Coco Chanel

January 29, 2018
In this handsomely designed biography, Rubin (Maya Lin: Thinking with Her Hands) offers a succinct, balanced portrayal of controversial haute couturière Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel (1883–1971). After an impoverished start in life, the young milliner—reputed for her charm, temper, business acumen, and lies—turned her eye for comfort and simple lines into the House of Chanel, thanks to financial and emotional support from a series of rich men. Chanel’s working methods were unconventional: rather than draw her designs, she cut and pinned them directly on models herself. Known best for the “little black dress” and her signature perfume, Chanel also innovated the use of “masculine fabrics” and the adaptation of men’s styles to women’s clothing. With her success threatened in the 1930s by strikes, the advent of Elsa Schiaparelli, and war, Chanel closed her shop until finally, in 1954, she again produced, as one critic put it, “timeless clothes... which always look elegant.” Striving to redeem her subject, Rubin provides an even-handed discussion of Chanel’s possible collaboration with the Nazis and other wartime activities, but the book’s lasting impression is of an egotistical and opportunistic design genius. Ages 10–14.

February 1, 2018

Gr 5-8-This slim work on the life and legacy of Coco Chanel begins in 1883, the year of her birth. Coco, nee Gabrielle, was born into poverty and deposited at age 11 in a Catholic orphanage. It was there that she learned a sense of austerity that she later translated to the simple, clean lines of the clothes she designed. Chanel was an industrious self-starter who worked her way from seamstress to hat maker. As she expanded her range, she was credited with originating the little black dress, trousers made for women, costume jewelry, and-perhaps most importantly-liberating women from their corsets and girdles. Rubin's simple, straightforward writing conveys not only the high styles of wealthy European women in the 1900s but also provides a glimpse into the limitations women faced during that time. Though Chanel was immersed in the world of women's fashion, it was an industry dominated by male designers. Furthermore, she had to rely on men to finance her at the start of her career and, later, for the production of her iconic Chanel No5 perfume. Rubin's work also depicts the broader historical context of European life for the upper class during and between the two world wars, including information on Chanel's anti-Semitism and rumors that she was a Nazi sympathizer. Photos and illustrations throughout visually complement Rubin's detailed descriptions of Chanel's designs. VERDICT A well-researched primer packed with details on a significant trailblazer. Give to readers interested in fashion, business, and history.-Melissa Kazan, Horace Mann School, NY

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 15, 2018
In a warts-and-all biography, Rubin introduces readers to Coco Chanel, one of the most well-known fashion designers in the world, whose brand epitomized elegance and good taste. Beginning with the difficult years Chanel spent in an orphanage, Rubin traces her development as a designer and focuses on the obstacles Chanel faced as a financially independent woman in an era when women were expected to marry. Rubin highlights some of Chanel's memorable firsts for the fashion industry, including the little black dress, the quilted purse with gold chain, and the perfume Chanel No. 5. She also chronicles Chanel's intense competition with Italian fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli. Rubin does not hold back in discussing the unpleasant aspects of her subject. She was an outspoken anti-Semite throughout her life; Rubin traces this to Chanel's stay at the orphanage during a time when Catholic institutions taught children to hate Jews. While France was occupied during World War II, Chanel dated a German intelligence officer and demonstrated little sympathy for French Jews facing persecution but did not suffer the consequences of other collaborators after liberation. Fittingly, the design of the book is gorgeous, with herringbone-tweed backgrounds to the text pages and Art Deco-inspired flourishes framing pull quotes; it is amply illustrated with archival photographs.An intriguing, well-rounded portrait of a fascinating woman whose many important contributions to art and fashion remain popular today. (bibliography, source notes, index) (Biography. 10-14)

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March 15, 2018
Grades 6-9 Jaunty and elegant, Coco Chanel was a study in classic contrasts. A self-made woman worth millions at the height of her success, she grew up in poverty?a fact she often lied about to protect her image. A designer and advocate of clothes that freed women's bodies from corsets and pain, she made her mark early with iconic designs and a signature perfume. Her questionable alliance with a Nazi spy during WWII cast her legacy into doubt until a 1950s comeback. Rubin's biography is clear-sighted about Chanel's faults while extolling her fashion genius. Her source notes and bibliography are meticulous, as is the book's design, which is liberally illustrated with photographs and fashion drawings of Chanel's simply tailored suits, little black dresses, flat chic hats, jersey sportswear, and, of course, pearls. Emphasizing Chanel's clean design choices, the text is set off by quotes pulled from the narrative and framed in art-deco style, subtle chevron backgrounds, and chapter breaks of simple geometric design. This will attract young fashion mavens eager to learn about design history.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)

January 1, 2019
The trajectory of the French fashion designer's life and successful career is outlined in a well-researched, highly readable biography. Rubin addresses the darker parts of Chanel's history--her childhood in an orphanage, her relationship with a Nazi intelligence officer--as well as her iconic industry "firsts," including women's suits and the little black dress. The elegantly designed volume includes plenty of photographs. Bib., ind.

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