Heaven, hell & mademoiselle - H.C. Carlton

Four young fashion hopefuls arrive in Paris, 1968, determined to claw their way to the top of the ruthless world of the haute couture. Monique, a seamstress destined to become so much more, watches Chanel's staff spray No 5 perfume in the street outside the famous maison de couture. Can her dreams of success and love come true in this magical place? Christopher, London born and bred, a handsome new designer, determined to make it in a world where sex-appeal and success go hand in hand - and heterosexual men are rare and prized. Samantha, an ultra-spoiled Daddy's girl who always gets her way, has the gift of selling French perfume and fashion with sex, sex and yet more sex. But can a loud, brash American ever conquer the sophisticated ladies of Paris? And hauntingly beautiful Sophie, the top model who becomes Chanel's 'Face' on a million billboards and magazine covers, yet has a terrible secret in her past that refuses to stay buried. Four young lives collide and entangle in the secretive world of French fashion as Harold Carlton weaves a spellbinding tale of passionate love, ambitious rivalry and exquisite clothes.

Harold Carlton sketched the Paris collections for many years for the Sunday Times, the Observer and other publications including Elle magazine. He worked as assistant designer for two Paris maisons de couture, Nina Ricci and Courreges. Subsequently he illustrated Mademoiselle magazine and the New York Times and wrote for the Village Voice. He returned to London to become Menswear Editor of the Sunday Times. He is the author of Labels, which sold more than 1 million copies Stateside.

'For a light summer read I recommend Heaven, Hell and Mademoiselle, a novel by Harold Carlton, set in the world of Paris Haute Couture in the late 1960s.' -April 2010
LIZ JONES

'It's a super, intelligent read.' - May 2010
STAR MAGAZINE

'Follow the fortunes of Monique, Christopher, Sophie and Samantha - and expect back-stabbing, sex and lots of Chanel. Christopher is the butt of many laugh-out-loud moments - particularly his encounter with an older woman who shows him a new meaning for dessert! Frivolous, rude, sun-lounger froth.' - July 2010
PRIMA

'A charming diversion, a book to take on holiday to escape the everyday.. .If you'd like a mental break ... take a visit to the fashion world in Paris in turbulent 1968...' - 2010
AUSTRALIAN WOMAN'S WEEKLY