Review : The Last Collection by Jeanne Mackin

This book was sent to me by Berkley and Penguin  in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are 100% authentic and 100% my own.

My current read is The Last Collection by Jeanne Mackin. I love historical fiction because it often exposes me to events that I literally had no idea happened, and this book is no exception. If you are a fan of HF and fashion, you MUST add this to your TBR pile!

Title: The Last Collection

Author: Jeanne Mackin

Publisher: Berkley

Pub Date: 6/25/2019

Purchase Here: B&N/ Amazon /Target

 

 

From the Publisher:

Would you believe that Coco Chanel once had a rivalry with a fellow designer that was so intense, that she (accidentally) lit Elsa Schiaparelli on fire by dancing her into a flaming candelabrum?  It’s absolutely true, and for the first time in fiction, author Jeanne Mackin explores the pre-War rivalry between Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli in her new historical novel THE LAST COLLECTION (Berkley Hardcover; June 25, 2019). Included in InStyle’s Summer Reading list this week, this dazzling novel transports the reader to Paris in 1938—where Germany’s imminent invasion looms as haute couture designers battle for household name status. Everyone knows Coco Chanel. But if you’re unfamiliar with fashion history, you might not know about her biggest rival: thewild, colorful, and imaginative Elsa “Schiap” Schiaparelli. And while much has been written about Chanel, little has been about Schiaparelli—until now.

 

In THE LAST COLLECTION, “Schiap” and Coco fight to dress the gorgeous, well-heeled Parisian women—the influencers of their day—and to define what high fashion should look like. A young assistant comes to work for Schiap, and meets Chanel in the process, casually observing their intense competition while learning to respect each woman for her contribution to the scene.

 

The novel also exposes pre-WWII sentiments in Paris.  While the Coco/Schiap rivalry is rooted in fashion, it’s enflamed by political tension: France stands on the brink of German occupation, and the country is deeply divided. Steeped in historical research, Mackin also exposes Chanel’s rumored affair with a Nazi and German collaboration. And she brings to light the very real fear at the time that the Germans would move the high fashion business out of France and info Germany, a move that would have changed everything we know about fashion today.

Review: I’m totally immersed in this novel. It’s fascinating to me because I was feeling a little burned out on WW2 historical fiction, but this book totally reinvigorated me. The combination of fashion, drama, and history is perfectly balanced and the descriptions of Paris are vibrant and utterly seductive. I also can’t believe I was unaware of this rivalry. I love that Mackin is completely honest about these women. She doesn’t hide their shortcomings and faults and she doesn’t use revisionist history. It’s glamorous but terrible and riveting but ugly.

Does this sound like something you’d enjoy? Comment below, I’d love you hear your thoughts!

xo

S