After marrying a successful Parisian writer "Willy" (Dominic West), Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette (Keira Knightley) is transplanted to the intellectual and artistic splendor of Paris. Soon after, Willy convinces Colette to ghostwrite for him. Colette's fight over creative ownership and gender roles drives her to overcome societal constraints, revolutionizing literature, fashion and sexual expression.