The last collection : a novel of Elsa Schiaparelli and Coco Chanel

Title:

Author:

Mackin, Jeanne, author.

Personal Author:

Mackin, Jeanne, author.

ISBN:

9781101990544

9780593099339

Edition:

First edition.

Physical Description:

340 pages ; 24 cm

Abstract:

"Paris, 1938. Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli ("Schiap") are fighting for recognition as the most successful and influential fashion designer in France, and their rivalry is already legendary. They oppose each other at every turn, in both their politics and their designs: Chanel's are classic, elegant, and practical; Schiaparelli's bold, experimental, and surreal. Lily Cooper, a recently widowed American teacher, travels to Paris to visit her brother, Charlie, and try to move on from the loss of her husband. On her first day there, Charlie insists on buying her a couture dress for her birthday--a Chanel. Lily reluctantly agrees but wants a Schiaparelli, not a Chanel. Charlie's Jewish girlfriend, Ania, one of the most beautiful and prominent women in Paris, begins wearing Schiap's designs as well, and soon much of Paris is following in her footsteps. Adding insult to injury, Chanel has her eye on Baron von Dincklage, the head of Nazi propaganda in Paris, with whom Ania is also involved. Schiap takes an interest in Lily and offers the budding artist a job at her shop. Suddenly, Lily finds herself wrapped up with Schiap and her personal war with Chanel. And as their fierce competition reaches new and dangerous heights, another war is looming on their doorstep and getting closer every day..."-- Provided by publisher.

Personal Subject:

Chanel, Coco, 1883-1971-Fiction.

Schiaparelli, Elsa, 1890-1973-Fiction.

Subject Term:

Fashion designers -- France -- Fiction.

Genre:

Biographical fiction.

Historical fiction.

Novels.

Summary:

Holds:

Available:*

Library	Material Type	Shelf Number	Status
Searching... Belmont	Book	FICTION MACKIN	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Main Library	Book	FICTION MACKIN	Searching... Unknown
Searching... West End	Book	FICTION MACKIN	Searching... Unknown
Searching... Westover Hills	Book	FICTION MACKIN	Searching... Unknown

Bound With These Titles

On Order

Summary

Paris, 1938. Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli ('Schiap') are fighting for recognition as the most successful and influential fashion designer in France, and their rivalry is already legendary. When Lily travels to Paris to visit her brother, he insists on buying her a couture dress for her birthday - a Chanel. But Lily is interested in Schiaparelli, not Chanel. Her brother's girlfriend, one of the most beautiful and prominent women in Paris, also begins wearing Schiap's designs as well, and soon much of Paris is following in her footsteps. Schiap takes an interest in Lily and offers the budding artist a job at her shop. Lily soon finds herself increasingly involved with Schiap and her personal war with Chanel.

Reviews (1)

Kirkus Review

A widowed American woman navigates the world of fashion in 1938 Paris, getting caught up in the rivalry between two famous designers.Lily Sutter is teaching art at a girl's boarding school in England when her brother, Charlie, invites her to Paris. Drowning in the memories of her husband, who died two years earlier, and living in a world of gray, Lily has been unable to paint. Once in Paris and caught up in the glamorous circles of her brother and his married lover, Ania, Lily begins to see the world in color once again and picks up her brushes. The novel is divided into three parts, each section labeled with an oft-referenced primary color meant to symbolize the emotions described within it. The first, blue, is a paradox, representing longing, sadness, joy, and fulfillment. The second, red, is for love, death, and passion. And the last, yellow, is for sunshine, gold, and new beginnings but also warning and fear. Creating a world where fictional and real worlds overlap is tricky, particularly when famous events and people (in this case Elsa Schiaparelli and Coco Chanel) are a major part of the narrative. The novel includes as a plot point the reported real-world instance when the rivalry between Chanel and Schiaparelli became physicalaccidentally or on purposeand Chanel caused Schiaparelli's costume to catch fire at a party. Mackin (A Lady of Good Family, 2015, etc.) goes beyond the facts, however. A substantial portion of the novel is composed of hypothetical interior monologues, thoughts, and motivations of the two real-life fashion icons. Readers interested in historical accuracy may find this distracting.Fashion lovers will enjoy descriptions of the design of clothing and accessories and the machinations of running fashion houses before World War II. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.