Hard childhood
There is very little information about Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel's early years. It is known that the girl was born on August 19, 1883 in the French province of Saumur. Her father, Albert Chanel, was a street vendor, her mother, Eugenia Zhanna Devol, worked as a laundress at the Sisters of Mercy charity hospital. The parents got married some time after the birth of their daughter.
When Gabrielle turned 12, her mother died of bronchitis. The father, who was never interested in the girl, sent her to a monastery in Obazine, where she lived until she came of age.
The legendary Mademoiselle Chanel tried to hide the story of her childhood for a long time. She did not want reporters to find out the truth about her illegitimate origin and the betrayal of her own father.
Coco even came up with a legend about a happy, carefree childhood in a “clean, bright house” with two aunts, where her father left her before leaving for America.
Career and love
“If you were born without wings, then at least don’t stop them from growing.”
The six years spent within the monastery walls will still be reflected in world fashion. In the meantime, very young Gabrielle goes to the city of Moulins, where she gets a job as a seamstress in an atelier. Sometimes a girl sings on the stage of a cabaret, which is a popular resting place for cavalry officers. It is here, after singing the song “Qui Qua Vu Coco”, that young Gabrielle receives her famous nickname “Coco” - and meets her first love.
The acquaintance with the wealthy officer Etienne Balsan occurs in 1905 during a performance. Having no experience in relationships with men, very young Gabrielle surrenders to her feelings, leaves her job and moves to live in the luxurious mansion of her lover. Thus begins her glamorous life.
Coco is interested in making hats, but does not find support from Etienne.
In the spring of 1908, Gabriel meets Captain Balsan's friend, Arthur Caple. From the first minutes, the heart of a young man is conquered by an obstinate and intelligent woman. He offers to open a hat shop in Paris and guarantees financial support.
A little later he will become her partner in business and personal life.
The end of 1910 put an end to the story with Etienne. Coco moves to the apartment of her ex-lover in the capital. This address is well known to many of the captain’s friends, and it is they who become Mademoiselle Chanel’s first customers.
Great plans in the biography of Coco Chanel
She dreamed of becoming a singer. Gabrielle's repertoire was not a masterpiece, and her voice was raspy and nasty. In general, she sang very disgustingly, but nevertheless she performed! She performed before a garrison of officers.
One of her songs was about a cockerel, “Where Did My Coco Go?” And the name Coco stuck to Gabrielle. It was then that one of the cavalrymen, Etienne Balzen, noticed her. He took Gabriel into custody. Gabrielle was a very amorous, but at the same time practical woman.
Coco Chanel, biography of sexual preferences
She had connections with both men and women. Not all of her lovers were generous, but she benefited from each affair for her career. Starting with a small store where she sold the hats she created, Gabrielle managed to build an entire fashion empire under the name Coco Chanel.
At that time, she was not considered a beauty. Her figure was not curvaceous, rather angular, and her breasts were small.
But she used even this disadvantage as an advantage!
Coco Chanel introduced the fashion for men's clothing for women.
Truly she was a brilliant woman! It would seem that, having no advantages at the start, no education, no fortune, no specific unique skills, no beautiful appearance, she managed to rise to the very top of the fashion Olympus!
What really is the secret of this great woman?
On the way to glory
"If you want something you've never had, you'll have to do something you've never done."
In Paris, Gabrielle begins an affair with Arthur Caple. Having secured his support, Coco opens the first hat shop on Rue Cambon, located opposite the building of the famous Ritz Hotel.
By the way, it remains there to this day.
In 1913, the popularity of the young fashion designer was gaining momentum. She opens a boutique in Deauville. Regular customers appear, but Gabriel sets himself a new goal - to develop a line of his own clothing. She has a lot of crazy ideas in her head, but without a dressmaker's license, she can't make "real" women's dresses. Illegal competition faces serious penalties.
The solution comes unexpectedly. Coco begins to sew clothes from knitted fabric, which is used in the production of men's underwear. Chanel does not try to create new details, she removes unnecessary ones.
Her way of working evokes numerous smiles: Coco never sketches on paper, but immediately gets to work - throwing fabric onto a mannequin, and using simple tools, transforms a shapeless piece of material into an elegant silhouette.
In 1914, the First World War begins. France is in chaos, but Coco continues to work hard. More and more new ideas are born in her head: low waist, trousers and shirts for women appear.
Chanel's fame is increasingly gaining momentum. A sonorous name becomes known in wide circles. Her style - simple and practical - appeals to women tired of corsets and long skirts. Each new model is perceived as a real discovery.
In 1919, in a car accident, Coco loses her closest and most beloved person, Arthur Caple. Chanel is left alone again.
LiveInternetLiveInternet
COCO CHANEL - THE SECRET OF SUCCESS
The biography of Coco Chanel can serve as an example of the fact that with perseverance and self-confidence you can achieve the seemingly unattainable. Childhood Coco Chanel was born in a shelter for the poor in the city of Saumur in 1883. Eugenia Jeanne Devol and Albert Chanel had her second daughter born out of wedlock. The future celebrity's real name was Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, which the girl received in honor of the nurse who delivered the girl's mother. An interesting fact is that Coco herself deliberately shortened her years by giving her date of birth 10 years later. The biography of Gabrielle's early life contains bitter pages. Orphaned at the age of twelve, the girl soon received a second “slap in the face from fate”: their father left them, five children. And soon the relatives get rid of them by handing over the children to an orphanage. The years of life spent within the walls of the monastery orphanage can hardly be called happy... But it was they who taught the girl perseverance, patience, and hard work. There Gabriela decided that if fate did not want to give her at least a drop of happiness, she would ensure that she received it in full, to the brim. Youth The biography of Chanel in her youth was much more interesting, filled with quests. Immediately after leaving the walls of the monastery orphanage, the girl went to work in a small shop as an assistant to a lingerie seller, but in her free time she worked on the cabaret stage as a dancer and singer. Chanel failed to become a celebrity in these arts, but the name Coco stuck with her forever. And it is from her performances in the cabaret that her personal, intimate life begins. Etienne Balzan, an officer and not a poor man, falls in love with a 22-year-old young singer and invites her to live with her. Coco Chanel has a new chapter in her biography, the title of which is “Life as a Mistress.” She agrees and moves into his luxurious Parisian mansion. Needless to say, life in comfort and prosperity initially delighted her. But Coco Chanel, not used to inaction, began to get bored. And she decides to become a milliner. And the role of a kept woman no longer seems so attractive to Gabriela. Youth Balzan did not take Coco’s desire seriously, since there were plenty of milliners in Paris even without Chanel. But the girl was already burning with this desire. And having met a man who understands Chanel and promises to help her open her store, Coco leaves her former partner and goes to live with Arthur Capel, an English industrialist who in 1910 helps her open a hat shop. The biography of Chanel the entrepreneur begins with this store. Interestingly, this store is still in operation today. Chanel's youth brought her fame. Clutches - small rectangular bags on a chain - owe their birth to Coco's forgetfulness. An excerpt from her quote reads: “I keep losing purses and handbags! Besides, they are very uncomfortable to hold in your hands all the time!” The history of the famous perfume “Chanel No. 5” has only an indirect relation to Chanel herself. After all, they were created by the Russian emigrant perfumer Ernest Beaux in 1921. Having fallen under the spell of the already mature, but so attractive Coco, he invited her to choose the perfume she liked among 24 samples. The woman chose the fifth scent, which got its famous name. Coco herself treated perfume with almost reverence. An excerpt from a quote from a female fashion designer says that the scent trail trailing behind a lady will accompany the image she created, sometimes playing a primary role in this matter. Little black dress The history of the unique dress model, according to researchers of the biography of Gabriela-Coco Chanel, is connected with the love story of this amazing woman. Throughout her life, men fell in love with this most interesting woman, but Chanel never managed to tie the knot. Coco was very worried about the death of Arthur Capel. Quotes from her speeches reveal the depth of a woman’s feelings. “He is the greatest success of my life! He discovered something unique in me and taught me how to develop it at the expense of the rest,” she said about Arthur. But society considered it shameful to mourn for a person whose marriage was not registered. And Coco came up with an interesting dress model - that same little black dress that is still fashionable today. It can be worn during the day, in the evening, and on holidays. But the most important thing in this outfit was to change accessories depending on the purpose of the garment.
Thus, in the biography of Coco Chanel, personal life and business, love and creativity were intertwined. Another love affair The story of her next love is connected with the war, when the woman stopped doing her business. But in 1940, her nephew Andre Palace was captured. And Coco Chanel, in whose personal life there was a lull during this period, goes to her friend Hans Gunther von Dinklage, who is an attaché at the German embassy. The result of this trip was Andre's release and a love affair with Baron Dinklage. The end of the war brought troubles to Coco: they remembered her contacts with the Germans, declared her an accomplice of the Nazis and arrested her. However, on Churchill’s advice, the woman was soon released with an offer to leave France. She moved to Switzerland, where she lived until 1953. Interesting and eventful in the success story of Coco Chanel were the years of life in adulthood. At the age of 71, Gabriel decides to return to the world of fashion and releases his new collection. However, it turns out that the world has already forgotten the talented fashion designer. And only three seasons later, fans again placed Chanel Gabriela-Coco on the “pedestal of worship.” Now the designer presents in his collections not only clothes, hats and handbags, but also jewelry, as well as luxury shoes. And again Chanel, as in her youth, is a stunning success! The last years of her life In the fifties and sixties, Chanel dressed Hollywood stars of the highest level. She dresses Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn. The success story of a female fashion designer is once again reaching its apogee. And now there is even a Broadway musical called “Coco”, where the role of Gabrielle was played by Katharine Hepburn. Through the lips of the actress, quotes belonging to Gabrielle are pronounced from the stage. For example, quotes such as “I don’t like long men’s jackets - I can’t watch how a man treats me during a conversation...” are pearls of ironic content. Gabrielle Chanel died of a heart attack on January 10, 1971, at the age of 88, in a suite at the Ritz Hotel in Paris, across the street from the luxuriously decorated, world-famous House of Chanel. The income of her empire was $160 million a year, and in her wardrobe only three outfits were found, but “very stylish outfits,” as the Great Queen of Fashion would say
COCO CHANEL'S PARIS APARTMENT The magic of Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel does not disappear over the years, just as the aroma of expensive French perfume, which is carefully kept in a bottle, does not fade away. Her Parisian apartment can also be called a kind of “bottle” of the lifestyle of the great woman of the 20th century, preserving a unique “aroma” woven from meetings, conversations, thoughts, ideas and everything that took place within these walls, located at 31 Rue Cambon.
PHOTOS OF DIFFERENT YEARS:
COCO CHANEL AT 23 YEARS OLD (1910)
Coco Chanel and Salvador Dali.
DECORATIONS
SEVEN SECRETS OF COCO CHANEL: 1. Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel began life anew every morning, getting rid of everything unnecessary and painful. Her childhood and youth are shrouded in fog; she herself invented the legend, confusing biographers. 2. Chanel treated obstacles in her path as signs of a new direction. 3. She did not allow random strangers into her life. Chanel was very sensitive to recognizing people she didn’t like and was in a hurry to leave them. 4. Her main teacher was love, and her lovers were universities. She absorbed the knowledge and skills of her men. 5. Coco was able to make paradox the driving force of her talent. After all, she brought black color into fashion, which before her was considered a mournful and poor shade. For five years, she specially produced only black dresses, which sold with amazing speed. 6. She was absolutely independent. She realized that money gives tremendous freedom when it serves you, and not you serve it. She allowed her friends to live at her expense and covered their debts; it was her principle to pay for others in order to forget that they used to pay for her. With the help of money, she was able to overcome her shyness and gain confidence. 7. She proclaimed a woman’s external beauty to be an essential part of success, and the older the lady, the more important her beauty was. She believed that “at 20, nature gives you a face, at 30, life sculpts it, and at 50, you have to earn it,” because some women at 50 look more attractive than young ladies.
xxx
10 RULES from Coco Chanel. Rule #1 - Pants make a woman free. Coco Chanel was the first to design and begin to wear trousers herself - at a time when other ladies around were fiddling with corsets and long skirts. Rule #2 - The ideal skirt should cover the knees. Rule No. 3 - There should be a lot of accessories - the more, the better. Coco Chanel simply adored them, and in quantities incredible by today's standards. Rule No. 4 - The ideal suit combines masculine and feminine. Rule #5 - Stylish shoes can be two-tone. Chanel created the famous shoe model - white patent leather sandals with a black toe. She believed that such shoes make a woman sexier and visually reduce the size of her feet. Rule #6 - The bag should have a strap to keep your hands free. Rule #7 - Worship little black dresses. Rule #8 - Jackets should be soft, like jackets. Rule #9 - Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury. Rule No. 10 - Perfume is the same as clothing. “A woman who does not wear perfume has no future,” this famous phrase from Chanel is still relevant today.
20 golden quotes from Coco Chanel:
1. For women, the G-spot is at the end of the word SHOPPING. 2. The worse things are for a girl, the better she should look. 3. Whatever one may say, there is only one woman in a man’s life. All the others are her shadows... 4. I don’t like long jackets - when talking to a man, I don’t see how he treats me. 5. Every girl should always know two things: what and who she wants. 6. Don't marry men with change wallets. 7. I don't care what you think about me. I do not think about you at all. 8. If you want to have something you've never had, you'll have to do something you've never done. 9. There are no ugly women, only lazy ones. 10. A woman worries about the future until she gets married. A man doesn't worry about the future until he gets married. 11. When taking care of beauty, you must start with the heart and soul, otherwise no amount of cosmetics will help. 12. A woman who does not use cosmetics has too high an opinion of herself. 13. To restrain yourself when it’s offensive and not to make a scene when it’s painful - that’s what an ideal woman is. 14. No one is young after forty, but we can be irresistible at any age. 15. Everything is in our hands, so we cannot let them go. 16. Old age does not protect from love, but love protects from old age 17. I caused ridicule from others with my manner of dressing, but this was the secret of my success. I didn't look like everyone else. 18. True happiness is inexpensive: if you have to pay a high price for it, then it is fake. 19. If you were born without wings, don’t stop them from growing. 20. Hands are a girl’s calling card; The neck is her passport; Chest - international passport.
BOOKS ABOUT COCO CHANEL:
"Coco Chanel. A life told by herself."
A book about a complex and multifaceted character, a book about true style, a book about love - and not only for men, but for yourself and your business first and foremost. Although men here, believe me, play an important role. And Mademoiselle had a lot of them, as if for one life. Why do some people envy the rich, famous and recognized?.. Once again I am convinced that these “bonuses” are not given just like that, from the sky, they are the result of hard work and struggle, struggle with the outside world, and often even with oneself . From the words of the legendary couturier, we can make a clear conclusion that we always sacrifice something in life. She sacrificed her family and personal happiness in exchange for the opportunity to do what she loved. Nothing in life was given to me for nothing, I had to pay for everything. I paid fate for my success and the right to do my favorite job with loneliness.
MARCEL EDRICH - “THE MYSTERIOUS COCO CHANEL” Year of publication: 2012 All formats: pdf, fb2, rtf, epub, txt Illustrations: yes
Description: In the book of a friend and long-time chronicler of the life of Coco Chanel, writer Marcel Edrich, a living image of the Great Mademoiselle is captured. The author did not set himself the task of writing a detailed biography. It was important for him to convey to the reader her character, voice, intonation, and manner of speaking. Before us are actually monologues of Coco Chanel, in which she talks about what she herself would like to read in a book about herself, leaving the reader the right to decide for himself what is true in her words and what is fiction. The lively monologues of Chanel herself, coupled with her interlocutor - the author’s own reflections - introduce the reader to the intimate world of the creator of the most successful fashion house in the world. Coco Chanel herself said that of all her biographers she trusts only “who walked with her through life” Marcel Edrich. He knew her better than anyone. And this is the value of the book. This book is for aesthetes, future and current fashion designers, fashion historians, for those who are interested in the biographies of great personalities, for all fans of the tradition of timeless elegance that defies the influence of time - the style of Coco Chanel.
FILM
“Coco before Chanel” / Coco avant Chanel (2009). Genre: biography, drama, historical. Once upon a time, Gabriella Chanel only dreamed of fame and popularity, not assuming that all her plans would come true. How thorny her path to fame turned out to be is precisely shown in this film. Two love stories that played an important role in her life also became significant for Coco Chanel's career. It was by loving and in spite of everyone and everything that the main character walked towards her success purposefully and unshakably, and difficulties only strengthened her strength and spirit. It's hard to believe, but she created the legendary little black dress after the tragedy that happened in her life. Coco Chanel is the name of a woman who never changed her views and clearly walked towards her intended goal. #cinema vk.com/kinospoiler "
Chanel No. 5
“Perfume is an invisible, but unforgettable, unrivaled fashion accessory. It notifies you of a woman’s arrival and continues to remind you of her when she’s gone.”
In 1920, Gabriel opened a fashion house in Biarritz.
A little later, Coco meets with a Russian emigrant, the young and very handsome Prince Dmitry Pavlovich Romanov. Their turbulent relationship will not last long, but will prove to be very fruitful. Soon the fashion designer will present to the world a whole series of costumes in the Russian style.
During a car tour of France, the Russian prince introduces Coco to his perfumer acquaintance Ernest Beaux. This meeting turns out to be a real success for both. A year of experimentation and hard work brings a new flavor to the world.
Ernest prepared 10 samples and invited Coco. She chose sample number 5, explaining that this number brings her good luck. It was the first synthetic perfume created from 80 components.
To design a new fragrance, choose a crystal bottle with a simple rectangular label. Previously, manufacturers used bottles of more complex shapes, but this time they decided to focus not on the container, but on the content. As a result, the world received “a perfume for women that smelled like a woman.”
Chanel No. 5 remains the most popular fragrance to this day!
When work on the perfume is completed, Coco is in no hurry to release it for sale. At first, she will give one bottle to her friends and acquaintances. The fame of the wonderful aroma spreads at the speed of light. Therefore, when perfumes appear on the counter, they are already quite popular. The most beautiful women in the world choose this fragrance.
At the beginning of 1950, the famous Marilyn Monroe told reporters that at night she left nothing on her body except a few drops of Chanel No. 5. Naturally, such a statement increased sales significantly.
Maybe,
Fantasy jewelry
“People with good taste wear jewelry. Everyone else has to wear gold."
Thanks to Coco Chanel, women from different circles were able to dress beautifully and elegantly. But one problem remains - precious jewelry is available only to ladies from high circles. In 1921, Gabriel began to become interested in jewelry design. Her simple but colorful accessories are gaining incredible popularity. Coco often wears jewelry herself. As always, showing by example that you can create the perfect look even with artificial stones. She calls these pieces “fancy jewelry.”
In the same year, the designer presented Chanel jewelry in the Art Deco style to the general public. Bright jewelry is becoming a real trend.
All fashionistas are closely watching Mademoiselle Coco, afraid of missing out on the next new product. When Gabrielle attached a small brooch to her waistcoat in 1929, the most stylish French women followed suit.
Two-tone shoes
Shoes from the spring-summer 2020 collection
Chanel
The fashion world should be grateful to Mademoiselle Chanel for two-tone shoes. This coloring visually lengthens the legs and makes the foot look more miniature, even despite the low heel (in the model she created, the heel was square and only 5 cm high). The combination of white and black, beige and black has become classic, and easily fits into any look today - both with a skirt and trousers. Coco herself said: “These are irreplaceable shoes for all occasions. With just four pairs, you can travel the world.”
Little black dress
“A well-cut dress suits any woman. Dot!"
In the early 20s, the struggle for gender inequality in the world was almost over. Women received the legal right to work and vote in elections. At the same time, they began to lose their face.
There have been changes in fashion that have affected women's sexuality. Coco takes advantage of this moment and begins to combine unusual details with a modern mood. In 1926, the “little black dress” came into the world.
It is distinguished by its lack of frills. No fringe, buttons, or frills, just a semi-circular neckline and long narrow sleeves. Every woman can afford to have such a dress in her wardrobe. This versatile outfit is suitable for any event - you just need to complement it with small accessories.
The black dress brings 44-year-old Coco even more popularity. Critics recognize it as an example of elegance, luxury and style. They begin to copy it, change it .
New interpretations of this outfit are still popular today.
Small bag on a long chain
“I’m tired of carrying reticules in my hands, and besides, I always lose them,” Coco Chanel said in 1954. “The bag should have a strap to keep your hands free.” And following this statement, in February 1955, a quilted bag with a long chain saw the light of day. The "2.55" model got its name from the date of its release. Since then, the popularity of this bag model has only grown, despite its inaccessibility and high price. Nevertheless, all the fashionistas of the world, even more than half a century after its release, want to own it.
Relationship with Hugh Grosvenor
“There is a time to work, and there is a time to love. There is no other time."
The Duke of Westminster came into Coco's life in 1924. This novel brought Chanel into the world of the British aristocracy. The Duke's friends included many politicians and celebrities.
At one of the receptions, Chanel meets Winston Churchill, who holds the post of Minister of Finance. The man does not hide his delight, calling Coco “the smartest and strongest woman.”
Several years of romance do not end with family ties. The Duke dreams of an heir, but Coco was already 46 years old at this point. Breaking up becomes the right decision for both.
Gabriel returns to work with new ideas. All projects are accompanied by success. This time is called the zenith of Chanel's fame.
Ten-year pause in career
"I do not care what you think of me. I do not think about you at all".
The Second World War. Coco closes stores and leaves for Paris.
In September 1944, she was arrested by the Committee on Public Morals. The reason for this is Gabrielle's love affair with Baron Hans Gunther von Dinklage.
At Churchill's request, she is released, but on one condition - she must leave France.
Chanel has no choice but to pack her bags and head to Switzerland. There she spends about ten years.
Short haircuts
Legion-Media
As legend has it, Chanel “tried on” a short haircut for herself by chance. While getting ready for the opera, she burned her hair with curling irons. The hairdresser's verdict was disappointing: it needs to be cut. But even here the great Coco was not at a loss. Late for the opera, she finally arrived - with a short haircut, and amazed the entire high society. But they didn’t look at her askance for long; soon many French women ran to salons to have their hair cut. With the advent of a new haircut, a new type of hat appeared - in the form of a bell. Its front part reached the eyebrows, and Coco herself pulled it over her eyes.
