From the time I learned to read, and throughout my teens, I always participated in a summer reading program. Summer was when I could read whatever I wanted just for the pure joy of reading. This summer, I have decided to create a summer reading list. The first book that I am reading at the moment is entitled, "The Gospel According To Coco Chanel."
There are no photographs, but each chapter is highlighted with a delightful sketch and a few words of Chanel wisdom as you may have read in my last
Sunday Night Reflections post..
The book talks about Channel's early years and how she was shaped by the nuns who raised her and the environment of the orphanage where she grew up.
Beginning as a milliner. her story it seems was always one of being in the right place at the right time and never being afraid to take a chance. While other designers were still trying to dress women in heavy, corseted clothing, Chanel bought jersey and made simple skirts and jackets.
There are very few aspects about how we dress today that did not originate with Chanel.
Chanel created fashion, but more importantly, she created style, a style that is effortless and easy. Many of the pieces that she created are just as beautiful today as they were the day they were created, like the gown below. And remember, we have Chanel to thank for the little black dress!
I love this vintage picture. A simple white sweater paired with skinny black pants, a few pearls, and we immediately think Chanel.
So if you enjoy fashion, Chanel, or just reading about how someone became to be the icon that they were, "The Gospel According To Chanel" is an interesting book that I think you might enjoy. I found the book purely by accident while just skimming the shelves at my local library.
In an upcoming post, I'll share the other books I have chosen to read over the summer. It's quite a motley mix!!!!
Hope you are finding something delightful and special to do over the summer months.
Rhonda
No summer here! But winter is also a time to snuggle up and read a good book.
ReplyDeleteTrue :)
DeleteI sooooooo want this book
ReplyDeleteIt's been a very enjoyable read. I'm just a little over half way through the book and I'm really looking forward to reading the rest!
DeleteHow I love a good read! I've ordered this from my library and am looking forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteSince I haven't finished the book, i don't know how it ends, but she also talks about The Chanel years versus the Karl Lagerfeld years, and the pursuit of an original Chanel jacket. Intriguing ;)
DeleteI JUST finished Dr. Ben Carson's book "Gifted Hands". An amazing, gifted man who cares so much about other people. Thanks so much for the info. I will look into that book.
ReplyDeleteHugs, Joy
Well, this is a very different read, but fun :)
DeleteI've loved many of Chanel's looks for most of my life and there is no doubt that she revolutionized fashion. Her past was complex and challenging, however, particularly her relationship with the Nazi occupation of Paris. The Hotel at Place Vendome is a fascinating book about the role of The Hotel Ritz in Paris during that time. A portion of the book relates to Coco Chanel and her activities during the occupation. She was, and remains, a world-class coutierer and I do not mean to diminish her design work in any way. For those who would like to better understand the political and social environment of the day, however, The Hotel at Place Vendome will be an interesting read.
ReplyDeleteI too love that very classic look of the white sweater, and slim black pant. Less is more sometimes, and this is a great example. Sounds like you have your own book club going. I'm inspired, and think I'm going to check to see if I can find something on my of my fav style icons Diane von Furstenberg.
ReplyDeleteI've got to read that book! I love Coco's classic style - - It still inspires today, as does her life's work. There's a video on u-tube that shows how they construct each Chanel couture jacket - quite intimidating :).
ReplyDeleteI will check my library to see if I can get that, if not it looks worth buying. Chanel was such a game changer.
ReplyDeleteI too love the style of Chanel, it is so effortless and chic. I did not know that she was an orphan. Like Cynthia Baudendistel pointed out above she did have a life that challenges, certainly me, to reconcile her actions with her "art". Thanks for the book review. I do love a good read and will look out for this one. xxxx
ReplyDeleteI too always found summer the time to read a lot of books as well as winter. Heck I read all the time. I have not seen this book about Chanel; I may check to see if my library has a copy. Thanks for posting this.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to see if I can find this book. Our library is so small............I have one book (the name escapes me now) where there are lots of photos. In addition to thinking of her with black/white, I also think of Audrey Hepburn....not a designer, of course, but one of my favorite actresses! As always, thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this Rhonda. I'm a big Chanel fan and almost had an out of body experience when, in Paris we visited the store on Rue Cambon and one of the sales girls sneeked me in to see the famous staircase !!!What a thrill !
ReplyDeleteI have this book on Kindle and loved reading it. I am a major Chanel fan, so another book that I love about Chanel is "Coco Chanel, An Intimate Life."
ReplyDeleteOh la la, such beautiful images.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was teaching, I was always excited for Summer vacation so I could read for enjoyment as well. You've really peaked my interest with this one. I'm looking forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteMy library does not have this book...I will have to search farther afield! But we do have a few other interesting fashion reads; I think I'll get some for my holidays :) I'm just finishing up The History of the Paper Pattern Industry & will be talking about it a bit on my blog when I'm through. Overall it is interesting & I love the illustrations, however, I would have loved even more ;)
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