 11.5 x 9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #786,938 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Thin book with glossy photos, April 7, 2007

By 

Gromer "Gromer" (San Francisco) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Chanel: The Couturiere at Work (Paperback)

The writing is not very good - more like a stream of advertorials. There is overwhelming praise of Chanel's work - flattery more like it - without any criticism or analysis. However the pictures are good if you are collecting photos of Chanel's clothing designs over time. "Chanel and Her World" is a better book - it was put together with more thought. "Chanel: The Couturiere At Work" is just a thin book - more like a magazine, with insubstantial prose. Get it used.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Coco" and why she mattered ..., December 27, 2004

By 

Laurie Eno (New England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chanel: The Couturiere at Work (Hardcover)

Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel is adequately profiled in this book; from her very humble beginnings to her rise and fall -- and rise again -- this is an insightful biography of the woman and her work, which were for all intents and purposes inseparable. The authors capture not just the drive and determination which propelled Coco to the heights, but shrewdly illustrate how startlingly ahead of her time the designer was, and how much her work and ideas permeate fashion, even to the present day. Don't let the absurdities and excess of so much Chanel on the runway today fool you -- this woman was a visionary in her time, and the quintessence of her designs was paradoxically American; sporty, practical, possessed of a spare elegance, though she was in every way a Frenchwoman through and through. The early drawings of her first dresses are included here and are fascinating. Precious few exist, because -- as they book tells -- Coco Chanel preferred to design on the body, using live models. She was a perfectionist par excellence who introduced trends that transcended their time, and this modest book is a worthy addition to your library if you have any interest at all in the foundations of twentieth century fashion. There are many books on Chanel; I haven't read them all, so this isn't a comparative review, just the opinions of a fan of the couturiere as artist.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A 'must' for any serious fashion collection, November 5, 2006

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chanel: The Couturiere at Work (Paperback)

Chanel: The Couturiere At Work is a lovely survey of fashion icon Coco Chanel and her innovative fashion ideas, and belongs in any collection boasting a focus on fashion. Her style is examined in depth; from her first early creations in the early 20th century through her design changes over the decades and her creations through the House of Chanel. Loaded with black and white and color examples from all the periods, Chanel The Couturiere At Work is a 'must' for any serious fashion collection.