Coco Chanel told very little about her early life. It wasn’t a pretty picture. She had two sisters and two brothers. When her mother died of consumption, her father placed the girls in a convent orphanage where they would be prepared for marriage to tradesmen or laborers. The brothers went to farms as convenient labor. However, Coco and her sister Annette dreamed of bigger things.
This story is told from Annette’s point of view. Since much less is known about Annette than Coco, much of the story is fiction buttressed by historical incidents. Although the theme of fashion design starting with hats runs through the book, the focus is on romance. In the early part of the book, the sisters are looking for men who will raise them out of poverty.
I found the scene of life at the convent very interesting. The author suggests that many of Channel’s fashion ideas were based on her time in the convent: the black and white habits of the nuns, the curves in the windows, the nubby wool fabrics reminiscent of the nun’s habits, and the stars and moons in the floor which inspired her jewelry.
Annette is an interesting character. Little is known about her historically. I thought the author did a good job bringing her to life. I wish the emphasis had been more on the development of Chanel’s fashion ideas than on romance, but it was an enjoyable read.
I received this book from Harlequin for this review.
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