Coco Chanel

If you are interested in (Gabrielle/Coco) Chanel style, this book is a must have! It is an exquisite (a word I seldom use!) capsule frozen in time of pictures taken by one Douglas Kirkland in 1962. It does not purport to be anything other than that and as such it is a uniquely beautiful "moment" captured for future generations. Kirkland was a young photographer just beginning his career when he was assigned by Look Magazine, the premium photo magazine of its day, to go to Paris and photograph Chanel at work on her upcoming collection. Novice photographer and established Grande "Mademoiselle" of style viewed each other warily at first, until he earned her trust by taking models out and photographing them in situations throughout 'the City of Light'. Their relationship lasted a mere three weeks, as the title implies, for he was at the beginning of his decades long career and she was coming into the closing years of hers. But what a magical and magnificent three weeks we are given to share in! This book has very little print, other than a Foreword by Judith Thurman and a six page Introduction to the volume by Kirkland. And yet I have spent hours poring over the wonderful images which Kirkland captured during that brief moment in time. As a photographic 'essay' it is flawless; yet even more amazing is the timelessness of the woman and her sense of style. There is not a single item presented here that would not feel 'just right' on the street or in the upper echelons of society today. And that is the genius of Gabrielle Chanel. She left us with a truly Classic way of dressing, (unencumbered by the sometimes outrageous contemporary Chanel offerings of Karl Lagerfeld!) She sometimes pushed the envelope when it came to style (for instance pants on women when that simply wasn't done.) And yet even at her most 'shocking' she held to an exemplary sense of the lovely and the wearable. And that is perhaps her greatest gift to future generations: she gave us loveliness accompanied by comfort and bridged the gap from restrictive ostentation to comfortable chic. There will never be another one like her, and if you want to know the essence of who she was, this book will give you a peek into both the public and the private woman who was "Chanel".

Great book. My wife is a big Chanel fan and loved the journal of the days spent with Coco, as well as the great photos. Definitely would recommendthis item.

This is an interesting piece if you are a Chanel afficianado.

I was disapointed in this book. I thought it would have much more about the authors written experience with Coco over the 3 weeks they spent together. Its a picture book. The pictures are good however Coco wears the same suit in every picture.

A very interesting look behind the scenes at Chanel. Not as much text as I would like, but very interesting to see her at work. A bit over-priced, but then, it's connected with the name CHANEL, so you expect it.

This book was beautiful! It came to me in perfect condition and I am very happy with my purchase. The use of materials and colors are what drove me to purchase this book.

not what expected. Very little text.

For all serious Coco Chanel fans. She is a timeless treasure who took on the world against all odds! Merci, Patricia in Front Royal, VA

Très bien .