Coco Chanel (1883-1971) is one of the twentieth century's most captivating personalities and a defining figure in fashion history. Yet whoever attempts to understand Chanel's life is confronted by countless myths, half-truths and rumours. In this book Justine Picardie discovers the woman behind the legend, and tells Chanel's story with a flair and clarity of which Coco herself would approve. "Chanel Her Life" explores every facet of Chanel's universe: her fascinating private life as well as the famous icons of her fashion empire the tweed jacket, the little black dress, N- 5 perfume, the pearls, and the camellia. The result is a comprehensive biography that reveals Chanel's style to be the outcome of rigorous elegance, resolute self-belief and a determinedly unconventional stance. Picardie was granted access to Chanel's archives and is the first author to have examined previously undiscovered private archives in the United Kingdom and France; and, this unique knowledge underpins "Chanel Her Life". This book, designed and with drawings by Karl Lagerfeld, is the definitive biography of the tantalisingly elusive Coco Chanel.