Coco Chanel lived her life as a romantic heroine.

Fuelled by nineteenth century literature, she built a life that was part myth, part fact.

She was the fashion designer everyone admired. The business woman whose fortunes were impossible to track. She was a performer and the lover of many high profile intellectuals. She was also believed, by many, to have been a Nazi spy.

Her life was impacted heavily by history; the Second World War left an indelible trace. She was also greatly influenced by symbolism and literature, both huge sources of inspiration.

This biography explores the course of her life, from her troubled and poverty stricken upbringing to the opening of her first hat shop. We discover Coco's passions and secrets, uncovering the myths and the facts of her life and examining how they match up, if at all.

There are chapters focussing on the Chanel Maison and the creation of her iconic trademark, as well as her 'little black dress' and 'Chanel No 5'. Three exclusive interviews with individuals who have known Coco and researched her life also feature.

Finally, the biography ends with a reflection on how the myth and legacy of Coco Chanel is represented today in pop culture.