Gabrielle Chanel was a rebel at heart. She dressed like no other woman. No wonder she is a well-known figure till this day, and truly an influential one. From what I have read, I can tell you Gabrielle Chanel is very different, she believes in being authentic, sincere and natural. "Desire to look like nobody else" she said! All she does and designs have some kind of a cause and a reference or a story behind it
A Bit of History
The French Couturier was an orphan who was raised by the nuns. Her surroundings influenced her designs later in life. She learned how to sew and used to sing at night. The name "Coco" was inspired from a song she used to sing. She began her career by designing simple and chic hats unlike what was worn at that days. She then designed custom jewelry, bags, ready-to-wear pieces and beauty. The World Wars I and II made her close her boutique, but she always came back stronger than ever.
The Legend of No.5
The house of Chanel recently celebrated 100 years of No.5. It was called so simply because it was the fifth sample given to her by perfumer Ernest Beaux , as she requested " A woman's fragrance with a woman's scent". Also number 5 was Chanel's luck number.
The design of its bottle has been an important part of the product's allure. The bottle cap is inspired by the geometry of the Place Vendome in Paris.
At the liberation of Paris, American soldiers would purchase this perfume from Rue Cambon as a souvenir for their wives and fiancées waiting back at home.
Not until 2012, that they discovered an unpublished interview for Marlin Monroe where she was asked what she wears to bed, and she answered " A few Drops of Chanel No.5"
The Colors
Black, white, gold, beige and red are the main colors of Chanel. But like everything else, nothing goes without a reason or a cause. Black is the color of elegance, it reveals women's radiance and creates depth. "Black trumps all" as she said.
White captures light. It reminds Chanel of the cornets of the nuns from her childhood. And of a dress given to her by her father before he left.
Beige is warm, simple and natural. It's the color of the outdoors and the color of a healthy skin.
Gold refers to the byzantine empire and the baroque art she used to be surrounded by back in her days at the orphanage.
Red is the color of life. She used it in the lining of her bags and as the color of her lipstick.
Why The Camellia?
At age of 13, young Coco Chanel was deeply moved by the performance of Sarah Bernhardt "The Lady of the Camellia"
Dandy men would wear camellia pinned to their jackets as a sign of refinement, unity and ambiguity. Chanel took the camellia from the men's jacket and put it on the belt and pinned it to her chiffon dresses.
One day a lady asked her what she was having for breakfast and Chanel answered "a camellia".
Behind the Inspiration
She was always inspired by masculine clothes. She took their jacket, their military bag and their jersey tops and re-interpreted them into women's clothing. Her childhood surroundings influenced her design. From the opulence of religious garments and ceremonial objects, to the baroque and byzantine art.
The geometry of her perfume bottles and their caps are inspired by the shape of the Place Vendome in Paris.
"To Choose , To Desire and To Be.." _CC
