The Last Collection

A Novel of Elsa Schiaparelli and Coco Chanel

De: Jeanne Mackin

Narrado por: Sarah Mollo-Christensen

An American woman becomes entangled in the intense rivalry between iconic fashion designers Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli in this captivating novel from the acclaimed author of The Beautiful American.

Paris, 1938. Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli are fighting for recognition as the most successful and influential fashion designer in France, and their rivalry is already legendary. They oppose each other at every turn, in both their politics and their designs: Chanel’s are classic, elegant, and practical; Schiaparelli’s bold, experimental, and surreal.

When Lily Sutter, a recently widowed young American teacher, visits her brother, Charlie, in Paris, he insists on buying her a couture dress—a Chanel. Lily, however, prefers a Schiaparelli. Charlie’s beautiful and socially prominent girlfriend soon begins wearing Schiaparelli’s designs as well, and much of Paris follows in her footsteps.

Schiaparelli offers budding artist Lily a job at her store, and Lily finds herself increasingly involved with Schiaparelli and Chanel’s personal war. Their fierce competition reaches new and dangerous heights as the Nazis and the looming threat of World War II bear down on Paris.

Insight into the World of Fashion and Friendships

Having read about Coco Chanel I wanted insight into her great rival, Elsa Schiaparelli. It is told through the eyes of Lily Sutter, a young widow who visits her brother in Paris where he is in love with a wealthy woman. Anya introduces Lily to Schiaparelli and to Coco.

In the run up to WWII these three women try to maintain a normal life, to not let down their standards of fashion. The parties continue, the wealthy women compete for position and prestige.

There are so many layers to this story, love, friendship, fashion and how an artist sees the world. Lily’s words about art and color provide great insight and a way to look at the world.

One of the best WWII themed books I have read.

Amazing

Author makes you feel like you are at the elegant Paris parties. You can see the dresses. Great story!!!

Interesting story

I enjoyed the story and storyteller. Great character voices. The story content was an interesting way to tell history, a love story, and give a new perspective on fashion.

Well done

I enjoyed following Lilly’s life intertwined with iconic designers Chanel and Schiaparelli. It was a very good read.

Fashionably wonderful

I really enjoyed this book. The characters were well-drawn and the narration flawless. Ah, to have known Schiaperelli AND Chanel. One could only wish. Highly recommend.

Good story not so good performance

Performer seemed to end every sentence with a sad questioning tone. Could have worked in some cases but it was way over done. Her voice was pleasant tho just the intonation was hard to listen to much of the time.

I loved this book!

I am going to recommend this wonderful historical fiction to my bookclub. I was reading it while visiting Paris and loved seeing and knowing all the locations in the book...had champagne at the Ritz and visited Rue Cambon 31...it is a must read in my book!

The narrator’s voice was perfect

I felt as if I was in a friend’s room as she told me about herself. We had reached a point in time when we could share our thoughts and experiences without judgment. And this brought us closer together. If you like how you feel in your clothes and how it represents your personality, this book would interest you.
I knew the history but loved this perspective.

Amazing story!

I had not known all of the history between Elsa and Coco so this was a fascinating read! The author did amazing job of bringing in historical facts!

Lush descriptions, full characters

I love the way Jeanne Mackin writes: you can see and feel the fabrics and fashions she describes, you can hear the people speaking. Descriptions and metaphors are so rich. Mackin’s dialogue sounds so real and immediate. Her lush words carry along the plot and bring Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli right before you.