Coco Chanel Special Edition: The Illustrated World of a Fashion Icon

by Megan Hess

A special enlarged edition of the international bestseller Coco The Illustrated World of a Fashion Icon celebrating 50 years since Coco's death, 100 years of Chanel No.5 and five years since the original release of this beautiful illustrated biography from globally renowned illustrator Megan Hess.

Discover the story of Coco's amazing early life, the iconic fashion empire that she built, and the legacy that the left behind, brought to life with Megan's stylish and whimsical illustrations.

The special edition features a larger format, beautiful new cover and a ribbon.

Genres: Fashion, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir, Biography

208 pages, Hardcover

Published June 1, 2021

About the author

Megan Hess was destined to draw.

An initial career in graphic design evolved into art direction for some of the world’s leading design agencies. In 2008 Hess illustrated the New York Times number one selling book Sex And The City - written by Candace Bushnell. She has since illustrated portraits for Vanity Fair and Time, created iconic accessories for Henri Bendel and illustrated the windows of Bergdorf Goodman in New York.

Hess’s signature style can also be found on her bespoke range of silk scarves, cushions and Limited Edition prints sold around the globe.

She has written and illustrated 3 best selling books: Fashion House, The Dress and Coco Chanel.

Her renowned clients include: Prada, Dior, Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., Yves Saint Laurent, Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Fendi, Ladurée, Givenchy, Wedgwood, Salvatore Ferragamo, Michelle Obama, Cartier, Laduree, Montblanc, Balenciaga, Guerlain, Paspaley, Tag Heuer, and Disney.

Reviews

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been a busy bee today! Tbf these books don’t take long to read at all mostly because they are heavily illustrated. Each one took about an hour each to read but they are beautiful and tell the stories of each designer so well. Good job Megan Hess!!

Of all the books in this series so far Coco Chanel is my favourite that’s why I saved her until last. Chanel is an inspirational woman who changed the world of fashion immensely. As with Dior for me it’s not about the individual items Chanel designed but about the impact she had on the industry that I find amazing.

I’m totally in amazement as to how a Designer can go from poverty to being so influential in the world. From a marketing and branding perspective it’s an incredible achievement. Her story is one of heartbreak and strength, with determination at the forefront of her success. I absolutely loved it.

Designer brands thrive on emotion, it’s the way you feel when you have one of their items and that emotion stems from a magical illusion that they create. Her items are the epitome of class and style so it’s only natural for women to feel sophisticated and powerful in the presence of work.

Chanel was the origin of a staple item in every woman’s wardrobe… the Little Black Dress (thank you coco) 🙏 and when icons like Marilyn Monroe say all she wears to bed is Chanel No. 5, I mean that’s pretty much a win isn’t it … every designer who creates a perfume would kill for a review like that! 😂

I for one love Keira Knightly so the Coco Mademoiselle advert was perfect to get me fascinated with the brand … again perfect advertising. Do I want to be Lizzie Bennet from Pride and Prejudice… yes I do haha 😂 💕 I’m definitely more fascinated with the history of the brand than the items themselves but I have total respect for the house of Chanel. Amazing design achievements. 🙏

I also love how all of these stories have some link back to Paris … my favourite place in the world. ❤️❤️❤️

[Julia Borazo · Rating 3 out of 5]

“It is always better to be slightly underdressed.”
— Coco Chanel

If you’re drawn to the world of Coco Chanel, this book offers a charming and visually rich glimpse into her legacy. Rather than a dense biography, it feels like stepping into a curated fashion archive—light, elegant, and thoughtfully composed.

Coco Chanel: The Illustrated World of a Fashion Icon by Megan Hess stands out for its refined illustrations, which beautifully capture the spirit of Chanel’s aesthetic: understated, timeless, and effortlessly sophisticated. The narrative itself is accessible and serves as a graceful introduction to her influence on modern fashion.

Personally, I’ve always been drawn to the classic approach of maisons like Chanel and Dior, and this book reflects that same sense of restraint and elegance. It doesn’t try to overwhelm with detail, but instead invites you to appreciate the essence of Chanel’s vision.

A perfect choice if you’re looking for something inspiring, visually beautiful, and rooted in the idea that true style is enduring rather than extravagant.

[Dana · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first half of the twentieth century was a time that saw a dramatic shift in the role of the sexes. Chanel’s gamine silhouette and shortened hemlines, now synonymous with the brand, allowed women to discard their corsets and embrace modernism. Chanel was a woman who designed for other women, delivering garments that mirrored their changing role in society.

No tenía idea de lo influyente que es esta mujer en el mundo de la moda. Siempre creí que era apenas una diseñadora más, alguien que simplemente fue importante en su momento y que su marca se mantenía como sinónimo de glamour; que solo podía interesar (en un sentido más erudito) a quienes estén metidos en el mundo del diseño de indumentaria.

It was dubbed the ‘Ford’ dress, after the era’s democratic black Model T automobile. Just like the car, the Little Black Dress was simple and accessible for women of every class. The simple, unstructured design in unlined crêpe de chine, accented by four diagonal stripes, was decidedly unfussy and became, according to Vogue, ‘a sort of a uniform for all women of taste’.

Claramente estaba totalmente errada.

Coco Chanel resultó ser quien marcó un antes y un después en nuestra manera de entender la belleza, la elegancia y el estilo... en especial para las mujeres. Fue tan grande que a día de hoy se mantiene su influencia. Hay cosas que una tiene totalmente interiorizadas y que, resulta, son gracias a ella.

What separated Coco Chanel from other designers was her originality and her sheer will to never steer away from the vision that she so strongly believed in.

Los dibujos en este libro me parecieron hermosos y me gustó como los intercalaba con el texto. El ritmo es también muy bueno (me lo leí en apenas horas), pero creo que hubiese estado bien terminarlo con la muerte de Coco.

[Louise · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are lovely and the little additives of text accompany them well. It was good to have an insight into Coco Chanel. It’s made me realise just where her morals were during WW2 and it’s no wonder after the war she felt the need to flee France and only return 10 years later. I won’t be buying anymore from Chanel for the way she behaved during WW2.

[Book Dragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stunning fashion illustrations and interesting overview about Chanel, her life and inspirations and the brand. Beautiful gold gilt edges make this a stunning coffee table book or perfect gift for the fashionista. Just a beautiful book all round

[ST · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations and succinct summary of the iconic fashion designer

[Hayels Pridham-Thatcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Que · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy read with very nice illustrations. This is the first fashion book that I owned and now I have 4 books by Megan Hess and I plan to collect all of them. They look really good in my living room!

[yuanyi · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK IS GAS

[Gabriella Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful book and fun read (not surprised with Megan Hess)! I just personally don’t find Chanel’s life very inspiring.

[Yulia Dibrovska · Rating 5 out of 5]

A feast for my eyes. Very elegant and inspiring. The esencial story about Chanel, woman and brand.

[Morgan Spurlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick, cute read

[Liz Gonzales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book giving an overview of her like. Read it in one setting.

[Jaiden Plouffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute introduction book to Chanel her life and her brand, great for beginners getting into fashion and the illustrations are amazing

[LOVENA · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very nice book, with inspiring facts and beautiful illustrations!
Love it!