"Paris, 1938. Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli ("Schiap") are fighting for recognition as the most successful and influential fashion designer in France, and their rivalry is already legendary. They oppose each other at every turn, in both their politics and their designs: Chanel's are classic, elegant, and practical; Schiaparelli's bold, experimental, and surreal. Lily Cooper, a recently widowed American teacher, travels to Paris to visit her brother, Charlie, and try to move on from the loss of her husband. On her first ...
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"Paris, 1938. Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli ("Schiap") are fighting for recognition as the most successful and influential fashion designer in France, and their rivalry is already legendary. They oppose each other at every turn, in both their politics and their designs: Chanel's are classic, elegant, and practical; Schiaparelli's bold, experimental, and surreal. Lily Cooper, a recently widowed American teacher, travels to Paris to visit her brother, Charlie, and try to move on from the loss of her husband. On her first day there, Charlie insists on buying her a couture dress for her birthday--a Chanel. Lily reluctantly agrees but wants a Schiaparelli, not a Chanel. Charlie's Jewish girlfriend, Ania, one of the most beautiful and prominent women in Paris, begins wearing Schiap's designs as well, and soon much of Paris is following in her footsteps. Adding insult to injury, Chanel has her eye on Baron von Dincklage, the head of Nazi propaganda in Paris, with whom Ania is also involved. Schiap takes an interest in Lily and offers the budding artist a job at her shop. Suddenly, Lily finds herself wrapped up with Schiap and her personal war with Chanel. And as their fierce competition reaches new and dangerous heights, another war is looming on their doorstep and getting closer every day"--
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Seller's Description:
Very Good. Signed Copy First edition copy. Collectible-Very Good. Very Good dust jacket. Inscribed by author on title page. (historical fiction, biographical fiction, fashion designers, socialites, 1930s)
Edition:
First Edition stated, First Printing by numberline
Language:
English
Alibris ID:
15618232157
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Seller's Description:
New York, Berkley, 2019, hardcover, 335 pp, First Edition stated, First Printing by numberline, New. Straight, tight and clean with no wear or markings in new unclipped dustjacket bearing original price. The popular author of The Beautiful American returns with the story of Paris in the 30s, as an American woman becomes entangled in the intense rivalry between the two iconic fashion designers while the Nazis and the threat of WWII loom over the city.
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Seller's Description:
No highlighting markings or writing. Pages and cover clean and intact. Used book in very good conditions. Minor cosmetic defects may be present. May include library marks.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
No highlighting markings or writing. Pages and cover clean and intact. Used book in very good conditions. Minor cosmetic defects may be present. May include library marks.
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Book is in good condition and may contain underlining or highlighting and minimal wear. The book can also include library labels. May not contain miscellaneous items (toys, dvds, etc). We offer 100% money back guarantee and fast customer support.
ââ?¬Å"The only thing worse than having people talk about you is not having them talk about you- Oscar Wildeââ?¬Â?
As a plus sized woman, I would have never fit into either Chanel or Schiaparelli, but that has never stopped my love of all things couture, especially Chanel. In this book, the story of French couture houses before, during and after World War 2, focuses on the two doyennes of Fashion: the simple clean Chanel and the harlequinesque Schiaparelli, how the rules the fashion world despite their politics and the rivalry. It trickled down from these two powerhouses to the women they designed for. One would never be caught in the other�s designs in a world that sized you up based on how you looked. Jeanne Mackin tells this story through women's� eyes; through one particular artist�s eyes, having her befriend both rivals. However, Lily Sutter is also in love with Paris, who becomes as much a rival for her attention as well as another character in the book.
It seems most historical fiction these days is sharply focused on war stories, as if they arenââ?¬â?¢t captured in some form, we might lose them. Even without Paris, ââ?¬Å"The Last Collectionââ?¬Â? sparkles as much as a glass flute of champagne. This was a library loan, but there will come a time where this book will hold pride of place in my small collection of Chanel books. Highly readable and recommended 5/5
[I received this book from the author and voluntarily chose to read and review it]
