Member Reviews

This book is a good overview of Coco's style and how to apply it to your own style. The suggestions are informative and the photographs are wonderful. I enjoyed it

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"What Coco Chanel Can Teach You About Fashion" by Caroline Young is a beautifully crafted and informative exploration of one of fashion's most iconic figures. This book offers a fresh perspective on Chanel's life, work, and enduring legacy, focusing on the principles and inspirations that drove her innovative designs.

This book is not just for Chanel enthusiasts but for anyone interested in fashion history and the evolution of women's wear. It provides practical fashion advice and showcases how Chanel's unique vision continues to influence modern style.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

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Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

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Obsessed with fashion and with Chanel. This wasn’t exactly what I was looking for in a book but I enjoyed it all the same and would recommend if you have any interest in fashion or in Chanel.

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I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

What Coco Chanel Can Teach You About Fashion is a gorgeous and informative read about Coco Chsnel and her passion for fashion. This book covers everything from how Coco learned to sew from being taught by Nuns at an orphanage, to how and where she got inspiration for her fashion styles and designs. Coco created such amazing fashion designs that are timeless and chic. She made such an impact on shaping women's fashion which wasn't without risks back then. The photographs in this book are amazing and I devoured this book in one day!

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Caroline Young is a great fashion historian. This is another fabulous addition to your fashion library. She gives a thorough explanation of Chanel's importance and impact in the historical progression of women's fashion and progression in society. I didn't think I could possibly need another book about Chanel but I was happy to be wrong.

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I received a digital advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.

An absolutely beautiful book! where it gave me a gorgeous insight into the person behind the name, the legacy. The book very much focused on Chanel the designer and her fashion influences rather than a biography. Still though, a gorgeous informative book. I imagine this, in a hardcover, on a coffee table. Such an inspiring, role model.

I especially enjoyed about reading how Chanel was inspired by the convent and the Nuns. How she was taught impeccable stitches by Cistercian Nuns, and how as a little orphan, little Gabrielle Chanel in the late 1890s, surrounded by mystical symbols in France's medievil Aubazine Abbey, embraced her talented sewing and esoteric beliefs and turned them into a fashion revolution of the new century. Where we still adore and cherish today. I would have liked to have seen photographs of all the things that inspired Chanel, including Aubazine Abbey including The windows, the tone walls, the stars and corridors etc. I had to google these so I could get the complete picture of her inspiration.

Coco's fashion empire evolution included the LBDs ( Little black dresses), Highlands' inspired tailored Tweed Suits, layers of pearls and Byzantine - inspired jewelry,as well as her renowned scents - especially her classics, Chanel No.5 and Mademoiselle Chanel (my all time favorite perfume and one I wore on my Wedding Day). Reading this book I learnt why the hooked backward CCs; the colors black, white, grey and beige, the number five had played such a pivotal role in the life and designs of Coco Chanel. Coco truly is one who changed how women dress - where she created pieces that were timeless, luxurious, affordable, and stylish, Where simple lines, soft tailoring and embellishments were used to complete the stunning outfits. Coco wasn't afraid to take risks, and I am sure, with all the women in the world today, we are grateful for that.

Highly Recommend

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Really enjoyable read about the influence of Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel on the fashion industry. This book explored some of the circumstances around her life that influenced her designs, motifs and inspiration for some of collections. It was fascinating how her influences helped to transition from the Belle Epoque era to a new freedom of movement for women, essentially freeing them from the confines of the corset.
It explored her use of traditional 'workers' clothing such as maids and fishermen and how she reinterpreted that for a new lux market, how Chanel time and again took inspiration from her time spent in an Abby after the death of her mother with reoccurring motifs throughout her career.

This is very much focused on Chanel the designer and her fashion influence rather then a biography and I found it very informative. I would have loved to seen even more pictures of her earlier work, although the more recent photos of her collections that continued her vision were still interesting. This would really suit someone who has an interest in fashion and historical fashion, particularly the basis of a couture house. 4.5 Stars

Many thanks to Netgally and the publishers for an ARC in return for an honest review

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I personally found this little book unremarkable. It includes photos of Chanel garments, quotes, anecdotes, and some biographical information. The fashion advice is actually cliche, in my opinion. It is more a commentary on basic Chanel style. In my opinion, there is nothing new here. If you want a book with photos of Chanel designs, I have seen more beautiful photos elsewhere. If you want a biography; there are better, more thorough biographies available. If you want to thumb through a book and learn some basics about Chanel and her designs, this one is fine.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

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I didn't know many things about Coco Chanel and her way on creating clothes so this book just showed them to me which was lovely to read. I loved the photos of clothes then and now, even though I would have preferred more photos of her own creations from that time. Still, I searched them myself so I could have a whole image of the clothes created by Coco Chanel. In some places it was repetitive, but I think anyone interested in fashion and doesn't have much knowledge of Coco Chanel and her brand would be happy to read this book.

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If you adore Chanel then this book is a wonderful read. It explores the fashion and tips used by Chanel. It touches briefly on her life too. How she was born in to poverty but created the most famous fashion brand in the world today. A wonderful gift for lovers of Chanel.

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I'm leaving this four stars as I was unable to download the book before it was archived. Given that I was unable to read it, four stars seems like a fair thing to leave it on.

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Go to IG: @entre.mi.libro y. yo to read the full review

Okay, I think that more than a book, this is like a fashion magazine.
I would´ve love to read more about Chanel's history than her designs.
Nevertheless, I really liked to know more about her inspirations and the road she had to go through to become who she was.
I think that Coco Chanel is a REALLY good role model, passionate about her job and her life.
For me, the only thing missing from this book is the end of her story.

I want to thank the publisher, the author and NetGalley for gifting me with this book <3

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This is a really elegant and informative book. Love the pink, black and white look. Some iconic images I'd never seen before inside. Straightforward style advice to magpie as you see fit. This would make a great gift!

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This was a beautiful history of Chanel and her impact on the fashion world. The photographs were stunningly placed to illustrate the moments of Chanel's history. I would highly recommend this to anyone interested in fashion and history.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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Super cute book and very informative. Enjoyed every moment reading it. Would make a great gift. Thank you for the chance to read this.

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A beautiful coffee table book which would make a thoughtful gift for the style addict in your life.

A well as the selection of beautiful photographs to inspire whoever picks up this book, there is also a lot of detail about Coco Chanel's life which would interest those who are familiar with the brand but not the woman.

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A beautifully written &illustrated book about Coco Chanel.An intimate look at her thoughts ideas what made her the fabulous designer she was.This is a beautifully illustrated book would make a lovely gift,#netgalley#quatro

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Such a beautiful book and an incredible homage to the woman who revolutionized the fashion industry entirely. Filled with pages and pages of her creations and fashion inspiration, and a delight to go through and learn about an important piece of fashion history.

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My Recommendation ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“What Coco Chanel Can Teach You About Fashion”
by Caroline Young

Gabrielle Chanel—Gamine Orphan to Fashion Icon—Coco

Taught impeccable stitches by Cistercian nuns in black and gray habits, little orphan Gabrielle Chanel in the late 1890s, surrounded by mystical symbols in France’s medieval Aubazine Abbey, embraced her sewing talent and esoteric beliefs and turned them into a fashion revolution of the new century.

Daring and dangerous in her exotic fashion tastes, the adult Gabrielle, nicknamed Coco, from a favorite song that she enjoyed singing, blazed into the Belle Epoch not in tight corsets, but in loose culotte pajama pants and striped jersey sailor shirts that she designed for women.

The Normandy beaches were in shock; then the Rivera. Chanel made the scene exciting and glamorous! Fashionable ladies were adopting this chic, stylish and gorgeous couture with Chanel flare.

Coco’s fashion empire evolution included little black dresses, Highlands’ inspired tailored tweed suits, layers of pearls and Byzantine-inspired jewelry, as well as her renowned scents—especially the perfume classic, Chanel No. 5.

Author Caroline Young details in text and photo history, Coco Chanel’s journey of self represented through her loves, losses and ultimate creation of a unique fashion-forward revolution in women's wear that was influenced by her life, by numerology and by her beliefs in magical mysticism.

Learn why the hooked backward CCs; the colors black, white, gray and beige; and number five play such important roles in the designs and life of the iconic Coco Chanel. These, and more mysteries and facts, are revealed in this lovely historical and pictorial anthology to Gabriel “Coco” Chanel by Caroline Young—one of my favorite guilty pleasures this year!

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The Book Maven’s Journal—Reviews for Word Connoisseurs
REVIEWER: J. Hunt
STAR RATING ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“What Coco Chanel Can Teach You About Fashion”
by Caroline Young
Genre: Non-Fiction | Arts & Photography | Biographies & Memoirs
Publication Date: 14 September 2021
Publisher: Quarto Publishing Group – White Lion, Frances Lincoln

My Sincere Appreciation to NetGalley, Author Caroline Young and Quarto Publishing Group – White Lion, Frances Lincoln for Providing this Advance Reader's Copy for Review.

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