Coco Chanel 'worked for Nazis'

American biographer claims French fashion icon was recruited into German intelligence, had a lover who was honored by Hitler and Goebbels during war. 'She shared the rich's dislike of Jews,' author saysAnti-Semitism hiding behind chic clothes? Legendary French fashion designer Coco Chanel collaborated with the Nazis during World War II, American journalist Hal Vaughn claims in a new biography.

The book, "Sleeping With the Enemy: Coco Chanel's Secret War," was published in the United States and outlines the fashion icon's life.

According to Vaughn, the Daily Mail reported Sunday, Chanel was 'fiercely anti-Semitic long before it became a question of pleasing the Germans. She became rich by catering to the very rich, and shared their dislike of Jews, trade unions, socialism, Freemasons, and communism.' Vaughn, an American who lives in Paris, claims in his book that in 1940 the fashion icon was recruited into Abwehr, a German military intelligence organization, and had a lover, Baron Hans Gunther von Dincklage, who was honored by Hitler and Goebbels during the war.

According to the book, Chanel collaborated and slept with the German agent, dabbled in Nazi foreign policy, and shared the opinions about Jews of her ex-lover, the Duke of Westminster.

Her code name in Abwehr records was Agent F-7124 or even "Westminster" after the anti-Semitic Duke, Vaughn writes.

The British newspaper notes that if the book is true, Chanel joins reams of esteemed French artists who collaborated with the Nazis during World War II – including actor and singer Maurice Chevalier, writer Jean Cocteau, director Sacha Guitry, choreographer Serge Lifar, and legendary singer Edith Piaf.

In addition, the paper says, staff and owners of many great French businesses like Cartier have also been mentioned in the past as Nazi enablers and sympathizers.