Dreaming of Chanel

Inheriting a priceless vintage collection sounds like every woman's dream come true.

But when Charlotte Smith discovered that her American godmother, Doris Darnell, had made her custodian of more than three thousand pieces dating from 1790 to 1995, including originals by Chanel and Dior, she was more than a little daunted.

From the moment Charlotte uncovered her first treasure, an exquisite 1920s evening dress, she was enchanted. But when she found her godmother's book of stories, the true value of her inheritance hit home. This wasn't a mere collection of beautiful things, it was a precious collection of women's lives. Tiny glimpses of our joys and disappointments, our entrances and exits, triumphant and tragic.

In DREAMING OF DIOR, Charlotte shared some of her treasures and the stories of the women who wore them for the first time.

Now, in DREAMING OF CHANEL with special appearances by Chanel, Vivienne Westwood, Zandra Rhodes, Pucci, Akira and many more, Charlotte offers another unforgettable glimpse inside the magic wardrobe every woman would love to own.

About the Author

Charlotte Smith is the curator of the Darnell Collection, Australia's largest private collection of vintage clothing and accessories, which she inherited from her American godmother, Doris Darnell. Born in Hong Kong and raised in the United States, Charlotte has lived and worked in America, England and France but now lives in the Blue Mountains, Australia. She has a degree in Art History and lectures on the history of fashion.