Paul Morand was born in Paris in 1888 and after studying at the Ecole des Science Politiques he joined the diplomatic corps, serving in London, Rome, Berne and Bucharest. His first collection of stories Tendres Stocks (1921), had an introduction by his friend Marcel Proust. In a long and busy life, he found time to write poetry, novels, short stories and travel books. Morand was made a member of the Academie Francaise in 1963. He was married to the Romanian princess Hélène Soutzo, and he died in 1976 the year the first edition of The Allure of Chanel was published in Paris.

The story of Coco Chanel in her own words, as told by her to Paul Morand, in a beautfiul new paperback edition

Perfect for fans of the luxurious and exceptional world of Chanel, and of Daniele Bott's landmark book Chanel: Collections and Creations

Coco Chanel invited Paul Morand to visit her in St Moritz at the end of the Second World War when he was given the opportunity to write her memoirs; his notes of their intimate conversations were put away in a drawer and only came to light a year after Chanel's death.

Through Morand's transcription of their conversations, Chanel tells us about her friendship with Misia Sert, the men in her life, her philosophy of fashion and the story behind the legendary Chanel No. 5 perfume.

These memories of Coco Chanel told in her own words artfully sketches the elusive, mysterious and charming woman behind Chanel.