The book delves into the origins of modern celebrity culture, tracing its roots to 19th-century dandies and literary figures like Beau Brummell and Oscar Wilde. It examines how these personalities crafted distinct images and icons of themselves, influencing contemporary notions of fame. Rhonda Garelick also highlights their complex interactions with women and the performative aspects of their identities, offering a compelling analysis of the evolution of celebrity in our cultural landscape.
"Little black dresses. Fake pearls. Jersey knit. Blazers. Ballet flats. Today--and for nearly the last hundred years--we all see some version of Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel every time we pass a woman on the street. But few among us realize that Chanel's role in the events of the twentieth century was as pervasive as her influence on fashion, or how deeply she absorbed and then brilliantly reimagined the historical currents around her. Here, with unprecedented detail and ambition--and through fascinating, thoroughly researched portraits of Chanel's lovers and friends--Rhonda Garelick shows us the Chanel who conquered the world ... a woman who thirsted to create others in her image, who ruthlessly and innovatively borrowed from her famous (and infamous) intimates, who understood the idea of branding and image well ahead of her time, who created "wearable personality." This is Chanel at the nexus of history: a woman of daring, passion, and legendary vision, in a wonderful biography that gives her long-awaited due"-- Provided by publisher