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.