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With its rich golden hue, art deco–inspired bottle, and timeless, musky scent, Chanel No. 5 is the world’s bestselling perfume and arguably the most coveted luxury product of the twentieth century. In The Secret of Chanel No. 5, Tilar J. Mazzeo offers a fascinating account of No. 5’s creation, its rise to iconic status, and the legacy of its extraordinary success. Mazzeo delves deeply into the life of Coco Chanel, the brilliant, controversial, and steel-willed businesswoman at the heart of the fragrance. She walks the rose plantations and jasmine fields where the perfume’s life begins, and travels to 31 Rue Cambon, the center of the Chanel empire. A blend of evocative history and thoughtful research, here is a glittering account of where art and sensuality mingle with dazzling entrepreneurship and desire: Chanel No. 5.
In a world saturated with perfume aromas, Chanel No. 5 stands out. For nine decades, this celebrated fragrance has maintained its popularity even against thousands of more recent competitors. In fact, this iconic scent remains the world's bestselling perfume: According to Chanel, a bottle is purchased every 55 seconds. Tilar J. Mazzeo's The Secret of Chanel No. 5 unwraps the package of its captivating history and elusive appeal. Intimate and elegant.
The bestselling author of The Widow Clicquot (2008) turns her attention to the world's most iconic perfume and the fascinating woman behind it.
Much has already been written about Coco Chanel, and with good reason—not only because of her undeniable legacy, but also because of a life story usually viewed through the lens of 19th-century bildungsroman novels. Abandoned by her parents to a convent, she was a dancer at the Moulin Rouge, a mistress to the French aristocracy and an acquaintance of ruined Russian royalty—all while building the greatest fashion empire in the world. Chanel No. 5, her signature fragrance, was only a tiny part of this remarkable life. However, in the skilled hands of cultural historian Mazzeo (English/Colby Coll.), it becomes a magnificent window through which to understand her and her milieu.The author argues that the scent was the crown of Chanel's career and that it weaves together many of the obscure pieces of her life in an intriguing way—from the passion for cleanliness that she inherited from the nuns that raised her to the seductive musks she picked up in the dressing rooms as a burlesque dancer to the almost forgotten Moscow perfumer that she learned about from a lover exiled on the Riviera. Chanel No. 5, "the scent of beautiful extravagance," is also a perfect example of Chanel's remarkable business sense. In explaining how decisions like using a simple apothecary bottle in place of a more ornate design or giving out samples to friends at a pre-launch party paved the road for the perfume's market dominance, Mazzeo illuminates the greater success of the Chanel line as a whole.
Impeccable research and crafting make a seemingly narrow topic feel infinitely important.
Tilar J. Mazzeo is a cultural historian, biographer, and author of the New York Times bestseller The Widow Clicquot. She lives in northern California, New York City, and Maine, where she teaches English at Colby College.
Well written historical view of perfume and culture around it. You have to be into fashion and cultural history to really get into this. I decided to read it after seeing a couple of the Chanel movies (if you liked 'Coco and Igor' you may like this, too).
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Sarjevane
Posted December 26, 2010
Tilar Mazzeo has a rare talent to bring business history to life. She definitely goes through a thorough research for each of her books, and at the same time bring it to life in a novel like writing.
This book is great for anyone who think they know about Chanel, luxury business, marketing, or simply love and relationship. You know more about the business, but also the person behind Chanel.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 5, 2012
great read history for non academics.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 19, 2011
I have been a fan of Tilar Mazzeo since I read The Widow Clicquot. She has this magnificent skill of mixing history, business and romance.
Once you start a Mazzeo book, it is hard to put it down.
She also completes the package by always having great design on her books.
Can-t wait till Ritz at War comes out. :))
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 13, 2013
Just wondering about the content here.
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Overview
With its rich golden hue, art deco–inspired bottle, and timeless, musky scent, Chanel No. 5 is the world’s bestselling perfume and arguably the most coveted luxury product of the twentieth century. In The Secret of Chanel No. 5, Tilar J. Mazzeo offers a fascinating account of No. 5’s creation, its rise to iconic status, and the legacy of its extraordinary success. Mazzeo delves deeply into the life of Coco Chanel, the brilliant, controversial, and steel-willed businesswoman at the heart of the fragrance. She ...