This biography by Rose Sgueglia details the fascinating life of French fashion designer Coco Chanel. This incredible book documents her tough childhood to her career highs. The Real Coco Channel (£19.99) touches on the various influences on her life that shaped her. Both historical and more personal.

Coco’s father was a tradesman and the family earnt very little. They lived in rundown lodgings struggling to make ends meet. Her rise to fame and fortune was quite a dramatic change of circumstance given her earlier life of poverty and hardship.

Coco’s mum was only 31 years when she died, no age at all. Her dad then abandoned his three daughters at an orphanage, Coco Chanel was 12 years old. Her little sister was only 8 years old. As for her brothers they were sent to a local farm. They were just 9 and 5 years old. So, on top of being left she also lost connection with her much loved younger brothers.

I was gripped by this book. I wanted to know how from such a difficult start in life had Coco Chanel managed to become an icon, a romantic heroine adored by so many.  Coco Chanel manages to overcome the pain of early abandonment and went on to do many great things.

The orphanage Coco Chanel found herself in also acted as a boarding school for the children of the very affluent. Although naturally those paying had a much more luxurious experience. Coco Chanel renowned for her romantic storytelling, retold her life much more positively. At 12 she had strong ideas about what she wanted out of life and was not going to let her difficult past complicate that. Her childhood helped make her resilient and shaped the woman she would become.

I will not reveal any more details from the book which is available to buy from Pen & Sword Books (currently on offer for £15.99). But just to say once I started the book I just had to keep reading as I am sure you will too.

Giveaway

I have a copy of The Real Coco Chanel to giveaway. If you would like to enter please fill in the form below by the 2^nd of August.

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