The Pocket Chanel

by Gemini

This beautifully concise guide tells the story of the couturier Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel and the luxury fashion brand she founded.

A charismatic character, Chanel created relaxed clothing, made for comfort and activity, liberating women from the confines of corsets. This unofficial and unauthorized pocket-sized celebration of her life and work reveals her humble origins, rise to fame and key pieces.

From the little black dress and the 2.55 handbag to costume jewelry and Chanel No. 5 perfume, her simple and elegant designs were so novel and original that they changed fashion for ever.

128 pages, Hardcover

Published April 8, 2025

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

ARC for review. To be published March 20, 2025.

1.5 stars

A trifling look at the woman and the fashion house. They tiptoe right around saying that she consorted with Nazis (but they get pretty close) and they try to describe a bunch of things they desperately needed to include things for which they needed to include photos. This really required photos plus at least a hundred more pages to do it justice and that’s just for a pocket guide.

[OutlawPoet · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute little book though, due to size I suppose, a bit light on any depth.

The book is chock full of little anecdotes about Coco Chanel. There are a couple of very sparse references to her scandals, but those are very, very light.

It also gives a retrospect of the various iconic fashion items that helped to make her famous.

It whets the appetite to learn more and leaves you a bit unsatisfied.

I don't know that it does the icon and her story justice.

* ARC via Publisher

[Kristen Jauregui · Rating 4 out of 5]

An informative, short, biography on the ever so fabulous Coco Chanel. Perfect for fashionistas and people who appreciate the backstory of these infamous designers. I appreciated getting an inside look at who Coco Chanel was, which fed my curiosity about this fabulous designer and brand.

[Vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Pocket Chanel by Gemini was a small book packed with so much information about the fabulous Coco Chanel.
I am a big fan of her fragrances (well, most of them) and her love her clothing, but I could never afford any of her clothes, but they are so beautiful to look at on famous people.

Coco Chanel is famous for so many things from the little black dress, the 2.55 handbag to costume jewellery and Chanel No. 5 perfume. They were her simple and elegant designs were so novel and original that they changed fashion for ever.

Perfect little book if you are a fan. - I'll wait for my birthday for another bottle of Chanel No 5 lol.

[Catherine Pratt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had always had a fascination with Coco Chanel. I hated her fragrances and her clothing but I always had a huge fascination with her. Now that I had read her story, I can see why her life was so.fascinating. the book was a little.on the short side but its ok because its just a layer of her life being explained. Which is very fascinating. A must read book if you have interest in fragrances and clothing.

I have received a free copy of the book and is voluntarily writing a review

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

The Pocket Chanel is a cute, easy to read book about the influences of the woman herself and the brand. It has some u go about her life, Chanel during the war being accused of being a spy, the clothes during different times in history..

If you are looking for an in-depth book this is not it but it is great for getting to know a bit more about the person especially’

[LeAnna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a bit broad for my liking — it covers, Coco Chanel’s early years, romantic interludes, and death but little about her career trajectory. Iconic pieces and silhouettes from the brand were described with no photos, and “iconic” shows mentioned were all long after Coco passed away. Overall, this feels more like a soft coffee table book but the lack of photos feels like a blunder.

My thanks to Gemini for this ARC.

[Alanna Fowler · Rating 3 out of 5]

The editing on this book needs a lot of work so I hope it hasn’t been printed yet

She opened her first 2 shops in 1913 and 1915 but then 5 years later in 2015?!? She was in magazines. - something needs fixed there.

Overall it was an interesting little read but I got bored when it got to the facts of each piece.
Thanks NetGalley for letting me read and review

[Christie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always loved fashion and reading about the origins of the business. The Pocket Chanel gives you a taste of Coco Chanel. With descriptions of her early life and how she began designing for the modern woman, this book touches on her iconic style in bags and clothing. Later, the focus shifts to additional designers that enhanced the already popular line. Good info with assorted pictures.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Pocket Chanel (Book 32 of The Pocket) by Gemini is an overview of the life of couturier Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel and the luxury fashion brand she founded. The book tells the story of Chanel's life from her humble beginnings to the end of her life and spotlights her luxury brand and collections.

I enjoyed this book, particularly the stories behind some of her creations. I would recommend this book to fans of Coco Chanel and fashion lovers as well.

Thank you to Gemini Books Group for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.