Customer Reviews

Chanel: Her style and her life

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a spectacularly beautiful and insightful view of a woman who was the major force in 20th century fashion. It is elegantly written and sumptuously illustrated and no doubt will become the definitive book on Coco Chanel. I learned a great deal that I did not know before and I had a long career in fashion. This book will delight men as well as women because it contains many revealing stories about Chanel's sexual escapades. Buy it by all means!

I have always been fascinated by whatever's written about her ever since I received a Chanel purse for an 18th birthday present. There have been a number of books written about Chanel, I'm sure but Janet Wallach's will not disappoint any reader. It is simple and elegantly written with beautiful black and white illustrations. Even if one is not a fan of Chanel's style, you will be intrigued by her notorious life as told here. Either for yourself or a friend, a nice book to keep and look through now and again.

Another superb book from Janet Wallach. Engaging, provocative and insightful. Wallach brings her estimable research skills and writing talent to bear on a fascinating and controversial women who continues to demand attention, respect for her determination and accomplishments and fair judgment for the choices she made in her private life as a very public person.

Wallach brings to life the vast complexities of Chanel's life as never before. The author's attentive research into the Chanel archives, her vivid anecdotes and insider's accounts of the rare creature that was Coco Chanel reveal volumes about the making of fashion, culture, and an icon. As does a comprehensive collection of photographs. This is quite simply an irresistable read.

For the first time we can see the story of Coco Chanel's life and the style it inspired side by side, in an elegantly produced, reasonably priced volume. Chanel called herself the first 20th century woman, and the fact that the way women dress today is due to her understanding of women, her independence and her fascinating life unfolds in Janet Wallach's narrative. Surely this is the least expensive Chanel one can buy and keep forever.

Undoubtedly, this is a great book. The illustrations and photographs alone are worth the hefty price tag. The use of wording and the excitement in the authors "tone" provides one with great visions and imagery of her escapades and adventures.
The details are pretty good...however, there are, at times, several bits of information written about Chanel that is not accurate. Having read dozens of books and just about anything and everything ever printed about Mademoiselle, it struck a chord knowing that many people will read this book and believe that is the way certain things happened in her life, be it what she said or did, or did not do. And while it may not have necessarily meant to be a comprehensive, didactic text, allow yourself the pleasure of reading several books about Chanel to get a better understanding of one of the greatest women of all time.

I absolutely loved reading this book! It provided me with an insight into the life of Chanel including all of her successes and struggles. It really made an impression on me and I would encourage anyone who is looking for a good read to pick up this book. Not only was it very informative, it also provided a great story full of saddness, love, and many other touching and motivating elements.

Thank you for such promt shipping especially at Christmas time. I love the book. It is a gift for my Aunt. Thanks!

I have been looking for this particular book in book stores for awhile. I am enjoying the book but was disappointed to have to pay a premium price.

This book is very good. The text isn't hard to read, and in this book are allot of pictures, only in black and white. There should have been also a few colour pictures. This book is only looking at the period that Coco Chanel designed the collections and not the Karl Lagerfeld era.