The story of a young girl who transformed herself from an impoverished orphan to one of the wealthiest and most famous women in the world, this book features images and photographs of Chanel's many iconic contributions to women's fashion such as Chanel No. 5 perfume, the little black dress, the Chanel tweed suit, the Chanel 2.55 bag and the Chanel sling back shoes. The book details how Chanel was a friend to Winston Churchill and Edward Prince of Wales, whilst simultaneously embracing the carefree, unfettered bohemian life of Paris in the 1920's, where she moved easily amongst the great creatives of the era, writers, painters, musicians, actors, such as Jean Cocteau, Sergei Diaghilev, Igor Stravinsky, Jean Renoir and Luchino Visconti.

Couturiere to stars of the Hollywood silver screen, politics, and French and British high society, Coco Chanel counted Marlene Dietrich, Marilyn Monroe, Jackie Kennedy, Jane Fonda and myriad others among her customers. This is the story of her remarkable life and fashion, illustrated with beautiful images.