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Dreaming of Chanel: Vintage Dresses, Timeless Stories Hardcover – 4 Oct. 2011
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But when Charlotte Smith discovered that her American godmother, Doris Darnell, had made her custodian of more than three thousand pieces dating from 1790 to the 1990s, including originals by Chanel and Dior, she was more than a little daunted.
Then Charlotte uncovered her first treasure— an exquisite 1920s evening dress—and promptly fell in love. And once she found her godmother’s book of stories, the true value of her inheritance hit home. This wasn’t merely a collection of beautiful things, it was a precious collection of women’s lives. Tiny glimpses of our joys and disappointments, our entrances and exits, triumphant and tragic.
In her previous book, Dreaming of Dior, Charlotte shared some of these gorgeous dresses and the stories of the women who wore them. Now, in Dreaming of Chanel, with special appearances by Chanel, Vivienne Westwood, Pucci, Valentino and many more, Charlotte offers another unforgettable glimpse inside the magical wardrobe every woman would love to own.
- Print length292 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherSimon & Schuster Export
- Publication date4 Oct. 2011
- Dimensions14.45 x 2.79 x 19.69 cm
- ISBN-109781451632958
- ISBN-13978-1451632958
Product details
- ASIN : 1451632959
- Publisher : Simon & Schuster Export; Reprint edition (4 Oct. 2011)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 292 pages
- ISBN-10 : 9781451632958
- ISBN-13 : 978-1451632958
- Dimensions : 14.45 x 2.79 x 19.69 cm
- Customer reviews:
About the author
Charlotte Smith is Curator of The Darnell Collection. She was born in Hong Kong to an English mother and an American father. She grew up with her brother and sister on the east coast of America and graduated with a degree in Art History from Hollins College in Virginia. Charlotte has worked for art dealers, ran her own business manufacturing decorative lampshades and was the proprietor of a French country antiques shop. Her interests include horse riding, interior decorating, writing and gardening. She has lived and worked in America, England, France and and now resides in Australia, in the Blue Mountains with her daughter.
Charlotte's fascination with fashion began with a special vintage dress at the age of three. Since inheriting her godmother's vast vintage clothing collection, her passion for fashion has grown to include the history of fashion and its significant impact on society. Charlotte is involved with exhibitions of her collection around the country, gives lectures and talks, works with fashion and design students and is featured on television and radio.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings, help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyses reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonTop reviews from other countries
- Alane GaleReviewed in the United States on 29 August 2018
5.0 out of 5 stars Dreaming of Chanel: Every Outfit Has a Story!!
I ordered this book used from Grand River Media and was very impressed by the packaging & condition of the book. It looked brand new. As for Dreaming of Chanel, the second book by Charlotte Smith, it was delightful. I happened across the first in the collection, Dreaming of Dior at a tiny boutique. It just before Christmas and I was enchanted! Ms. Smith's godmother was a collector of vintage clothing. Each dress, suit, wedding gown or jumpsuit has a story. Charlotte Smith aquired this amazing ( and HUGE) collection after her godmother died. This is a treasure! Charlotte Smith wrote "Dreaming of Dior" & "Dreaming of Chanel" to share this with those of us who have an appreciation of designer clothing but can only dream of owning it. Each item included has both an anecdote about it with a lovely artist's rendering on the next page. I thoroughly enjoyed both books and recommend them for anyone with a desire to learn a bit about fashion or a person who may want to cuddle up with the book and a cup of tea on a rainy day to dream of a life where one can jaunt of on a private jet for a month on a Mediterranean cruise.
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Cliente AmazonReviewed in Spain on 2 March 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Original
Libro original. La portada trae una cubierta de papel con terciopelo. En el interior ilustraciones de mujeres con ropa de diferentes épocas y con un breve texto contando la historia de cada personaje. El libro está en inglés, pero lo mejor son las ilustraciones. Recomendado si te gusta la moda y la ilustración.
Cliente Amazon
Reviewed in Spain on 2 March 2020
Images in this review - style mavenReviewed in the United States on 11 October 2011
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful follow up to Dreaming of Dior
I waited with great anticipation for the release of Charlotte Smith's second book about her godmother's
vintage clothing collection. It is all and more than I expected. The essays are wonderful and the beautiful
illustrations so charming that it something I will read often. Charlotte Smith has the gift of transporting
us back to when the dresses were worn and cherished by their owners. In this world of utilitarian clothing,
I love looking back to the time when clothing was exciting and transforming.
- norma villarReviewed in the United States on 7 February 2021
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book
If you are a Chanel fan, buy this book. It’s a beautiful read and high quality cover!
- c smithReviewed in the United States on 16 February 2019
5.0 out of 5 stars Good if you like fashion
This is a really fun book for kids who like fashion and to spur conversations about special outfits at special times in your life. It's a great conversation starter with kids/teens.