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The Last Collection
The Last Collection: A Novel of Elsa Schiaparelli and Coco Chanel | Jeanne Mackin
16 posts | 9 read | 23 to read
An American woman becomes entangled in the intense rivalry between iconic fashion designers Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli in this vivid novel from the acclaimed author of The Beautiful American. Paris, 1938. Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli ("Schiap") 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. Lily Cooper, a recently widowed American teacher, travels to Paris to visit her brother, Charlie, and try to move on from the loss of her husband. On her first day there, Charlie insists on buying her a couture dress for her birthday--a Chanel. Lily reluctantly agrees but wants a Schiaparelli, not a Chanel. Charlie's girlfriend, Ania, one of the most beautiful and prominent women in Paris, begins wearing Schiap's designs as well, and soon much of Paris is following in her footsteps. Schiap takes an interest in Lily and offers the budding artist a job at her shop. Suddenly, Lily finds herself increasingly involved with Schiap and her personal war with Chanel. And as their fierce competition reaches new and dangerous heights, another war is looming on their doorstep and getting closer every day....
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Sweettartlaura
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So these are all the books I got for my bookish #adventcalendar 🙌🏻

I have only read 1 of these 👍🏻
Several are hardcovers 👍🏻
At first blush, many seem to be historical fiction - I could be wrong - and I‘m iffy on that. That‘s not my usual genre. We‘ll see.
🤷🏻‍♀️
Many are set in Pacific Rim/Asian countries. Which was part of the draw for me 👍🏻

Overall, I‘m looking forward to many of these books.
Glad I did this.

Ruthiella Nice pile of possibilities! I‘ve read and enjoyed the Atkinson title. 👍 13h
Sweettartlaura @Ruthiella I am split on that series. I loved 1 & 3, loathed 2 & 4 🤷🏻‍♀️. I was ok with walking away from it … but now I just happen to have #5 💁🏻‍♀️😜. So I guess I‘ll have to give it a try 😉 13h
Ruthiella Interesting! I‘ve enjoyed them all, but 3 is perhaps my favorite 11h
22 likes3 comments
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KristiAhlers
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Pickpick

I found this to be a solid 4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read. Very entertaining as it is about the real rivalry between Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli. Rich in details and historical background the part of my heart that loves a great historical fiction read was quite pleased.

MargaretPinardAuthor Ooh, sounds good! When did it take place, 1930s? 5y
KristiAhlers @MargaretPinardAuthor it takes place in the 1930‘s leading up to WWII 5y
MargaretPinardAuthor Ha! I passed the cover assumptions test 🤗😅🧐 5y
See All 6 Comments
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Stacked and such a beautiful cover!! 5y
KristiAhlers @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. 5y
KristiAhlers @MargaretPinardAuthor ha! Good job! I love doing that as well testing the cover to the actual time period in the book. 5y
40 likes2 stack adds6 comments
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Biblionut
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Pickpick

A fictionalized account of Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli‘s fashion feud in the 30‘s told by a young American art teacher who befriended them both. The story brought Paris to life at that time with insights into these remarkable women.

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JenlovesJT47
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Pickpick

This tells of the rivalry of Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli in the years leading up to WWII. A bit slow in places but definitely worth reading. It‘s told from the POV of a third party, the fictional character of Lily, recently widowed who becomes good friends with both designers. It‘s interesting learning about the different fashions of the day, and of course I‘m always interested in anything set in Paris. 3.5⭐️

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BritanyA
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Panpan

⭐️: Hard Pass. These characters should have dazzled and delighted and instead I was deeply bored.

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oddandbookish
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Pickpick

This was a really fascinating book. It combined pre-WWII and WWII historical fiction with the cut throat world of haute couture fashion. It took me a little longer to get interested in it, but once I was, I was hooked!

Full review: https://oddandbookish.wordpress.com/2019/07/16/review-the-last-collection/

37 likes2 stack adds
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FeministBookClub
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Started slow but now I‘m into it.

56 likes3 stack adds
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SilversReviews
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Best of Luck!!

This books sounds awesome.

ENTER HERE:

http://tinyurl.com/y2thgmt6

Crazeedi Sounds like an interesting story. I read a book about coco chanel, and it had a bit about the rivalry between schiaparelli and her 6y
SilversReviews @Crazeedi There was a discussion the other night. The book sounds very interesting. Thanks for commenting. 6y
37 likes2 stack adds2 comments
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Amie
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Bailedbailed

I gave this until about 10% and decided it wasn't for me, so moving on. #netgalley

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Reecaspieces
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Pickpick

🍭🍭🍭🍭🍭 review is up on my blog. Stop by and say hi. This is a good one. https://reecaspieces.com/2019/06/25/the-last-collection-by-jeanne-mackin-berkley...

74 likes1 stack add
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KatieDid927
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Pickpick

This was enjoyable. I can be picky about historical fiction that features real people, but the author did her research. The story itself was interesting and I was along for the ride. I was also glad to learn more about Schiaparelli. #ARC

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KatieDid927
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It‘s heeeeere!!! Thanks @JamieLou !! 🤗 Now we play the waiting game...

#SummerSantaGoesPostal @BookishMarginalia

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Lisas.Library
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When Lily Sutter, a recently widowed young American teacher, visit her brother in Paris, he insists on buying her a Chanel dress. However, Lily prefers a Schiaparelli.

Schiaparelli offers Lily a job at her store, and soon Lily finds herself increasingly involved with Schiaparelli and Chanel‘s personal war.

This sounds fun!!
Coming June 25, 2019
@BerkleyPub

Velvetfur That sounds fantastic! Stacked 👍 6y
Lisas.Library @Velvetfur ~ doesn‘t it!! And I love the cover! 6y
87 likes7 stack adds2 comments
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Booksnchill
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Thanks to Penguin Random House for this ARC of a novel about Elsa Schiaparelli and Coco Chanel that releases on June 25. Looks like a great summer read!

LeslieO Oh this sounds good! 6y
Booksnchill @LeslieO 👗👠💍💎 6y
59 likes1 stack add2 comments
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Rhondareads
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Coco Chanel ,Elsa Schiaparelli rivals in the world of fashion. Gorgeous designs perfect dresses a delicious story of their rivalry and one young woman who becomes involved in their personal war of design. @BerkleyPub

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Traveler13
Pickpick

I loved this little glimpse of fashion history. Schiaparelli isn‘t someone that has had the ink spike on her that Chanel has so sewing more of her was fun.