Concept

Nana by Émile Zola focuss on the main character Nana – growing up in the slums of Paris, living under poverty and alcoholic parents. She rises from being a streetwalker to a high-class prostitute. Her charm and sensuality attracts men of the upper Parisian society as she manipulates and strips men of their fortune, even driving some to their own death. 

The cover design takes on the concept of stripping layers (referencing clothing) and taking that idea into the different layers/tearing of paper.  The use of a bold serif font compliments the simple background, in addition serif types are usually well associated with an older and classic feel which is well reflected for a re-designed book cover of a classic novel.