The Story of the Chanel Suit - Hardcover

by Welbeck (Author)

From its debut in the 1920s to its reinvention on the runway, this timeless two-piece has come to define the effortless sophistication of the Chanel woman.

This book traces the evolution of the Chanel suit through rare archival photography, detailed design analysis, and exclusive insights into the craftsmanship at the heart of the Chanel ateliers. It explores the suit's signature elements - the boxy jacket, braided trim, silk lining, and gilt buttons - and how each has been reinterpreted across decades by designers from Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel to Karl Lagerfeld and Virginie Viard.

Highlighting standout collections, collaborations, and couture creations, the book also celebrates the women who have worn the suit as a statement of power and poise - from Jackie Kennedy to Princess Diana, Kristen Stewart to Beyoncé. With chapters on tailoring techniques, styling tips, and the suit's lasting influence on fashion, feminism, and film, this is the ultimate homage to one of the most iconic garments in history.

Author Biography

Caroline Young is a writer and author specialising in fashion, pop culture and film history. Originally from Edinburgh, her works include Hitchcock's Heroines, What Coco Chanel Can Teach You About Fashion, The It Girls: Glamor, Celebrity and Scandal, and Welbeck's The Colour of Fashion, Audrey in Paris, and Little Book of Chloé. She lives in Edinburgh, UK.