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Coco Chanel: A Life from Beginning to End
The legendary French designer Coco Chanel was born in 1883. She changed the way women thought about fashion and themselves; her dresses were meant to free women of the corset and allow them to move freely and elegantly. At the dawn of a new century, Chanel stood for a new type of woman.
Chanel worked her way up from living in an orphanage to dining with royalty. She personified her own designs. Always independent, she never married, took on lovers as she pleased, and never apologized. A century after Coco Chanel opened her first small shop in Paris, her designs still define luxury.
Discover a plethora of topics such as
An Orphaned Girl
Coco Takes on Paris
Chanel No. 5
The Crash of 1929
Chanel during World War II: The Nazi Spy
Exile and Return
And much more!
Chanel worked her way up from living in an orphanage to dining with royalty. She personified her own designs. Always independent, she never married, took on lovers as she pleased, and never apologized. A century after Coco Chanel opened her first small shop in Paris, her designs still define luxury.
Discover a plethora of topics such as
An Orphaned Girl
Coco Takes on Paris
Chanel No. 5
The Crash of 1929
Chanel during World War II: The Nazi Spy
Exile and Return
And much more!
38 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 26, 2020
159 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
About the author
Hourly History
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 21, 2022
She was a Nazi collaborator. No matter how hard the author tries to cover it up, she ignored the Nazi atrocities to further her own career. She was arrested by the French government after the war, but the English put pressure on the French to let her go. WHY?
]She died in France and it was poorly attended. Gee, I wonder why?
The author did his best to cover this nazi affair in as little detail as possible. However, you just can’t pretend her actions never happened.
]She died in France and it was poorly attended. Gee, I wonder why?
The author did his best to cover this nazi affair in as little detail as possible. However, you just can’t pretend her actions never happened.
December 12, 2020
A rags to riches story
Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel's life is a true rags-to-riches story. Her parents were not married, and when her mother died, Coco and her sister were placed in a charity convent, an orphanage. She received only a minimum of education but was taught to cook and sew.
When she left the convent, she found work as a seamstress. The rest is history, her independence, her success, her ability to perceive what women wanted. Coco designed loose, comfortable clothing, allowing women to shed the corset and bustle.
Chanel fashions had a timelessness that made them still stylish after 100 years. But the mainstay of her fortune was her designer perfume, Chanel No. 5.
1
Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel's life is a true rags-to-riches story. Her parents were not married, and when her mother died, Coco and her sister were placed in a charity convent, an orphanage. She received only a minimum of education but was taught to cook and sew.
When she left the convent, she found work as a seamstress. The rest is history, her independence, her success, her ability to perceive what women wanted. Coco designed loose, comfortable clothing, allowing women to shed the corset and bustle.
Chanel fashions had a timelessness that made them still stylish after 100 years. But the mainstay of her fortune was her designer perfume, Chanel No. 5.
1
October 4, 2024
Before reading this I knew very little about Coco Chanel:
-She was French
-She collaborated with the Nazis
-She was a fashion icon
-She was a "character" (to be euphemistic).
More things I learned after reading this short but effective bio.
-She grew up in great poverty and was effectively abandoned by her family when she was 11.
-He father was extremely neglectful and basically never showed her or her siblings any affection.
-While not especially beautiful she was very good at charming men.
-She had numerous lovers throughout her life, mostly wealthy aristocratic men.
-But her relationships were never stable, her love life was a bit of a disaster.
-Her reputation and career never recovered after World War 2, partly because of her nazi collaboration , partly because she was out of step with the fashion world.
More generally, reading made me reflect on how I am completely insensitive to the world of fashion, its history, the motivations involved, the psychology, etc.
Should I dress better?
-She was French
-She collaborated with the Nazis
-She was a fashion icon
-She was a "character" (to be euphemistic).
More things I learned after reading this short but effective bio.
-She grew up in great poverty and was effectively abandoned by her family when she was 11.
-He father was extremely neglectful and basically never showed her or her siblings any affection.
-While not especially beautiful she was very good at charming men.
-She had numerous lovers throughout her life, mostly wealthy aristocratic men.
-But her relationships were never stable, her love life was a bit of a disaster.
-Her reputation and career never recovered after World War 2, partly because of her nazi collaboration , partly because she was out of step with the fashion world.
More generally, reading made me reflect on how I am completely insensitive to the world of fashion, its history, the motivations involved, the psychology, etc.
Should I dress better?
February 18, 2021
Self-made women are rare and Coco Chanel paid dearly for her success. Going from a charity convent orphanage to the top of the fashion industry is a fascinating story. Coco succeeded because she was willing to work harder than others. Chanel's clothes are timeless but her real road to success was her perfume, Chanel No. 5.
However, Chanel did not experience a great deal of personal happiness. In fact, her romance with a German officer during WWII ruined her name in Paris. Actually, I thought she was lucky they didn't kill her; so many collaborators were killed in the streets. I liked that this book talks about Coco's failures as well as her successes. This makes for a more realistic biography.
However, Chanel did not experience a great deal of personal happiness. In fact, her romance with a German officer during WWII ruined her name in Paris. Actually, I thought she was lucky they didn't kill her; so many collaborators were killed in the streets. I liked that this book talks about Coco's failures as well as her successes. This makes for a more realistic biography.
November 14, 2020
This book was well written and covered many aspects of Coco Chanel's life. After reading it, I feel I have learned about her personal and business life, her thoughts, her fears and joys as she lived out her days from birth to death. I will forever be grateful to her, for her style that she imparted to the world!
I would recommend this well written book to anyone who is looking to learn about the life of Coco Chanel.
I would recommend this well written book to anyone who is looking to learn about the life of Coco Chanel.
February 7, 2023
This is a fascinating look at the legendary Coco Channel’s life. I admire her drive, ambition and focus that led her to overcome her humble beginnings and create her vast empire.
She revolutionized women’s fashion that up to then had been restrictive and created clothing that was practical and also simpler.
This concise book does an excellent job in giving us all the important highlights of her life.
She revolutionized women’s fashion that up to then had been restrictive and created clothing that was practical and also simpler.
This concise book does an excellent job in giving us all the important highlights of her life.
December 15, 2025
I always have been interested in Coco's history life, since I saw at the first time her influence around the world. The language is pretty simple to understand and fluid, turning it to a very fast read. I liked to learn more about people that influence the world even though are dead, but are legends.
August 4, 2020
Coco Chanel is still a legend
I enjoyed reading this book about one of my favorite designers. She lived a remarkable life and not let a man run her life. I especially want to know more about Arthur Capel. Such a tragic romance.
I enjoyed reading this book about one of my favorite designers. She lived a remarkable life and not let a man run her life. I especially want to know more about Arthur Capel. Such a tragic romance.
August 6, 2020
Coco Chanel a myth and a reality
Loved this history and read it in a bit more than an hour ...why? Because I wanted to know who Miss Chanel really was. Thanks Hourly History for making reading biographies affordable and most importantly very interesting.
Loved this history and read it in a bit more than an hour ...why? Because I wanted to know who Miss Chanel really was. Thanks Hourly History for making reading biographies affordable and most importantly very interesting.
August 16, 2020
From bottom to top
Coco channel went from being an orphan to a household name in a very few years. It was interesting finding out about her designer dresses and her life at the top of the designer world.
Coco channel went from being an orphan to a household name in a very few years. It was interesting finding out about her designer dresses and her life at the top of the designer world.
March 1, 2021
Fashion was her passion.
Hourly history freebie. Suitable for all ages. A brief glimpse into the life of Coco Chanel. Once considered the most fashionable woman in all of paris. A tough act to follow, an easy woman to copy.
Hourly history freebie. Suitable for all ages. A brief glimpse into the life of Coco Chanel. Once considered the most fashionable woman in all of paris. A tough act to follow, an easy woman to copy.
May 25, 2022
Chanel, a classic
Amazing read. Being a fan of Coco Chanel, this book says so much in few words. Easy read. Couldn’t put it down until fully read. Coco was a sophisticated woman who shared her love of fashion.
Amazing read. Being a fan of Coco Chanel, this book says so much in few words. Easy read. Couldn’t put it down until fully read. Coco was a sophisticated woman who shared her love of fashion.
February 11, 2023
Good intro for further reading.
Ok. Good, quick beginner read on Channel. I had no idea she supposedly was a Nazi collaborator. But who knows the truth of that? Powerful women are always guilty of something, right?
Ok. Good, quick beginner read on Channel. I had no idea she supposedly was a Nazi collaborator. But who knows the truth of that? Powerful women are always guilty of something, right?
July 23, 2023
A Good Summary
she was an enthusiastic collaborator. I cannot forget that. An opportunist who survived. Did she betray anyone? I understand people still need to survive but she sure got along well w awful Nazis.
she was an enthusiastic collaborator. I cannot forget that. An opportunist who survived. Did she betray anyone? I understand people still need to survive but she sure got along well w awful Nazis.
July 14, 2024
Living her life her way
Pretty unique life lived very independently. Very pragmatic in regard to men, women, family, and politics. Very inventive, artistic, chic, and French. Had to be a fascinating and attractive personality, somebody I would have liked to know.
Pretty unique life lived very independently. Very pragmatic in regard to men, women, family, and politics. Very inventive, artistic, chic, and French. Had to be a fascinating and attractive personality, somebody I would have liked to know.
January 10, 2021
Succinct biography
I thoroughly enjoyed this hours read providing a succinct history of the life of Coco Channel. I now know alot more about the background of the Channel brand.
I thoroughly enjoyed this hours read providing a succinct history of the life of Coco Channel. I now know alot more about the background of the Channel brand.
December 22, 2021
Easy read and detailed.
I really don't know what to say. I enjoyed the book a lot. I liked that it was compact yet but leaving out important details.
I really don't know what to say. I enjoyed the book a lot. I liked that it was compact yet but leaving out important details.
November 14, 2022
Spectacular
A woman ahead her time. Coco Channel prove that everyone can reach their dreams if is passionate enough with it.
A woman ahead her time. Coco Channel prove that everyone can reach their dreams if is passionate enough with it.
April 15, 2023
Just seen this book.in guneet kals wanting to read in list.of g u n e e t k a l s aka brother Martin childhood g i r l f r i n d and guneet kals could be future w i f e of brother Martin too
August 20, 2024
Excellent
Well written, informative, easy to read! I was surprised to discover that the current owners of Chanel actually screwed her over, shame on them.
Well written, informative, easy to read! I was surprised to discover that the current owners of Chanel actually screwed her over, shame on them.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews