Coco Chanel and her philosophy in a book from White Star

On August 19, 1883, in Saumur, in France’s Maine-et-Loire region, Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel- one of the 20th century’s most revolutionary figures- was born. ‘Chanel Philosophy,’ a book published by White Star and due in bookshops in November, is dedicated to her and to the fashion house that bears her name. It explores the ideas, style and cultural legacy of a woman who changed the language of fashion forever. 

The book does more than recount the history of a legendary maison; it tells the story of a woman who rewrote the rules of fashion through her own philosophy. Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel irrevocably changed the way women dress, move, and perceive themselves. Independent, revolutionary, and audacious, she forged a timeless style, creating garments and accessories that have become icons in their own right. Chanel Philosophy explores the designer’s innovative vision beyond clothing alone, extending into the fields of accessories, costume jewellery, and fine jewellery- areas in which the French designer was often bolder than traditional jewellers.

Drawing on archival materials, historic designs and exclusive interviews, the book reveals the secret of a luxury that is defined not merely by exclusivity, but also by practical, timeless elegance. “I didn’t like my life, so I created my life,” said Gabrielle Coco Chanel, famously.

Mara Cappelletti is a jewellery historian, writer, and independent exhibition curator. A graduate of IULM University in Milan, she studied the history of jewellery at the Sotheby’s Institute of Art in London. She is the author of numerous publications on the history of jewellery and watchmaking, published in Italy and internationally. Since 2019, she has been a visiting lecturer at the University of Milan, where she teaches the history of jewellery. She is a member of the British Society of Jewellery Historians and is also the author of other successful titles in the Philosophy series: Rolex Philosophy and Hermès Philosophy.

Founded in 1984, White Star is an Italian publishing house recognised internationally for the quality of its illustrated publications. Specialising in photography, reportage, travel, art, nature, and lifestyle, it is distinguished by the graphic excellence and visual impact of its works. With a catalogue of more than 750 titles distributed across six countries- Italy, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Spain- and translated into over 60 languages thanks to a strong network of international co-publishers, White Star has, since 2001, been the official licensee of the National Geographic and National Geographic Kids brands in Italy and, more recently, in other European markets (Germany and Spain).