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The Last Collection by Jeanne Mackin
GENRE: Historical Romance
BLURB:
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.
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“Sophisticated couture wars and looming world wars take center stage in Mackin’s latest, with a plot that buzzes with love triangles and political intrigue. A gorgeous meditation on art, fashion, and heartbreak. Stunning.”
–Fiona Davis, national bestselling author of The Masterpiece
“Exquisitely melding world politics and high fashion, THE LAST COLLECTION is a smart, witty, heartfelt, and riveting look at the infamous rivalry between Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli set against a gripping period in history. Mackin’s powerful novel brings these characters to life and transports the reader, juxtaposing both the gaiety and tension of Paris on the brink of war. As elegant and captivating as the designs depicted in the novel, THE LAST COLLECTION is the perfect read for both historical fiction lovers and fashion aficionados. Simply stunning.”
–Chanel Cleeton, USA Today bestselling author of Next Year in Havana
“A wonderful story of two intensely creative women, their vibrant joie de vivre, and backbiting competition played out against the increasingly ominous threat of the Nazi invasion of Paris. Seamless research makes every character leap to life and kept me totally engaged from beginning to end.
–Shelley Noble, New York Times bestselling author of Lighthouse Beach
“A vibrant portrait of two designers cut from very different cloth, Jeanne Mackin’s THE LAST COLLECTION pits bold Coco Chanel and colorful Elsa Schiaparelli against each other in a fiery feud even as the ominous clouds of World War II darken the horizon. A captivating read!”
–Stephanie Marie Thornton, author of American Princess
“As Hitler and the Nazis gather strength and the world braces for war, Elsa Schiaparelli and Coco Chanel, whose politics differ as much as their couture, wage a war of their own. Lily Sutter, the woman who finds herself in the middle of their feud, has a battle of her own as she struggles to make a new start amidst extreme grief and loss. From New York to Paris, Jeanne Mackin takes the reader on an enthralling journey, complete with such vivid descriptions of the clothing, you can practically see them on the page. Beautifully rendered and meticulously researched, THE LAST COLLECTION is a must read.”
–Renée Rosen, author of Park Avenue Summer
EXCERPT
Of the three primary colors, blue is most suggestive of paradox: it is the color of longing and sadness, and yet it is also the color of joy and fulfillment. On a ship, at night, blue water merges into blue sky, so blue is the color of places with no borders, no edges.
If you throw salt into a fire, the flames will burn blue. Salt rubbed into a wound renews the pain, intensifies it. Seeing others kiss and embrace was salt in my wound, a blue flame burning the length of me.
Blue best represents the contradictions of the heart, the need to be loved and cherished at the same time that we wish for freedom.
Blue, the color of the Worth gown that the little girl Elsa Schiaparelli found in her Roman piazza attic, the color of the covers of the penny romances Coco Chanel found in the orphanage attic.
Blue is what made Elsa Schiaparelli’s daring color, shocking pink, so special: it is pink infused with blue, turning a demure blush into an electric surge. Schiaparelli turned girlish pink into the color of seduction by adding that touch of blue.
And always, there is the blue of the Paris sky on a June day.
Listen. I’m going to tell you a story about fashion, and politics. And, of course, about love. The three primaries, like the primary colors.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Jeanne Mackin ‘s latest novel, The Last Collection, A Novel of Elsa Schiaparelli and Coco Chanel takes the reader to Paris, just before world war II, and the intense, dangerous rivalry between the two queens of fashion. Her previous novels include A Lady of Good Family, the award winning The Beautiful American, The Sweet By and By, Dreams of Empire, The Queen’s War, and The Frenchwoman.
Her historical fictions explore the lives of strong women who change their worlds…because we know the world always needs a lot of change! She has worked all the traditional ‘writers’ jobs’ from waitressing to hotel maid, anything that would leave her a few hours each morning for writing. Most recently, she taught creative writing at the graduate level. She has traveled widely, in Europe and the Middle East and can think of no happier moment than sitting in a Paris café, drinking coffee or a Pernod, and simply watching, while scribbling in a notebook.
JeanneMackin.com
Facebook.com/JeanneMackinauthor
Twitter.com/JeanneMackin1
Penguin Random House – https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/531859/the-last-collection-by-jeanne-mackin/
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Thanks for hosting!
my pleasure
Thanks so much for sharing this with us! Hope you are doing well!
hanging in there. i hope you and yours are doing well too
hi kindlemom, I am doing well. Hope you are, too!
so far so good here and i’m glad to hear you are staying well
staying well…and getting a lot of reading done. At some point I might actually do some housework. Or not.
i feel the same way. it will be there tomorrow LOL
It sounds like a fascinating story.Thank you for sharing it.
hope you get a chance to read it judy.
it was certainly fascinating for me, doing the research. Learned a lot about couture and the politics of fashion.
Great blog post
thanks liz
I haven’t heard of Elsa Schiaparelli before, shows how much I know about fashion.
yeah, i am not much of a fashion diva either, but i thought this would be fun to share
I’ve been living in pajamas for weeks. So my couture sense needs an update. But what really got me with this material and research was the tight connection between politics and fashion. Bloomers, pink hats, baseball caps…we signal things with our clothes, right?
I love historical reads. This one sounds like I’ll truly enjoy it.
so glad to hear that cathy and i hope you get a chance to read it
thanks, Cathy!
thanks so much for hosting! I hope everyone is having a comfortable, and safe summer. Staying at home so much can be hard, but does provide reading time. I hope you enjoy my novel. I loved doing the research for this, being in Paris…at least in my imagination.
best wishes from the author
it’s my pleasure jeanne
I love the red and gray cover. This sounds like one I would enjoy!
thanks…I think the publisher did a great job on the cover. hope you enjoy
This sounds fantastic, thanks for sharing!
my pleasure
This sounds amazing! Im excited to read it.
glad to hear it shannon
I love stories in that time period and the fashion world setting is interesting. Sounds good.
good luck sophia
Sounds good, thanks for the review!
good luck julie
Great giveaway and excerpt. 🙂
good luck cali
this looks like a great read
sweet
Icon fashion – I’m all over this. Love it.
Iconic
yay
Looks amazing! Thanks for sharing!
my pleasure
This totally sounds like a must read for historical fiction fans like me! The publisher did a great job on the cover.
Happy Tuesday, Sherry!
thanks veronica
Thank you for sharing this with us, looks like a good collection
my pleasure jennifer
I’m intrigued about this one!
thanks laura
How long does it take for you to research a book? Sounds like a good read!
great question barrie
Thanks for hosting. This looks really good.
good luck sandra
This book sounds like an interesting read. Thanks for the giveaway.
good luck suzanne
How do you find storylines?
great question barrie
I find stories by reading nonfiction and histories of my favorite eras. Some of the strangest stories, such as the one about Coco setting Elsa Schilaparelli on fire at ball, are absolutely true.
Interested in reading this book.
glad to hear it
Coco Chanel had an extremely interesting life. This should be a good one. I look forward to reading it.
wishing you luck in the giveaway denise
Sounds good! Thank you
you are welcome teresa
Thanks for this chance..
my pleasure brandon. good luck
There is much controversy surrounding Coco Chanel’ activities during WWII. This promises to be a very interesting read.
now you have me curiouser
THANKS TO EVERYONE FOR THE WONDERFUL RESPONSE! I APPRECIATE EACH AND EVERY COMMENT. WISHING YOU ALL LUCK AND STAY SAFE!
thank you all for your interest!
Yes, Coco was a challenging, interesting character to fictionalize. She was in some ways typical of the rich people of her time and to some extent our own: they can feel indifferent, immune to the possibility of the suffering of others. Coco dated a German officer; she also dated a well known member of the French resistance. Her loyalty was to herself, her art. She made an interesting contrast to Elsa Schiaparelli, who was very political and leftist…one of the many differences between these two.
again, thanks!