Coco Chanel
This story is about getting to know the history of Chanel.
I have always been interested in fashion but I didn’t know many things about the fashion houses until I ran into some online information that led me to a book about Chanel’s life. It had quite an impact since I decided to go after her traces in Paris.
It all started with a book called << Coco Chanel: An Intimate Life >> by Lisa Chaney that was indeed moving. (there are also a few films about Coco Chanel's life but I'm not sure if they do reflect her entire life). I wouldn't like to give you spoilers but it starts with little Gabrielle who had just been abandoned by her father in a convent along with her sister. They tried to navigate the convent life but around 16y, Gabrielle leaves the convent and starts a new life. She tried to sing, she met a few wealthy men. Her ambition of living a better life leads her to this rich man and with his help she starts the fashion business.
It's also interesting to see how the business develops based on her ideas of making clothes simple and wearable and how she brings to life statement pieces that we still use today, like the little black dress, like her accessories made out of comun metals.
The book also speaks about famous people she got in touch with throughout her life: Picasso, Dali, Schiaparelli but also about her connection with the Nazi.
This book took me to Paris to the first Chanel in Paris on Cambon street to see what I had in my mind related to her first shop, like the stairs where she used to present her collections.
It also led me to the Ritz in Paris to see her flat. That was a unique experience.
This journey also led me to the Victoria and Alberts Museum for a Schiaparelli exhibition (you can see the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watchv=9UZdRPRrNtM&list=PLL3Pw8DPZj3uc3JMFKVO61a814a01_A1) and this is how I discovered more about Elsa's work and her influence in fashion.
Chanel and Schiaparelli had different approaches to fashion but they both had an impact on how we dress nowadays.
I wouldn't like to get you bored with a lot of details, but feel free to contact me for more information.
Andreea.
Comments