The Secret of Chanel No. 5: The Intimate History of the World's Most Famous Perfume [Book]

The unauthorized biography of the world's most famous, seductive, and successful perfume With its rich golden hue, art deco–inspired bottle, and timeless, musky scent, Chanel No. 5 is the world's bestselling perfume. Reverently known among industry insiders as le monstre—the monster—it is arguably the most coveted consumer luxury product of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.

About the Book Who knew that such a tiny bottle housed so many secrets? Michael Tonello, author of Bringing Home the Birkin Tilar J. Mazzeo, author of the New York Times bestseller The Widow Clicquot (an Best of the Month book in October 2008) returns with a captivating history of the world s most famous, seductive, and popular perfume: Chanel No. 5. Mazzeo s sweeping story of the iconic scent (known as le monstre in the fragrance industry) stretches from Coco Chanel s early success to the rise of the seminal fragrance during the 1950s to the confirmation of its bestseller status in today s crowded perfume market. Here is the life of one of the 20th century s most interesting and deeply complicated women, a fascinating cultural history, and the story of an extraordinary perfume. Chandler Burr, New York Times scent critic and author of The Perfect Scent Book Synopsis Who knew that such a tiny bottle housed so many secrets? -- Michael Tonello, author of Bringing Home the Birkin Here is the life of one of the 20th centurys most interesting and deeply complicated women, a fascinating cultural history, and the story of an extraordinary perfume. -- Chandler Burr, New York Times scent critic and author of The Perfect Scent Tilar J. Mazzeo, author of the New York Times bestseller The Widow Clicquot (an Best of the Month book in October 2008) returns with a captivating history of the worlds most famous, seductive, and popular perfume: Chanel No. 5. Mazzeos sweeping story of the iconic scent (known as le monstre in the fragrance industry) stretches from Coco Chanels early success to the rise of the seminal fragrance during the 1950s to the confirmation of its bestseller status in todays crowded perfume market. From the Back Cover With its rich golden hue, art deco-inspired bottle, and timeless, musky scent, Chanel No. 5 is the worlds bestselling perfume and arguably the most coveted luxury product of the twentieth century. In The Secret of Chanel No. 5 , Tilar J. Mazzeo offers a fascinating account of No. 5s creation, its rise to iconic status, and the legacy of its extraordinary success. Mazzeo delves deeply into the life of Coco Chanel, the brilliant, controversial, and steel-willed businesswoman at the heart of the fragrance. She walks the rose plantations and jasmine fields where the perfumes life begins, and travels to 31 Rue Cambon, the center of the Chanel empire. A blend of evocative history and thoughtful research, here is a glittering account of where art and sensuality mingle with dazzling entrepreneurship and desire: Chanel No. 5. Review Quotes [Mazzeo] explores interconnections between designer and perfume, teasing out the relationship with delicacy. -- New York Times Book Review [In] the skilled hands of cultural historian Mazzeo, [the perfume] becomes a magnificent window through which to understand [Coco Chanel] and her milieu Impeccable research and crafting make a seemingly narrow topic feel infinitely important. -- Kirkus Reviews This is one case where historical fact eclipses the legend and lore of the object itself--theres much, much more than meets the nose to discover in these pages. -- Booklist Engaging. -- Wall Street Journal Mazzeos lush prosenever bogs down in the details--despite the extensive research showcased in the bibliography--and a smooth pacing keeps it moving along at a fast clip. This work is definitely recommended to lovers of 20th-century cultural history, Coco Chanel, and, of course, the worlds best-selling perfume. -- Library Journal Mazzeo has written an account of the rarest of things-an international olfactory icon-that fairly rushes off the pages. Here is the life of one of the 20th centurys most interesting and deeply complicated women, a fascinating cultural history, and the story of an extraordinary perfume. -- Chandler Burr, New York Times scent critic and author of The Perfect Scent Told in a light and graceful style that is just right for its subject. [I]ts a fascinating trip, made even more so by Ms. Mazzeos charming cameo appearances as a kind of tour guide. This example of Barbe-Nicoles voice is exceptionalan intoxicating business biography. -- Julia Flynn Siler, Wall Street Journal The true brilliance of The Secret of Chanel No. 5 is Tilar Mazzeos ability to take a subject one would never have thought possible to think very deeply about and then cover it so captivatingly. Who knew that such a tiny bottle housed so many secrets? -- Michael Tonello, author of Bringing Home the Birkin Anyone whos ever dawdled in front of a perfume counter will love Tilar Mazzeos fascinating history of the perfume known simply as No. 5; her rich and witty account is as compelling as the fragrance itself. -- Karen Karbo, author of The Gospel According to Coco Chanel The Widow Clicquot, Tilar J. Mazzeos sweeping oenobiography of Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin, is the story of a woman who was a smashing success long before anyone conceptualized the glass ceiling. -- New York Times Book Review Tilar J. Mazzeos informed and enlightening biography of Madame Clicquot, the widow and, more important, the businesswoman, retrieves her vintage story as if looking for a rare bottle in one of the Champagne regions deepest caves. -- Newsday A miraculous feat of organization, one worthy of a doctoral thesis. [I]n its moments of action, this is actually a gripping story. And while the book appears to be a feminist history/business biography, its also the appealing story of the authors odyssey. -- Austin Chronicle If you like champagne, The Widow Clicquot by Tilar J. Mazzeo is definitely worth a drink. -- Lisa Ko, author of The Leavers An enticing stew of biography and history. -- USA Today

TARGET The Secret of Chanel No. 5 - by Tilar J Mazzeo (Paperback

The author guides us through the intoxicating world of the perfumer, from ancient Egypt to wartime Paris – and explains what Guerlain meant when he said his fragrances contained a whiff of his mistress's bottom

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A stunning two-book set, presented in a deluxe box that celebrates the most beloved fragrance in the world: Chanel No. 5 Arguably the most famous perfume in the world--most memorably endorsed by Marilyn Monroe--Chanel No. 5 continues to fascinate and claim millions of devotees around the world. Created in 1921 by Gabrielle Coco Chanel, the perfume was one of the first to use synthetics.

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