Vogue On: Coco Chanel

Vogue on Designers

by Bronwyn Cosgrave

In Vogue on Coco Chanel , acclaimed fashion writer and commentator Bronwyn Cosgrave traces the story of Coco Chanel's iconic designs and glamorous, racy life. Featuring original illustrations and images from celebrated photographers, such as Cecil Beaton, the book provides a completely fresh look at the fashion designer, who is arguably 'the most influential female designer of the twentieth century'. Coco Chanel pioneered classic easy-to-wear fashion for the modern woman. Perhaps her most important contribution to the fashion world was the simple, much-imitated 'little black dress', which made its debut in 1926. Other landmark creations include the Chanel suit and the quilted handbag. It is a testament to her lasting influence that these legendary designs remain as popular today as when they first appeared.

Genres: Fashion, Nonfiction, Biography, Art, Coffee Table Books

158 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2012

Reviews

[Nick · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO SLAY AND WELL WRITTEN

[Anastasiya Lysyuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Чудова книга, в якій із великим теплом описується життєвий шлях унікальної історичної постаті, що, певним чином, змінила статус жінки як такої. Габріель Шанель відчувала потреби часу і перш за все своїм прикладом започаткувала багато трендів. Цікаво описані її певні забобони, джерела натхнення та життєва філософія. Мене ця книга змусила закохатися в образ сильної незалежної жінки і спробувати собі перейняти деякі її звички. Коко Шанель,неодмінно, зробила великий внесок у формування світу, не побоюсь цого слова, який ми знаємо сьогодні. І ця книга про неї.

[Frederike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Illuminating portrait of the queen of the Little Black Dress, Chanel No 5 perfume, two-tone shoes, 2.55 bag, loungewear avant la lettre and countless other creations, shown in words, drawings and photos

[Amber Hardisty · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting read.

[Jintana Liu · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me want to fill my closet with Chanel, if i could afford it. Anyway I really love this book because it really show a lot on how Chanel rise into fame and about her elegance and style. All the quotes in the books are also very classy and romantic.

[Dave H · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Chanel was not hip'

I didn't know much about Chanel until a real introduction by Sex and Suits (a most interesting book). Yes, there is the problem with her activity during WWII, but the more we know about these great people, the less we wish we knew. Certainly she is one of the more important figures of the 20th century (what other designers were featured so prominently in the recent Barbie movie?) and had an interesting life, from her studios in Paris to fly fishing in Scotland with Winston Churchill. Nice pictures, nice book.

'Coco! That will finish me!'

[Jimena Bautista · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabrielle Chanel foi uma das pioneiras no uso da malha e do tweed. Neste livro, a autora consegue trazer pontos fundamentais do alcance de Coco Chanel e como ela conseguiu criar um estilo próprio que perdura até hoje. Desde alguns antigos croquis, até fotos de seus últimos trabalhos em vida, Cosgrave retrata fielmente a mulher por trás do "pretinho básico".

[HKMar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chanel's early life interests me the most. I've read and saw several interpretations of her early beginnings and her personal life. I find this book to be more of the fashion break through but still found her personal life even more intriguing.

[Marisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This book absolute transformed my opinion on Coco Chanel. This book was so informative and entertaining to read. I read it in two sittings and was never bored. It taught me about the fashion industry in the early to mid 1900s and how Coco Chanel forever changed the way clothes were created.

[Mads · Rating 3 out of 5]

don't rate her much as a person but her contributions to my perfume collection cannot go unmentioned. it was also really cool to see the sketches of her designs - i wish more of the books in this vogue on series included them

[Elisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una piccola chicca su Coco.
Belle le foto e i racconti dell’epoca.
Forse meno spetegules sulla sua vita amorosa sarebbe stato meglio. Più spazio per le sue creazioni e per le fasi della sua vita (non sapevo del suo periodo a Hollywood).

[Céline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book.

[Riyam Sabi · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was very good but one remark the writing was too small that hurt my eyes and it made me read less of the book but eventually i finished it and i liked it

[Giedrius Kriščiukaitis · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good historical / fashion evening reading. Impressive life, inspiring.

[Estelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. A lovely incite to the world of Vogue and Channel. Inspired me to get back to designing.

[Aurora Leos · Rating 5 out of 5]

The making of a fashion Legend

A fast read. Well written and I thoroughly enjoyed it . A book for anyone interested in fashion.... The history behind the name brand of Chanel.

[Katerina · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining but most of the facts are well known if you’re into Chanel

[Sarah Bougie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picture, explanation, great recap.
But long sentences

[suriya Linh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was gripped from start to finish. What a life!

[Adelina · Rating 3 out of 5]

miau

[Sophie Beth Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

"A woman can be overdressed, never over elegant."

These wise words come from Coco Chanel, an inimitable figure in fashion. Her influence is undeniable and unmatched; from the classic tweed jacket, the infamous classic flap bag to the charming aroma of her No.5 perfume, every woman should have a little piece of Chanel in her life.

Ever since I purchased my very first Chanel product (a bold red nail polish in the shade 'Pirate), I have been hoping to one day own a Chanel classic flap (preferably in pink tweed.)

'Vogue On: Coco Chanel' is the ideal read for any Chanel lover. The book explores Coco's humble beginnings in its early chapters; she was born penniless in 1883 and was soon moved to an orphanage.
Yet this difficult beginning blessed Coco with a resilience which would power her future career.

I found this book so inspiring and I thought I would share one of my favourite passages which discusses Coco's morning routine:

"She rose at 7.30 everyday. Reposing in white silk pyjamas that were made at her couture house, she consumed porridge, coffee... At 9 am, white wool terry-cloth pyjamas went on over Chanel's silk ones. She then spent 'hours at her dressing table with her toilette and maquillage.' Every day a stylist from Guillaume, the top Paris salon, tended Chanel's hair." 🌸☁️🌸

[Lisa Veldkamp · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like Chanel, this is a great read. It gives you an insight into her life, her work, her way of thinking. And it's illustrated with some amazing pictures.

[Frida Rahkola · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting as long as you are into fashion or Chanel :)

[Dominika Klekner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant. The best read ever!