The Last Collection

Author(s): Jeanne Mackin

Location(s): Paris

Genre(s): Fiction

Era(s): Late 1930s

Paris, 1938.

Coco Chanel and Elsa Schiaparelli (‘Schiap’) 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 American teacher, travels to Paris to visit her brother, Charlie, he insists on buying her a couture dress for her birthday – a Chanel. Lily reluctantly agrees but wants a Schiaparelli, not a Chanel.

Charlie’s girlfriend, Ania, one of the most beautiful and prominent women in Paris, begins wearing Schiap’s designs as well, and soon much of Paris is following in her footsteps. Schiap takes an interest in Lily and offers the budding artist a job at her shop.

Suddenly, Lily finds herself increasingly involved with Schiap and her personal war with Chanel. And as their fierce competition reaches new and dangerous heights, another war is looming on their doorstep and getting closer every day…

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