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gallery
August 3, 2016

An Illustrated Biography of Coco Chanel

By Danielle Cohen

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Photo: Nina Cosford

In an imaginative new biography of Coco Chanel, illustrator Nina Cosford traces the designer’s astonishing life from convent orphanage to 31 Rue Cambon. You know the story: Née Gabrielle Chanel, Coco earned her nickname while singing in Parisian café concerts between billed acts. (Her signature song: “Qui qu’a vu Coco?”) Her life reads like an epic novel, from tormented love triangles to fatal car crashes and affairs with the likes of Picasso, Dalí, and Stravinsky. Her forward-thinking designs changed the industry forever.

The book Library of Luminaries: Coco Chanel: An Illustrated Biography, out August 16 from Chronicle Books, narrates her life with sumptuous drawings by Cosford, text by Zena Alkayat, and excerpts from Chanel’s own letters and diaries.

Click ahead for a delicate glimpse into Chanel’s life — her early hat designs, the opening of her first store, and fishing ventures with Winston Churchill.

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1 / 13 Photos
At age 18, Chanel left the convent orphanage where she was raised. Photo: Nina Cosford
While working with her aunt as a seamstress, Chanel often performed in Parisian café concerts at night. Photo: Nina Cosford
After moving to Vichy, Chanel attended various auditions in hopes of becoming a famous singer. Photo: Nina Cosford
She was the mistress of cavalryman Étienne Balsan, who taught her how to horseback-ride. Photo: Nina Cosford
Chanel sold hats from an atelier that Étienne gifted her. Photo: Nina Cosford
Her modern designs became hugely popular as France entered World War I. Photo: Nina Cosford
At age 35, Chanel moved from her small boutique to a salon at 31 Rue Cambon. Photo: Nina Cosford
She launched her first fragrance, the iconic Chanel No. 5, in 1921. Photo: Nina Cosford
During an affair with the Duke of Westminster, Chanel spent much of her time hunting and fishing with the duke and his close friend Winston Churchill.... During an affair with the Duke of Westminster, Chanel spent much of her time hunting and fishing with the duke and his close friend Winston Churchill. Photo: Nina Cosford
Hunting and yachting ventures with the duke inspired these Chanel designs. Photo: Nina Cosford
Chanel loved camellias and lions, the latter because of her astrological sign: Leo. Among her belongings was a portrait of Boy, a wealthy aristocrat w... Chanel loved camellias and lions, the latter because of her astrological sign: Leo. Among her belongings was a portrait of Boy, a wealthy aristocrat who left her to marry another woman and soon after died in a car crash. Photo: Nina Cosford
Even in old age, arthritis, rheumatism, and alienation from friends didn't prevent Chanel from tirelessly working on her designs. Photo: Nina Cosfor... Even in old age, arthritis, rheumatism, and alienation from friends didn't prevent Chanel from tirelessly working on her designs. Photo: Nina Cosford
Photo: Nina Cosford
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