The Secret of Chanel No. 5: The Intimate History of the World's Most Famous Perfume

Tilar J. Mazzeo traces the life of Chanel No. 5 from its creation in the 1920s to its status as a global icon, weaving together the personal history of Coco Chanel with the broader currents of fashion, commerce, and social change. The narrative moves beyond simple biography to explore how a single scent became a cultural artifact, reflecting the rise of the modern luxury industry and the evolving role of women in the twentieth century.

Written with a blend of historical rigor and narrative flair, the book examines the alchemy of perfume-making, the strategic marketing that defined the brand, and the complex relationship between the creator and the product. Mazzeo situates the fragrance within the context of World War II, the post-war boom, and the shifting aesthetics of the late twentieth century, offering a detailed look at how a commercial product can acquire the weight of history and myth.

Description adapted from Open Library bibliographic data ↗.