The Collection: A Novel (edit title)

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Liked It Rated 5 stars “I truly enjoyed the book as I love to sew. I loved reading books with a historical background. It was interesting to learn and read of the various couturiers of the time and the rivalry. Even then there were "knock off" artiists stealing designs and making the garments for sale to a wider...” see full review » see other reviews »

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  • Rated 0 stars

  “Was interesting, but got halfway and got bored of it. About coco Chanel, but from the pov of a seamstress working for her (it's meant to be fiction, but based on the real life world of Chanel's fashion empire)
  
  Read this BEFORE went to see Coco avant Chanel, I am glad I picked it up though.
  If you like/loooove Project Runway, then this is the book for you.
  
  It is a bit trying though. Maybe I will finish it one day.”

  Selina C wrote this review Friday, September 4 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No

  
  
  • Rated 5 stars

  “I truly enjoyed the book as I love to sew. I loved reading books with a historical background. It was interesting to learn and read of the various couturiers of the time and the rivalry. Even then there were "knock off" artiists stealing designs and making the garments for sale to a wider public at a reduced price. I am not sure that all of the information about Coco Chanel was accurate; there were some contradictions compared to a recent made for TV movie about her. If it was true as depicted that she could not sew, she could definitely visualize fashion and was truly a pioneer in developing newer more comfortable styles for women during that era.”

  Linda L wrote this review Thursday, January 8 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No

  
  
  • Rated 3 stars

  “The story of Coco Chanel, told from the point of view of one of the seamstresses. Light weight, unfortunately. For a better book by the same author, try "I am Madame X"”

  marysued wrote this review Wednesday, February 27 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No

  
  
  • Rated 4 stars

  “This story of a consumptive French seamstress who leaves her small town to work for Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel after her fiance is killed was a surprisingly engrossing read. I was fascinated by the history of WWI haute couture and the rivalries among the fashion houses of the day. Who knew that Chanel couldn't draw OR sew and relied solely on her amazing vision to drape and pin fabric to mannequins and then describe what she wanted to artists who drew the figures for her seamstresses to follow? There is a sub-plot about copyists who stole dress mock-ups so that they could make knock-off versions of couture and sell them cheap that was also interesting. And, oh, there's also a love story, but it was totally background clutter for me while reading this fictional history of the scandalous Coco Chanel.”

  Julie wrote this review Saturday, February 9 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No

  
  
  • Rated 4 stars

  “I really enjoyed this book. About the world of Coco Chanel and other clothing designers. The main character, although somewhat tragic, is strong and smart. The history was interesting.”

  Allikat wrote this review Thursday, February 7 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No