A Young Woman Caught in the Rivalry Between Chanel and Schiaparelli During WWII

Lilly Sutter, a young artist, visits Paris and becomes entangled in the feud between Chanel and Schiaparelli. Lilly has lost her husband in a tragic accident. When her brother, Charles, invites her to Paris, she can't resist.

When she arrives in Paris before WWII, she meets Charles and his lover, Anna. Charles wants t buy her a couture gown from Cocoa Channel. Lilly prefers Schiaparelli. Anna, too, who is very rich begins to prefer Schiaparelli. Thus Lilly is caught up in the rivalry between the two great fashion houses.

This is a wonderful historical novel about the great fashion houses in Paris before WWII. The author has done well researched the period. Both houses stayed open during the occupation of Paris by the Nazis, but the owners, Elsa Schiaparelli and Cocoa Channel had very different political leanings. Cocoa lived with at least one German officer and may have been a spy. Elsa, while remaining open was not a Nazi sympathizer. She was able to travel, but she was carefully watched by the Germans.

I loved this book. The historical details are accurate. The two designers came from very different backgrounds and this perhaps influenced their designs. Channel had a deprived childhood and her designs were utilitarian giving a working woman a sense of fashion. Schiaparelli’s design were more imaginative and daring. I thought the author did and excellent job describing the differences and how their views affected their political opinions.

If you enjoy a well researched WWII historical novel, I highly recommend this one. It’s particularly delightful if you’re interested in fashion.

I received this book from Net Galley for this review.