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Coco Chanel: Pearls, Perfume, and the Little Black Dress
Award-winning author Susan Goldman Rubin introduces readers to the most well-known fashion designer in the world, Coco Chanel. Beginning with the difficult years Chanel spent in an orphanage, Goldman Rubin traces Coco’s development as a designer and demonstrates how her determination to be independent helped her gain worldwide recognition. Coco Chanel focuses on the obstacles Chanel faced as a financially independent woman in an era when women were expected to marry; as well as her fierce competition with the Italian fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli; and some of her most memorable firsts for the fashion industry, including the little black dress, the quilted purse with gold chain, and the perfume Chanel No. 5. The book includes a bibliography, a list of where to see her work, and an index.
144 pages, Hardcover
First published March 13, 2018
About the author
Susan Goldman Rubin
74 books60 followersSusan Goldman Rubin is the author of more than forty-five books for young people, including Andy Warhol: Pop Art Painter; The Yellow House: Vincent van Gogh and Paul Gauguin Side by Side; and Edward Hopper: Painter of Light and Shadow. A long-time instructor in the UCLA Extension Writers Program, Susan Goldman Rubin lives in Malibu, California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
January 14, 2024
Bought this book for my wife for Christmas ( you notice it was a book and not perfume or expensive clothes)😉. We had both seen the Coco Chanel exhibition at the Victoria and Albert museum last year. In addition we had seen the Sky documentary - Coco Channel Unbuttoned- several times. The Author is in the documentary and the book forms the basis of the program.
An amazing life and amazing story. From being brought up by nuns (her Aunts). Her relationships with men including the tragic one with ‘Boy Capel.’ This book covers everything. It is not certain she was a Nazi sympathiser but her life at the convent certainly influenced her view of Jews.
But there is little doubt that her fashion style influenced and continues to influence generations. Rubin has an easy style and the short book reads like a magazine article. My wife is going back shortly with friends to see the exhibition.
An amazing life and amazing story. From being brought up by nuns (her Aunts). Her relationships with men including the tragic one with ‘Boy Capel.’ This book covers everything. It is not certain she was a Nazi sympathiser but her life at the convent certainly influenced her view of Jews.
But there is little doubt that her fashion style influenced and continues to influence generations. Rubin has an easy style and the short book reads like a magazine article. My wife is going back shortly with friends to see the exhibition.
January 29, 2023
Finally!!! This has been sitting on my "currently reading" Goodreads shelf for like.... forever! I had one more chapter to go and never got around to finish reading the book... until today. Well, now that I am aggresively tackling my TBR list- this one will finally get an honest review.
Okay! Here we go... This is a terrific book worth reading if you are a lover of Coco Chanel. I absolutely adore her style, her sharp wit, her work ethics and her sheer drive and determination to make something of herself even though she hailed from very poor beginnings. The odds were all against this intriguing woman who took life by its horns and bent them to her will. She was a mastermind and made things happen. Her sense of style was- and still is- endlessly iconic. She, as well as her creations, exuded a sense of incomparable strength mixed with femininity that captivated throngs of people during her time and well into this present day. Passing years did not dim her shine.
I admire the way the author commenced the book expounding upon Ms. Chanel's humble beginnings and her hardships. It gave me more of an insight to her true origins. I think that I, like some others, viewed her luxury brand and iconic name and thought her life was as privileged as an heiress to a mighty kingdom... but that was far from the true reality of her beginnings. There were also many tidbits about Ms. Chanel that made me utter, "hmmmm," out loud.
The book was also created with a keen eye devoted to detail. The photos painted a picture alongside the words. I was deeply interested in perusing them. It is a very well made, luxurious little book formatted to perfection. Like Ms. Chanel's iconic brand, this read is a keeper for the chic lady (or anyone else) who wants to learn about Coco Chanel's background in depth.
We know my grade... it's 5/5 for me.
Okay! Here we go... This is a terrific book worth reading if you are a lover of Coco Chanel. I absolutely adore her style, her sharp wit, her work ethics and her sheer drive and determination to make something of herself even though she hailed from very poor beginnings. The odds were all against this intriguing woman who took life by its horns and bent them to her will. She was a mastermind and made things happen. Her sense of style was- and still is- endlessly iconic. She, as well as her creations, exuded a sense of incomparable strength mixed with femininity that captivated throngs of people during her time and well into this present day. Passing years did not dim her shine.
I admire the way the author commenced the book expounding upon Ms. Chanel's humble beginnings and her hardships. It gave me more of an insight to her true origins. I think that I, like some others, viewed her luxury brand and iconic name and thought her life was as privileged as an heiress to a mighty kingdom... but that was far from the true reality of her beginnings. There were also many tidbits about Ms. Chanel that made me utter, "hmmmm," out loud.
The book was also created with a keen eye devoted to detail. The photos painted a picture alongside the words. I was deeply interested in perusing them. It is a very well made, luxurious little book formatted to perfection. Like Ms. Chanel's iconic brand, this read is a keeper for the chic lady (or anyone else) who wants to learn about Coco Chanel's background in depth.
We know my grade... it's 5/5 for me.
July 23, 2019
After reading The Last Collection by Jeanne Mackin, I discovered this title in the Bibliography and decided to read it and find out more about Coco Chanel. As I read about Chanel in this Juvenile Bio, I was pleased to see that I could directly connect scenes from that book to many in this bio. There are some really great photos included which greatly add to the overall package. Fashion minded kids in grades 5 through 8 will find this book to be informative and inspiring.
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July 21, 2023Та ещё жучка эта Коко, оказывается
August 28, 2021
I loved this book and I loved Coco Chanel. She was such a successful ambitious business woman that excelled in fashion, making jewelry and manufacturing perfumes. She succeeded in making her brand famous globally inspite of the hardships she faced. You'd feel that there's no impeccable person yet inevitably everybody has something special to be good at. This book is totally inspiring, and it includes photos from coco's life and some of her handiwork.
February 11, 2018
I received this as an ARC on NetGalley.
I’ve always wanted to read about Coco Chanel since I share her name. Finally got an opportunity here. A quick read with short chapters that give a brief glimpse into an overview of her life and career. As successful as she was, she doesn’t seem like she was a very nice person.
The book itself is good. I liked the design aspects and the incorporation of photos is as a great addition to the facts.
I’ve always wanted to read about Coco Chanel since I share her name. Finally got an opportunity here. A quick read with short chapters that give a brief glimpse into an overview of her life and career. As successful as she was, she doesn’t seem like she was a very nice person.
The book itself is good. I liked the design aspects and the incorporation of photos is as a great addition to the facts.
June 1, 2023
This short volume was a great introduction to Chanel as woman and designer. The author was very clear in her writing and didn't include unnecessary jargon that would confuse the uninitiated.
September 21, 2018
Featured in "Historical Nonfiction for Young Readers" on Intellectual Recreation.
Susan Goldman Rubin chronicles the life of the extremely influential fashion designer Coco Chanel for young readers. I didn't know much about Chanel's biography, besides her dicey World War II period, and it was very interesting to learn about her childhood spent in a Catholic orphanage and her years developing and growing her young business.
Rubin also discusses Chanel's influential designs, from the little black dress, to the menswear inspired pieces, to Chanel No. 5. I read this slim volume in one sitting, and enjoyed every minute. The book itself is also quite lovely in its design, which is only fitting.
Review copy from NetGalley.
March 2, 2018
This quick biography could be useful from middle grade through high school though the content is a weird mix of not interesting enough (likely) for a wide middle grade audience and not too complex to be readable for a high school student. It's an complication of the basics of the story, while still having enough detail but not being a fully-fledged wider narrative nonfiction, especially because it's in black and white and looks more like a fiction book than a nonfiction one (like books about chocolate, Barbie, Rosie the Riveter, etc.)
As a simple biography in the collection it's useful and does detail that life she tried to hide and leave behind, her first love tragically killed, and her life well into her eighties including her claims to fashion and perfume fame. Certainly learned a few things.
As a simple biography in the collection it's useful and does detail that life she tried to hide and leave behind, her first love tragically killed, and her life well into her eighties including her claims to fashion and perfume fame. Certainly learned a few things.
July 1, 2022
3.75⭐
nice book. I'm not into biographies but this was a cute read.
nice book. I'm not into biographies but this was a cute read.
April 2, 2018
Well, I knew nothing about Chanel the person, so I learned a lot reading this, but it's not my favorite Rubin book, and I'm a huge fan of her work. I'm sure that I am partially responding to the negative aspects of Coco's personality...her anti-semitism (except when it doesn't benefit her business endeavors), her treatment of her workers, and to a lesser extent, her ego. You don't get to leave behind a childhood of abandonment and poverty to become a world-famous fashion designer without some ego.
I know it's wrong to review the book I WANTED to read rather than what it is, but I'd have liked this to be a longer high school level book with more detail about Coco's complex nature. As is, the trim size makes this a solid choice for a reluctant or low-level high school reader needing a biography. My midwest middle schoolers are not going to understand the "little black dress," or much of the high fashion world beyond reality tv runway shows. One mention of the nuns indoctrinating her to hate Jews is not enough to explain to them how she could perhaps have been a Nazi sympathizer when they are reading Anne Frank and learning about the Holocaust. There may be more than one mention, I read this in a gulp yesterday, but I wanted more than just a repeated mention that she was anti-semitic. Rubin does do a good job of stating what is and isn't known about Chanel's actions and beliefs. I appreciate that a lot and it's really helpful for young readers when authors are clear about that. I'll be sharing this with my middle school book club and I'll update this review later if I get opinions back from them.
I know it's wrong to review the book I WANTED to read rather than what it is, but I'd have liked this to be a longer high school level book with more detail about Coco's complex nature. As is, the trim size makes this a solid choice for a reluctant or low-level high school reader needing a biography. My midwest middle schoolers are not going to understand the "little black dress," or much of the high fashion world beyond reality tv runway shows. One mention of the nuns indoctrinating her to hate Jews is not enough to explain to them how she could perhaps have been a Nazi sympathizer when they are reading Anne Frank and learning about the Holocaust. There may be more than one mention, I read this in a gulp yesterday, but I wanted more than just a repeated mention that she was anti-semitic. Rubin does do a good job of stating what is and isn't known about Chanel's actions and beliefs. I appreciate that a lot and it's really helpful for young readers when authors are clear about that. I'll be sharing this with my middle school book club and I'll update this review later if I get opinions back from them.
April 3, 2018
Susan Goldman Rubin’s book, Coco Chanel, is a biography of a young girl from a poor background who rises to fame and becomes a fashion icon. Her rise to fame started because she wanted to make an outfit for herself. Chanel was a fashion prodigy that became one of the best of all time.
Everyone wants to be first at some point in their life. Coco always wants to be first, and she would do whatever it takes, even if it meant pushing other people down just to get up. Her greatest competitor was Elsa Schiaparelli, but Chanel persevered through the competition. She had ingenuity that helped her succeed in her career.
Susan Goldman Rubin gave details of Coco Chanel’s life that were interesting and compelled me to read more. She emphasized quotes from Chanel’s life and mentioned dialogue between Chanel’s colleagues and friends. Rubin wrote about Coco’s childhood of poverty and how she changed her life by starting her own business. Rubin did a good job of writing about Chanel’s life in a personal way that really got me hooked.
I recommend this book if you enjoy biographies, and you like to learn about fashion. I enjoyed reading this book because Chanel inspired so many people, and it started with one simple idea. She is a fashion icon that is still remembered and praised today for her work. The story of Coco Chanel will inspire you just as it did me.
Zelie M, 13, Central Pennsylvania Mensa
Everyone wants to be first at some point in their life. Coco always wants to be first, and she would do whatever it takes, even if it meant pushing other people down just to get up. Her greatest competitor was Elsa Schiaparelli, but Chanel persevered through the competition. She had ingenuity that helped her succeed in her career.
Susan Goldman Rubin gave details of Coco Chanel’s life that were interesting and compelled me to read more. She emphasized quotes from Chanel’s life and mentioned dialogue between Chanel’s colleagues and friends. Rubin wrote about Coco’s childhood of poverty and how she changed her life by starting her own business. Rubin did a good job of writing about Chanel’s life in a personal way that really got me hooked.
I recommend this book if you enjoy biographies, and you like to learn about fashion. I enjoyed reading this book because Chanel inspired so many people, and it started with one simple idea. She is a fashion icon that is still remembered and praised today for her work. The story of Coco Chanel will inspire you just as it did me.
Zelie M, 13, Central Pennsylvania Mensa
August 2, 2021
This is one of the first biographies I have ever picked up, and I absolutely loved it. Reading about Coco Chanel's struggle in the fashion world and overcoming obstacles as she was constantly challenged by newer fashion moguls. I loved reading about her life despite how she kept lying about her past, but I can understand where she was coming from out of shame. I thought it was especially brave for her to start fashion trends for women that we readily use today and let it be known that men should not be dressing women at all. Like seriously, what were they thinking we are, Barbie dolls for endurance?
Overall, she reminded me of a French Scarlet O'Hara without trying to be a homewrecker and more fiercer in the business sense. I applaud her for attitude and drive to succeed, but most of all I hope that I can take what she used to keep going and have her same attitude when I'm fighting my way to the top. Coco, you had not only shaped how fashion can be comfortable in an ever-changing loop, but I think ultimately you paved the way for women to be confident in being fashionably comfortable and not conforming to sexist fashion standards.
Overall, she reminded me of a French Scarlet O'Hara without trying to be a homewrecker and more fiercer in the business sense. I applaud her for attitude and drive to succeed, but most of all I hope that I can take what she used to keep going and have her same attitude when I'm fighting my way to the top. Coco, you had not only shaped how fashion can be comfortable in an ever-changing loop, but I think ultimately you paved the way for women to be confident in being fashionably comfortable and not conforming to sexist fashion standards.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2019
Coco Chanel : Pearls, Perfume and the Little Black Dress by Susan Goldman Rubin, 133 pages. NON FICTION Abrams Books for Young Readers, 2018 $18.99.
Content: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL, HS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Susan Goldman Rubin gives us a well researched biography of the famous designer. Beginning with her childhood, mostly spent in poverty, living with relatives or in an orphanage, through her schooling and eventual rise to fame as the designer for the rich and famous in Paris.
Rubin does a great job of separating fact from fiction; telling both Chanel's story and the researched history. Well illustrated with captioned historical photographs, includes a list of museums with artifacts, fashion firsts introduced by Chanel and an extensive bibliography.
Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
Content: G.
BUYING ADVISORY: MS - ESSENTIAL, HS - ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
Susan Goldman Rubin gives us a well researched biography of the famous designer. Beginning with her childhood, mostly spent in poverty, living with relatives or in an orphanage, through her schooling and eventual rise to fame as the designer for the rich and famous in Paris.
Rubin does a great job of separating fact from fiction; telling both Chanel's story and the researched history. Well illustrated with captioned historical photographs, includes a list of museums with artifacts, fashion firsts introduced by Chanel and an extensive bibliography.
Lisa Librarian
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
August 27, 2019
A very enchanting book about Coco Chanel, full of interesting details about her life. The photographs in this book enhance the stories about Chanel.
Favorite quote –
One evening at the Paris Opera House, Coco sat in her box seat and surveyed the gowns of the women in the audience. “All those gaudy. . . colors shocked me,” she said. “Those red, those greens, those electric blues. . . brought back into fashion by Paul Poiret, made me feel ill. . . I remember only to well saying to someone sitting beside me: “These colors are impossible. These women, I’m blood well going to dress them in black.”
Up till then, women had worn black only if they were in mourning. But in 1920 Coco made the color fashionable by introducing, “the little black dress.”
This makes me feel better about my closet, which is full of black clothing. ☺
Favorite quote –
One evening at the Paris Opera House, Coco sat in her box seat and surveyed the gowns of the women in the audience. “All those gaudy. . . colors shocked me,” she said. “Those red, those greens, those electric blues. . . brought back into fashion by Paul Poiret, made me feel ill. . . I remember only to well saying to someone sitting beside me: “These colors are impossible. These women, I’m blood well going to dress them in black.”
Up till then, women had worn black only if they were in mourning. But in 1920 Coco made the color fashionable by introducing, “the little black dress.”
This makes me feel better about my closet, which is full of black clothing. ☺
March 12, 2018
This book is well-written but it didn't bring Coco Chanel as a person to life for me so I'm not sure that it would entertain a younger reader long enough for them to stick with it. It provides a lot of good information about Chanel for anyone writing a report about her or just wanting more facts about her life. The casual chapter headings (which didn't make it obvious what was included in that chapter) didn't work for me even though I think they were an attempt to liven the book up.
I also always hate to see young readers book with patterns behind all the text. I have a young dyslexic reader who struggles to track text in the best of situations and these page patterns make it even harder for her to get through a page without a headache.
I also always hate to see young readers book with patterns behind all the text. I have a young dyslexic reader who struggles to track text in the best of situations and these page patterns make it even harder for her to get through a page without a headache.
October 22, 2018
This lovingly crafted biography whisks through the life and accomplishments of iconic designer Coco Chanel while at once making her rags to riches journey accessible to readers as young as 9 or 10. To summarize with a quote about her by artist Salvador Dali who was a friend and a contemporary, "All her life, all she did was change men's clothing into women's." She was dismayed when Christian Dior re-introduced clothing for women that required tight corsets, padding and petticoats. She said of these designs which emerged in the late 1940's, "...designers have forgotten there are women inside the dresses... Clothes must have a natural shape."
January 1, 2019
The biography of Coco Chanel, designer of haute couture. She began life quite inauspiciously, was illegitimate, lived in an orphanage and then was raised by nuns. Always had a history of taking men's clothing and redesigning it for women. Anti-Semitic, but otherwise forward thinking. I definitely learned a lot. It was not biased, covered strengths and weaknesses. Very glossy pages. Lots of pictures. Easy to read and understand. Brief yet comprehensive at the same time. Lots of primary source photographs.
May 7, 2024
Can be read easily in one sitting. I like Chanel well enough but I only knew this existed and came to own it because I happened to see it at a local Goodwill store.
It's definitely interesting to say the least. I feel like it could have been more in depth. It draws you in but then kinda leaves you hanging. Repeatedly.
The way she was described throughout the book she didn't sound like she was a very lovely woman. Not what I would think to envision if I hadn't read this for sure.
It's definitely interesting to say the least. I feel like it could have been more in depth. It draws you in but then kinda leaves you hanging. Repeatedly.
The way she was described throughout the book she didn't sound like she was a very lovely woman. Not what I would think to envision if I hadn't read this for sure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 18, 2019
This was a fascinating look into the life, sass, and inspiration behind one of the greatest influencers of fashion. The book provides great historical context and presents factual truths to fairly portray someone that is still very famous, fifty years after her death. Very easy read for YA readers interested in fame, fashion, or nonfiction.
March 1, 2019
A fine book. Felt a little like a textbook but was still interesting. Very short and written simply to go with the age group (10-14).
I’m glad they didn’t skip details like her potential Nazi involvement to make her seem better! I’ll be passing this on to my younger sister so she can learn a little too.
I’m glad they didn’t skip details like her potential Nazi involvement to make her seem better! I’ll be passing this on to my younger sister so she can learn a little too.
May 27, 2018
A Cliff Notes version of Coco Chanel. May be all you will need to know, so go for it; otherwise, look for more in-depth books about her life and talent.
September 21, 2018
Not the best book on Chanel.
Feels like a book report compiled from all the other more detailed accounts of her life and work. I was disappointed.
Feels like a book report compiled from all the other more detailed accounts of her life and work. I was disappointed.
October 21, 2018
This YA hits the highlights of Chanel's life but doesn't take a side on the issue of Nazi collaboration.
November 7, 2018
Interesting biography, pleasant sized book, recommended!
November 26, 2018
Rubin does a great job of separating fact from fiction; telling both Chanel's story and the researched history. For my full review, visit http://kissthebook.blogspot.com CHECK IT OUT!
January 24, 2019
Simplistic and superficial. It gives few profound glimpses on the character. It does cover her entire biography.
November 17, 2019
The designer of this book gets 5 stars. Simply beautiful use of iconic Chanel moments.
November 25, 2019
Loved this.
March 24, 2021
A fascinating look into the life of Coco Chanel, fashion designer of haute couture and perfumier, famous for Chanel No. 5.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews