Synopses & Reviews
Delving into the long, extraordinary life of renowned French fashion designer Coco Chanel, Karen Karbo has written a new kind of book, exploring Chanels philosophy on a range of universal themes—from style to passion, from money and success to femininity and living life on your own terms.
Born in 1883 in a poorhouse in southern France to unmarried parents, Chanel was raised in a convent after her mother died when she was six and her father abandoned her. The nuns taught her to sew, and while working as a café singer in the early 1900s she began designing hats for fun. Her lovers included a wealthy English industrialist, who helped her set up her own millinery shop and steered his society friends her way.
Chanel grew up to be the woman who not only gave us the little black dress and boxy jackets, but also popularized pants for women and easy, practical clothes that allowed women a chic freedom theyd never known before. In her strong-headed, elegant, opinionated, passionate, entirely French way, Coco Chanel helped bring women into the modern era. She was the only fashion icon to be named one of Time magazines 100 Most Influential People of the 20th Century.
The Gospel According to Coco Chanel is a captivating, offbeat look at style, celebrity, and self-invention—all held together with Karbos droll Chanel-style commentary and culled from an examination of Chanels difficult childhood and triumphant adulthood, passionate love affairs, career choices, habits, eccentricities, and personal philosophies. Weaving Chanels life story into chapter themes that subtly convey life lessons, and with Chesley McLarens charming illustrations, it will leave the reader utterly entranced with, and inspired by, Chanels amazing individuality, confidence, and determination.
Review
Reading Karbo is like listening to a dear friend talk about the legendary designer over brunch.”Los Angeles Times
Were in a period of Coco-worship, with a number of new books and films about her. But before you overdose, check out The Gospel for useful insights into some of the strategies and traits that made Ms. Chanel a mogul. . . . [T]he humorous commentary makes it all worthwhile.”Wall Street Journal
This is a book for fashionistas everywhere; those who love to read about the fashion legacy that continues to inspire women all over the world.”Creators.com
Anyone with a good sense of humor should hugely enjoy, or should I say enjoie, Karen Karbos funny and stylish take on Coco Chanel. Like a little black dress, this handy life guide will take you from day into evening. K.K. on C.C.: oui, oui!”
Henry Alford, author of How to Live
Wise, witty, and refreshingly colloquial, The Gospel According to Coco Chanel is an enchanting tour through the complex, often controversial life of fashion icon Chanel. Filled with relevant life lessons for the modern woman, this book is Karbo at her irrepressible best.”Hilary Black, editor of The Secret Currency of Love
No writer has a better understanding of what it means to be Chanel and what it means to be a woman who admires Chanel than Karen Karbo, author of the short and addictive The Gospel According to Coco Chanel.” HeadButler.com
Review
andldquo;Seriously, there is a ton of good stuff in this book. Designers were asked questions on topics ranging from career advice to shopping tips, and the answers run the gamut from hilarious to sweet.andrdquo;
Review
andldquo;From tips and tricks for breaking into fashion to essential wardrobe items to favorite words of wisdom,andnbsp;The Pursuit of Styleandnbsp;gives you a glimpse inside the fashion worldandrsquo;s most creative minds and offers an endless amount of inspiration.andrdquo;
Review
andldquo;Inspiration never looked so chic.andrdquo;
Review
andldquo;With designers revealing everything from their favorite muses (Rachelandrsquo;s are Jane Birkin and Brigitte Bardot), to their top shopping destinations, this is sure to be the fashion-loverandrsquo;s gift this summer. We recommend stocking up on a few copies for graduation and hostess gifts.andrdquo;
Review
andldquo;Illustrated by Bill Donovan with an introduction by Jessica Alba and a foreword byandnbsp;von Furstenberg and CFDA CEO Steven Kolb, The Pursuit of Style is basically a whoandrsquo;s who in the style world.andrdquo;
Synopsis
Delving into the extraordinary life of renowned French fashion designer Coco Chanel, Karen Karbo has written a new kind of self-help book, exploring Chanels philosophy on a range of universal themesfrom style to passion, from money and success to femininity and living life on your own terms.
Synopsis
Life, Love, and the Pursuit of Style is an all-new, origiand#173;nal collection of clever, charming, and often hilarious musings from American fashionand#8217;s biggest designers. The book culls the best pieces of advice and insight from a survey conducted by the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) of its 400-plus members, including Diane von Furstenberg, Zac Posen, Betsey Johnson, Narciso Rodriguez, Donna Karan, and Ralph Lauren, among many others. From tips and tricks for breaking into a fashion career, to essential wardrobe items, to favorite words of wisdom, this book provides a glimpse inside the fashion worldand#8217;s most creative minds and offers readers an endless amount of inspiration. Illustrated by Bil Donovan, this stylish package is the must-have fashion gift book of the season.
About the Author
Karen Karbo is the author of three novels, all of which were named New York Times Notable Books; and four nonfiction books, including How to Hepburn. Her writings have appeared in the New York Times, Elle, and Vogue, and on salon.com. She lives in Portland, Oregon. Chesley McLaren, known as The French Illustrator in New York” for her Francophile style, has also worked as a Fifth Avenue fashion designer.
Exclusive Essay
Read an exclusive essay by Karen Karbo