From the Bookshelf of Retro Chapter Chicks …

Mademoiselle Chanel

C.W. Gortner

Start date: April 1, 2016

Finish date: April 30, 2016

Discussion leader: Kris (My Novelesque Life)

Why we're reading this: Our member suggested and selected book for April's theme: fashion!…more
[close] Our member suggested and selected book for April's theme: fashion!

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Mar 14, 2016 Candi rated it really liked it

Shelves: historical-fiction

"I wasn't born of peasant stock for nothing. Since fortune was dragging its heels, I would lure it out with my hard work. Then who knew what I might achieve?"

This fictionalized account of the life of world renowned Coco Chanel was very well written and quite illuminating. Prior to reading this, I knew very little about this forward thinking icon of the fashion world. I believe C.W. Gortner skillfully provides the reader with the details necessary to make a judgment regarding our own personal fee "I wasn't born of peasant stock for nothing. Since fortune was dragging its heels, I would lure it out with my hard work. Then who knew what I might achieve?"

This fictionalized account of the life of world renowned Coco Chanel was very well written and quite illuminating. Prior to reading this, I knew very little about this forward thinking icon of the fashion world. I believe C.W. Gortner skillfully provides the reader with the details necessary to make a judgment regarding our own personal feelings about this complex woman's motivations and actions. While reading this, what I came to admire most about Coco Chanel, born Gabrielle Chanel, was her determination. Her rags-to-riches story was very inspiring. She knew what she wanted, and she set out to achieve her goals. I am not much of a fashionista, but I really enjoyed reading about her creations and applaud her practicality and simplicity. After World War I, she noted that women did not want to feel restricted by their clothing. Instead, they wanted the freedom to dress stylishly yet comfortably. In 1926 she introduced the little black dress and was praised by Vogue magazine with the prediction that this article of clothing "will become standard for the masses, much like Ford's motorcar." How true this notion even today!

Coco Chanel was not one to settle down and yield to what was expected of a woman during her times. She had an interesting procession of lovers and also a good share of heartache as a result. I get the impression from reading this that Chanel came across as a hard woman, perhaps unfeeling at times. But here we see her grieving over her losses while still presenting herself as a strong woman to those on the outside. She balked at conformity and sought freedom not just in dress but in aspirations for women as well - "even as I worked my fingers to the bone to liberate women from our cloth chains, our minds remained as closed as ever to the possibility that we might deserve more than a husband, children, and growing old cooking sausage."

This book addresses the controversy surrounding her involvement with the Nazis during the occupation of Paris; however, her true motive was perhaps really only known to Chanel herself. The perspective presented here was certainly thought-provoking and offers one hypothesis. Admittedly, I am not educated enough on the various theories and cannot suggest that I have formed an opinion about this part of her life. I will certainly not attempt to present an idea here! Nevertheless, it is an intriguing topic of debate.

At times, I felt a little bogged down in the second half of the book – once Chanel achieved her success, I lost just a morsel of interest. This did not change my overall regard for the book, however, and I would not hesitate to recommend this to anyone interested in reading more about this influential figure – whether or not you are enticed by fashion! 3.5 stars rounded to 4.
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Jul 06, 2016 Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Jenn Ƹ̴Ӂ̴Ʒ Schu rated it really liked it

Shelves: biography

Interesting story on the life of Chanel. Found her rise as a business woman fascinating. She was a complicated woman; embittered and vengeful with her perfumery, a lover on her terms, and a collaborator with the enemy. I respect that she is a pioneer of women's fashion and created delightful as well as functional designs, I can't imagine the little black dress ever disappearing from fashion. But, I will never respect her work with the Nazis. She lacked business ethic and was heartless when it ca ...more

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