Gabrielle Chanel: 60 Years of Fashion

Edited by V&A curators Oriole Cullen and Connie Karol Burks, a stunning survey of Gabrielle Chanels most notable designs from her 60 years in fashion As one of the most successful fashion houses in existence, Chanel owes much to the templates first laid down by its founder, Gabrielle Coco Chanel (18831971). Some of her most celebrated designs, such as the two-piece suit, the little black dress, and the quilted handbag, remain in vogue to this day. Chanel designed first and foremost for herself; by creating clothes fit for an independent and active lifestyle, she anticipated the needs and wants of the modern woman. This beautiful book showcases a stunning array of Chanels most notable designs from her 60 years in fashion, largely drawn from the collections of the Patrimoine de CHANEL, Paris, and the V&A. It examines the cut, construction, embellishment, and provenance of the ensembles, as well as the design themes and motifs Chanel returned to throughout her career. Newly commissioned photographs of the selected pieces by renowned fashion photographer Nicholas Alan Cope are accompanied by archival images, which together capture Chanels unique fashion world.