Coco Chanel (1883-1971) is one of the twentieth century's most captivating personalities and a defining figure in fashion history. Yet whoever attempts to understand Chanel's life is confronted by countless myths, half-truths and rumours. In this book Justine Picardie discovers the woman behind the legend, and tells Chanel's story with a flair and clarity of which Coco herself would approve. Chanel Her Life explores every facet of Chanel's universe: her fascinating private life as well as the famous icons of her fashion empire - the tweed jacket, the little black dress, N° 5 perfume, the pearls, the camellia. The result is a comprehensive biography that reveals Chanel's style to be the outcome of rigorous elegance, resolute self-belief and a determinedly unconventional stance. Picardie was granted access to Chanel's archives and is the first author to have examined previously undiscovered private archives in the United Kingdom and France; and this unique knowledge underpins Chanel - Her Life. The book, designed and with drawings by Karl Lagerfeld, is the definitive biography of the tantalisingly elusive Coco Chanel. Born in 1961, Justine Picardie is an acclaimed journalist and author. Formerly features editor of British Vogue and editor of the Observer magazine, she now writes for publications including the Sunday Telegraph and Harper's Bazaar. Picardie's books include If the Spirit Moves You (2001), Wish I May (2004) and Daphne (2008).