Dreaming of Chanel

By Charlotte Smith

Illustrated by Grant Cowan

‘The gorgeous, expressive color sketches that adorn each page are only outdone by the fabulous stories of the women who inspired them… This beautiful book will inspire those who love to dress with flair.’

- Bookseller and Publisher

After the stunning success of Dreaming of Dior, Charlotte Smith offers another irresistible glimpse inside the wardrobe every women would love to own.

Inheriting a priceless vintage collection sounds like every woman’s dream come true. But when Charlotte Smith discovered that her American godmother, Doris Darnell, had made her custodian of more than three thousand pieces dating from 1790 to 1995, including originals by Chanel and Dior, she was more than a little daunted.

From the moment Charlotte uncovered her first treasure, an exquisite 1920s evening dress, she was enchanted. But when she found her godmother’s book of stories, the true value of her inheritance hit home. This wasn't a mere collection of beautiful things, it was a precious collection of women’s lives. Tiny glimpses of our joys and disappointments, our entrances and exits, triumphant and tragic.

In Dreaming of Dior, Charlotte shared some of her treasures and the stories of the women who wore them for the first time. Now, in Dreaming of Chanel with special appearances by Chanel, Vivienne Westwood, Zandra Rhodes, Pucci, Akira and many more, Charlotte offers another unforgettable glimpse inside the magic wardrobe every woman would love to own.

About the author: Charlotte Smith is the custodian of a priceless vintage clothing collection, The Darnell Collection, she inherited from her Quaker godmother, Doris Darnell. Born in Hong Kong and raised in the US, Charlotte has a degree in art history and has lived and worked in the US, England and France. She now lives in Australia.

About the illustrator: After studying fashion design Grant Cowan moved to London to further his career and has worked as an illustrator on magazines like Harper's Bazaar, Elle, Glamour and Red Magazine.