COCO CHANEL | Draw My Life

Summary

Coco Chanel, born Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, revolutionized fashion in the 20th century with her elegant yet simple designs. Overcoming a challenging childhood, she rose to prominence, opening her first store in Paris in 1910. Her innovative creations, including Chanel No. 5 perfume, defined a new era of women's fashion. Despite setbacks, including World War II controversies and a temporary retreat from the industry, Chanel's legacy thrived with endorsements from iconic figures like Audrey Hepburn. Her timeless style continues to influence fashion, proving that elegance and comfort can coexist.

Takeaways

• 👗 Coco Chanel was a pivotal figure in fashion and the 20th century, known for her innovative and elegant designs.
• 🏡 Born in 1883 in Saumur, France, to a street vendor and a peasant, Chanel faced a challenging childhood and was orphaned at 11.
• 🧵 At the orphanage, she learned essential skills like sewing, embroidery, and ironing, which were foundational to her later career.
• 🎤 Initially aspiring to be a singer, she transitioned to fashion after realizing she lacked a strong singing voice.
• 💍 Meeting Etienne Balsan and later Arthur Capel significantly influenced her entry into high society and her fashion business.
• 🎩 She started her fashion journey by making hats, which gained popularity at social events, leading to her first store in Paris in 1909.
• 👚 Known for her simple and comfortable yet elegant designs, she broke away from the opulent fashion trends of her time.
• 💼 With the support of Arthur Capel, she expanded her business, opening stores in Deauville and Biarritz, and eventually in the US.
• 🚗 Tragedy struck in 1919 with the death of Arthur Capel, her long-term partner and supporter.
• 🌺 In 1921, she created the iconic Chanel No. 5 perfume, which became a massive success despite initial contractual challenges.
• 👑 She had a high-profile relationship with the Duke of Westminster, choosing her independence over becoming a duchess.
• 🎬 Her venture into Hollywood was less successful, as her designs did not align with the extravagant tastes of the film industry.
• 🌐 During WWII, she closed most of her stores and faced accusations of Nazi collaboration, which she and her house denied.
• 🇫🇷 After the war, she was interrogated but released, and she retreated to Switzerland for a decade before her fashion comeback in 1954.
• 🔝 In her later years, she regained her status as a fashion icon, with celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn endorsing her style.
• 💎 She ventured into designing jewelry and costume jewelry, expanding the Chanel brand beyond clothing and perfume.
• 🏙 Towards the end of her life, she became more reclusive, and her health declined, leading to her death in 1971 at the Ritz Hotel in Paris.
• 🕊 Coco Chanel's legacy endures, having demonstrated that elegance and practicality can coexist, offering women freedom in fashion.

Q & A

Who was Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel more commonly known as?

Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel was more commonly known as Coco Chanel.

When and where was Coco Chanel born?

Coco Chanel was born on the 29th of August 1883 in Saumur, a little village in the northeast of France.

What were the early life conditions of Coco Chanel like?

Coco Chanel's early life was rough, living under very precarious conditions. Her mother died when she was 11, and her father decided to give his children up for adoption.

What skills did Coco Chanel learn at the orphanage of the Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Mary?

At the orphanage, Coco Chanel learned how to sew, embroider, and iron.

What was the significance of the relationship between Coco Chanel and Etienne Balsan?

Etienne Balsan was a socialite and rich heir who Coco Chanel fell in love with. Their relationship allowed her to be around high-class society, which was a new opportunity for her.

Who was Arthur Edward Capel and what was his role in Coco Chanel's career?

Arthur Edward Capel was an English captain and one of Coco Chanel's life partners. He believed in her talent and helped fund her first stores in Paris.

What was the impact of Coco Chanel's designs in the early 20th century?

Coco Chanel's designs stood out for breaking with the opulence of the times, creating a line of simple and comfortable clothes while maintaining elegance.

What was the significance of Chanel No. 5 in Coco Chanel's career?

Chanel No. 5 was Coco Chanel's first perfume, which was a total success and played a significant role in her business, although she had to fight for control over its commercialization.

What happened to Coco Chanel during the Second World War?

During the Nazi occupation in Paris, Coco Chanel lived in the Ritz Hotel with German high officers, which led to accusations of her collaborating with the Nazis, although she and the Chanel House always denied any implication.

What was the reason for Coco Chanel's temporary exit from the fashion world?

Coco Chanel closed all her stores except for the main boutique during the Second World War, stating that 'THEY WERE NOT TIMES FOR FASHION'. She then lived in Lausanne, Switzerland, away from the fashion world for ten years.

How did Coco Chanel make her comeback in the fashion industry?

Coco Chanel made her comeback in 1954 by re-opening her High Fashion House. Gradually, she regained her position in the fashion world with the support of great personalities like Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly, Maria Callas, Audrey Hepburn, and Jackie Kennedy.

Outlines

00:00

👗 The Life and Rise of Coco Chanel

This paragraph outlines the early life and career of Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel, a pivotal figure in fashion history. Born in 1883 to a humble family, Chanel faced hardship early on, including her mother's death and her father's decision to place her in an orphanage. Despite these challenges, she learned valuable skills such as sewing and embroidery. As an adult, Chanel's ambition led her to work in fashion and perform in cafés-concerts. Her relationships with influential men, particularly Etienne Balsan and Arthur Edward Capel, played a significant role in her ascent in society and the establishment of her first fashion stores. Chanel's innovative designs, which favored simplicity and comfort over opulence, quickly gained popularity, leading to the expansion of her business and the launch of her iconic perfume, Chanel No. 5.

05:05

🏛 Controversy and Comeback of a Fashion Icon

The second paragraph delves into the later life of Coco Chanel, including the controversy surrounding her alleged collaboration with the Nazis during the occupation of Paris. Despite accusations, Chanel and her fashion house denied any involvement. Post-war, she faced interrogation but was eventually cleared. Chanel retreated from the fashion scene for a decade, living in Switzerland, before making a triumphant return in 1954. Her comeback was marked by endorsements from high-profile personalities and the introduction of new products, such as 'Pour Monsieur' and a line of jewelry. However, her later years were marked by isolation and declining health, culminating in her death in 1971. The paragraph concludes by acknowledging Chanel's lasting impact on fashion, emphasizing her philosophy of combining elegance with comfort and pragmatism.

Keywords

💡Coco Chanel

Coco Chanel, born Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, is the central figure of the video script. She is defined as a woman of great importance in the history of fashion and the 20th century. The script details her humble beginnings, rise to fame, and the impact of her designs on the fashion industry. Her name is synonymous with elegance and innovation in fashion, as she introduced simple yet elegant clothing that gave women more freedom in how they dressed.

💡Fashion

Fashion is the theme that permeates the entire script. It refers to the popular style of dress and other aesthetic aspects of personal appearance. In the context of the video, fashion is not just about clothing but also about Coco Chanel's influence on the industry and the cultural significance of her designs, which broke with the opulence of the time and introduced a new standard of elegance and comfort.

💡Innovation

Innovation is a key concept in the script, highlighting Coco Chanel's approach to fashion. She innovated by creating simple and comfortable clothes that maintained elegance, which was a departure from the extravagant styles of her time. Her innovation extended to her first perfume, Chanel No. 5, and her venture into costume jewelry, which were both met with great success.

💡Elegance

Elegance is a recurring theme in the script, describing the aesthetic quality of Coco Chanel's designs. It is defined by a sense of refined beauty and grace, which Chanel managed to combine with comfort and pragmatism. The script illustrates this through the popularity of her designs and the admiration of high-profile figures like Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn.

💡Chanel No. 5

Chanel No. 5 is a specific example of Coco Chanel's innovation in the perfume industry. Named after her first perfume, it was based on jasmine and had a bottle design inspired by the dresser bottles of Arthur Capel. The perfume's success is a testament to Chanel's influence beyond fashion, and it became a symbol of her brand's luxury and style.

💡High Society

High society refers to the upper class or elite social group, which is mentioned several times in the script. Coco Chanel's relationships, particularly with Etienne Balsan and the Duke of Westminster, placed her in the midst of high society, providing her with opportunities and exposure that contributed to her success and the recognition of her brand.

💡World War II

World War II is a historical context mentioned in the script that had a significant impact on Coco Chanel's life and business. The script notes that she closed all her stores except for the main boutique during the war, indicating the challenges and changes the global conflict brought to the fashion industry and her personal life.

💡Collaboration Accusations

The script touches on the controversial period of Coco Chanel's life during the Nazi occupation of Paris, where she lived in the Ritz Hotel with German officers. This led to accusations of collaboration, which is a significant and sensitive aspect of her biography. Both Chanel and her house denied any implication, and she was eventually set free after being interrogated by a research committee.

💡Comeback

The term 'comeback' is used in the script to describe Coco Chanel's return to the fashion industry after a period of absence following World War II. Her re-opening of the High Fashion House in 1954 marked a significant moment in her career, as she gradually regained her position at the top of the fashion world.

💡Isolation

Isolation is depicted in the script as a part of Coco Chanel's later years, where she became increasingly reclusive and weaker due to age. This personal aspect of her life contrasts with her earlier years of social engagement and highlights the human side of the iconic figure.

💡Legacy

Legacy is the final concept mentioned in the script, referring to the enduring impact of Coco Chanel on the fashion world. Her contribution to fashion and the looks of several generations is emphasized, suggesting that her style and influence will continue to be celebrated and seen in the fashion industry for a long time.

Highlights

Coco Chanel was a highly influential figure in fashion and 20th century history.

Born in 1883 in Saumur, France to a street vendor father and peasant mother.

Had a challenging childhood, with her mother dying when she was 11 and her father giving her to an orphanage.

Learned sewing, embroidery and ironing skills at the orphanage.

Moved to Moulins for a job with a local dressmaker and started performing in music shows.

Initially aspired to be a singer but returned to dressmaking after realizing she lacked a good singing voice.

Met socialite Etienne Balsan at age 23, moved with him to the Royallieu Castle.

Met life partner Arthur Edward Capel in 1908, who believed in her talent and helped fund her first stores.

Opened her first hat store in Paris in 1909, followed by a second store in Deauville in 1913.

Coco Chanel's designs were known for their simplicity, comfort and elegance, breaking from the opulence of the time.

Opened a store in Biarritz in 1915, repaid the money Arthur invested in her.

Launched her first fashion collection in 1916, established a fashion house with over 300 employees.

Expanded to the US market, selling her designs in major stores.

Suffered the loss of Arthur Capel in 1919, a significant setback.

Created the iconic Chanel No. 5 perfume in 1921, with a distinctive bottle design.

Faced a legal battle over the distribution rights of her perfumes due to an unfavorable contract.

Had a 10-year relationship with the Duke of Westminster, Hugh Richard Arthur Grosvenor.

Traveled to Hollywood in 1931 to design for stars like Gloria Swanson and Marlene Dietrich, but her designs were not well received.

By 1935, faced competition from other designers like Elsa Schiaparelli.

Closed all but her main boutique during WWII, citing it was not a time for fashion.

Accused of collaborating with the Nazis during the occupation of Paris, but always denied the allegations.

After the war, was interrogated but released, then lived in Switzerland for 10 years away from fashion.

Made a comeback in 1954, gradually regaining her status in the fashion world.

名人如Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly等成为她风格的代表。

推出了男士香水“Pour Monsieur”和自己的珠宝及服饰珠宝系列。

晚年开始隐居，身体日渐衰弱，1971年1月10日在巴黎丽兹酒店因心脏病发作去世，享年88岁。

Coco Chanel对时尚界及几代人的着装风格做出了巨大贡献，证明了优雅可以与舒适或实用相结合，为女性在服装和着装方面提供了更多自由。

Transcripts

Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, better known as Coco Chanel, was a woman of a great importance

not only in the history of fashion, but in the history of the 20th century.

She was born on the 29th of August 1883 in Saumúr, a little village in the northeast

of France.

Daughter of Albert Chanel, a street vendor, and Eugenie Jeanne Devolle, a peasant.

She had an older sister, Julia Berthe, and four younger siblings: Alphonse, Antoinette,

Lucien and Augustin, who died soon after being born.

Her first years of life were rough.

They lived under very precarious conditions, and when she was only 11 years old, her mom

died of bronchitis.

Her dad decided to give his kids in adoption.

The boys went with a host family of peasants and the girls to the orphanage of the Congregation

of the Sacred Heart of Mary, in the Monastery of Aubazine, in the CENTER of the country.

There, she learned how to sew, embroider and iron.

When she turned 18, she was sent to a religious boarding school in the town of Moulins.

She soon found a job helping a local dress maker, and during her free time she started

going to Cafés-Cabaréts, where she participated in small music shows.

She wanted to become a singer, and she moved to the touristic town Vichy to try some luck.

However, she would soon forget about that artistic project when she found out she didnt

really have a good voice, so she decided to go back to her old job.

But a new door opened for her when she was 23 and met a socialite and rich heir called

Etienne Balsan.

They fell in love and moved together to the Royallieu Castle , in the north of Paris,

where Coco had the opportunity to be around people from the high classes in society

The relationship came to an end, but in 1908, Coco met one of her life partners, the English

captain Arthur Edward Capel.

Even tho they never made their relationship official, they were very close to each other.

Arthur believed so much in Coco’s talent that he helped her fund her first stores in

Paris.

She started making hats for fun, which she later on showed in social events such as horse

racing.

Her creations called so much attention that in 1909 she opened a store in the city.

In 1913, she opened a second one in Deauville, in the Coast of Normandy, where she also sold

casual luxury clothes.

Coco Chanel’s designs stood out for breaking with the opulence of the times, creating a

line of simple and comfortable clothes, tho keeping their elegance.

When in 1915 she opened a new store in the luxurious coastal city of Biarritz, next to

the Spanish border, she earned enough money to give back the money her couple had invested

on her.

In 1916, she presented her first collection, published in the Vogue magazine, and soon

after, she established her fashion house, with more than 300 employees – she started

selling her clothes in the big stores in the US.

But in 1919, she suffered a hard setback when Arthur Cape, with whom she had been together

for about 10 years, died in a car accident.

In 191, Coco created her first perfume, Chanel Number 5.

Based in jasmine, the bottle was also designed by Coco herself, finding inspiration in the

dresser bottles Arthur used.

It was a total success, and she soon signed its distribution with Pierre Wertheimer, director

of the Bourjois Perfume and Cosmetics House.

However, the conditions of the contract were quite abusive, and Coco had to fight for years

to have the control of the commercialization of her fragrances back.

Thanks to her contacts, she accessed the high classes of the British society, where she

met the duke of Westminster, Hugh Richard Arthur Grosvenor.

She was in a relationship with him for 10 years.

When, years later, she was asked why she never married him, she would answer: “THERE HAVE

BEEN LOTS OF DUCHESSES OF WESTMINSTER.

BUT THERE IS ONLY ONE CHANEL”.

In 1931, she took a new LEAP in her career when she traveled to Hollywood and signed

a contract with the METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER to dress the great stars of the times, like Gloria

Swanson, Greta Garbo or Marlene Dietrich.

However, her designs didn’t really convince the cinematic mecca – they were looking

for something more sumptuous, and Coco herself left, disgusted by their bad taste.

By 1935, her company had 4 thousand employees, but she started losing her first place in

the fashion world with the emergence of other designers such as Elsa Schiaparelli, who presented

clothes full of festive and surreal details.

In 1939, when the second world war started, she closed all her stores except for the main

boutique – according to her, “THEY WERENT TIMES FOR FASHION”.

And here comes a controversial time in her life.

During the Nazi occupation in Paris, she lived in the Ritz Hotel, with the German high officers.

This, along with her influences with politicians, soliders and the high scoety led to accusations

of her collaborating with the Nazis.

However, both Coco and the CHANEL HOUSE always denied any type of implication.

After the war, she was interrogated by a RESEARCH COMMITTEE and set free.

The following ten years she lived in Lausáanne, Switzerland, away from the fashiond world,

until she decided it was time to come back, and in 1954, she re-opened her High Fahion

House.

Little by little, Coco Chanel was able to come back to the OLYMPUS OF FASHION.

Great PERSONALITIES such as Elizabeth Tylor, Grace Kelly, Maria Callas, Audrey Hepburn

or the first US DUCHESS Jackie Kennedy became AMBASSADORS of her style.

She created new parfumes such as “Pour Monsieur”, Chanel’s first Men Fragrance, and she also

TOOK THE LEAP to working with precious metals, designing her own line of jewels and costume

jewelery.

However, towards her last years, she started to isolate herself and become weaker and weaker

– the age – and she turned into a lonely person only accessible TO her closest friends.

In the beginning of 1971 she was working in her Spring Collection, when she suffered a

heart attack.

She died on January 10th in the Ritz Hotel in Paris, where she had been living for 30

years.

Coco Chanel’s great contribution to the FASHION WORLD and the looks of several generations

is evident.

She proved elegance can go hand TO HAND with comfort or PRAGMATISM, providing women with

lots of freedom when it came to clothes and DRESSING.

We are sure her style will be out there in the shop windows for a long long time.