Coco Chanel is an outstanding female fashion designer, founder of a fashion house, who proved that elegance is impossible without convenience. Her designer imagination includes a little black dress, a women's trouser suit, a handbag on a chain and other signature items that create a sophisticated style.
Chanel No. 5 perfumes are top sellers, and the Time publishing house includes the name of the Great Mademoiselle in the hundred most influential people fashion industry. What life story is hidden behind the brand, whose logo - two crossed letters "C" - is known throughout the world? The biography of Coco Chanel will tell you about this.
Childhood and youth in the monastery
Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel was born on August 19, 1883 in the French town of Saumur. The girl was born under the zodiac sign “Leo”; subsequently she will decorate her interior with figures of the king of beasts and use the “lion” motif in the fittings.
Leos are characterized by a desire for success, but was it easy to achieve?
Gabrielle's childhood was difficult; she can be classified as a self-made person despite the circumstances.
Gabrielle remembered her mother Jeanne poorly, or, as she admitted in her memoirs, she did not want to remember. 19-year-old Jeanne fell in love with Albert, Gabrielle's father, and became pregnant. The guy ran away, the fugitive was found months later: Albert worked as a fair trader and did not sit in one place for a long time. Zhanna came to her grief-lover and gave birth the next day.
When she became pregnant again three months later, her partner advised her to “go to work.” A young woman with a baby in her arms wandered from house to house, offering help with housework.
The birth of the second child, Gabriel, did not lead to the parents’ wedding; 5,000 francs, Jeanne’s dowry, helped to legitimize the relationship. Gabrielle appears younger sister and brothers, but the mother, due to blind passion for her husband, pays little attention to the children.
Gabrielle has more pleasant memories with her father; his appearance in the family was awaited like a holiday. Gabrielle claimed that her father was handsome and inherited his appearance: a white-toothed smile, eyes with a cheerful sparkle and thick hair.
After the death of his wife at the age of 33, Albert gives his sons Alphonse and Lucien to work as farm laborers, and entrusts his daughters to the care of the sisters of the Aubazine monastery. Gabriela was 13 years old and never saw her father again.
My loneliness has made me a strong personCoco Chanel
HOUSE OF GOOD
In Aubazine, Gabrielle lived a sad life, numerous prohibitions weighed heavily on the young rebel: she had to wake up, fall asleep and start eating at the command of the nurse on duty. The years in the orphanage left a deep imprint on her worldview.
Many years later, Chanel will order her architect to repeat in her house the stone staircase from the monastery, along which she was forbidden to run as a child: at least in her villa she will walk as she wishes!
Gabrielle had the status of an “orphan” large quantities relatives: her paternal grandparents gave birth to 19 children! This is a documented fact: only the grandfather and aunt Louise took the girl to stay with them during the holidays.
Gabriela calls Aunt Andrienne, her father's younger sister, "sister" because of the small age difference. She was also in Aubazine, and common romantic dreams of a rich groom and freedom unite the girls. When they decide to marry Andrienne to an old notary, Gabriela persuades her to flee the monastery.
The money doesn’t last long and the unlucky runaways return. They are quickly assigned to another “high security” institution - the boarding house of the Institute of Our Lady of the city of Moulins. Gabriel stays there for two years, from 18 to 20 years old. Recalling these years, Chanel will say in an interview that she “did her time,” and when asked by a surprised journalist “for what,” she will clarify – “for dissent.”
The boarding school graduates had to be ready for independent life, so they were taught sewing. These skills will be useful to the future clothing designer.
Youth and Etienne Balsan
After boarding, Gabriel and Andrienne work for the Grampers in a store that sells dowries for brides. The girl also does minor repairs to the dresses of society ladies: she sews on frills and sharpens lace.
Is it then that Gabrielle develops a distaste for floral perfumes, which she will remember when creating her own scent? After all, wealthy ladies did not like to wash, and in order to get rid of the emanating amber, they generously doused themselves with floral perfumes.
Gabriel decides to crack the code of fate and change his field of activity.
If you want to have something you've never had, you'll have to do something you've never done. Coco Chanel
The girl wonders what fame can bring her? Moulins was a garrison town in which the 10th Cavalry Chasseur Regiment was quartered. In the Rotunda cafe, watching the singers, Gabrielle decides that she sings no worse than them, and tells the director of the establishment that she is ready to sign a contract!
The effect of surprise and self-confidence provide the girl with what she wants. After the church hymns, Gabriel easily copes with the operetta verses, and his cavalry acquaintances do not skimp on applause.
Her “rooster” couplets, with the chorus “ko-ko-ri-ko,” are very popular among the local military. Calling the girl for an encore, the audience chants “ko-ko”. This nickname will become her pseudonym.
Gabriela's success evokes caustic remarks from her rival colleagues; she is teased as “the starving woman from India” for her boyish figure.
Only nonentities have no envious people. It's better to be first than to be second. Coco Chanel
CITY LIGHTS
The popularity of the singer of the garrison Moulin is not enough for Gabriela. Her friend Etienne Balsan, the son of an industrialist and a passionate fan of horse racing, lends the girl money.
So in 1905 she sets out to conquer the city mineral waters Vichy. By pouring water for holidaymakers, Gabriel raises money for vocal lessons. But the classes do not help her get an engagement, and she returns to Moulins.
Is it really necessary to take up work again to earn money? sewing needles and threads? But life sets before her another, more Difficult choice.
From the resort town, in addition to disappointments, she brings back an unplanned pregnancy. The girl is terrified of repeating her mother’s path. Convinced that giving birth to a child in her situation is tantamount to death, Gabrielle chooses life: “If I had not done this, there would be no Coco Chanel.”
HORSES, PEOPLE, HATS MIXED
22-year-old Gabrielle begins new story– cohabitation with Etienne Balsan. The girl asks to go to his estate in Royeaux as a student, Balsan takes her with him and teaches her horse riding on the estate. But not only that: the girl becomes his convenient backup lover. Chanel herself does not consider herself a Balsan cocotte, because she does not take money or gifts.
One day, Balsana's kept woman Emilienne d'Alençon, who was visiting Royeaux, asks Coco to remake her hat - just as she remade it for herself. Soon, all of Balsan's friends are wearing hats modified by Coco. 
Chanel strives for independence from men, and the success of avant-garde hats prompts the young milliner with the idea of her own store. Coco receives Balsan's permission to take over his Parisian apartment and continues his design experiments there.
Chanel opened her first store in the capital in 1910 at 21 rue Cambon; within a year she moved to house no. 31 on the same street. There is still a Chanel store there, opposite the Ritz Hotel.
Arthur Capel and the resort business
In 1909, in Spain, Chanel meets an English soldier, Arthur Capel, whom everyone calls Boy. The green-eyed brunette captivates Gabrielle at first sight.
He not only financially supports her cause, but also helps Chanel to reveal herself as a person. Boy invites the girl to expand her business in the seaside resort of Deauville, where Chanel opens a boutique in 1913.
Coco watches with regret the “poor rich women”: because of the ridiculous outfits, resort girls are unable to ride horses in a man’s saddle, drive a car, play tennis and other active recreation.
The corseted “prisoners” slowly parade under sun umbrellas and are drenched in sweat. Fashion catalogs of that period dictate mandatory wardrobe elements: huge hats with veils, lush bustles, tight corsets, long trains.
According to Chanel, elegance without convenience is impossible! She begins not to dress, but to undress women. Her clothes prioritize comfort. More and more ladies are walking around Deauville in simple hats that you can take off and put on yourself - “in complete disgrace,” as authoritative fashion designer Paul Poiret calls the newfangled hats.
The First World War that came to France is reflected in the resort of Deauville; vacationers are leaving, boutique owners are boarding up their shutters. But Gabriel does not close the studio. But what kind of fashion can there be in wartime? Still the same – comfortable Chanel fashion.
The city is filled with visitors: aristocrats come from front-line estates, a military hospital appears. The designer's opinions about the simplicity and functionality of clothing appeal to the ladies helping in the infirmary: it is impossible to care for the wounded in corsets and hats! Things are looking up. Next city, falling to the stylish shoes of Mademoiselle Coco, becomes Biarritz.
In Biarritz, a luxury spa resort, Boy helps rent a villa for a new atelier. There are hundreds of dressmakers working for Chanel, and the total number of workers, including boutiques in Deauville and Paris, reaches 300!
Mademoiselle Chanel makes high demands on her employees, getting rid of lazy people and defectors. Chanel's products are of excellent quality and are not cheap. When Boy asks why it is SO expensive, Gabrielle, who had entrepreneurial foresight, answers - so that they take it seriously.
Chanel does not draw preliminary sketches of models; instead of patterns, she outlines the silhouette with pins and cuts off excess fabric directly on the model.
The first publication of her model appears in Harper's Bazaar magazine - a dress without a waist, with a scarf tied at the hips and a vest in the style of a man.
In Paris, Chanel becomes truly popular in just a week - so says the legend. One day, a lady who was dressed by fashion designer Poiret quarrels with him and decides to go over to Coco Chanel.
The lady's name is Baroness Diana de Rothschild. Having bought a dozen dresses, the new client recommends the couturier to her relatives, and they as soon as possible make Chanel famous. Money flows like a river.
Coco settles accounts with Boy: he returns every franc invested in the business. Arthur Capel is surprised: he thought he was giving Gabrielle a toy, but it turned out to be freedom.
I SEWED IT FROM WHAT WAS
Coco also shows her business acumen when textile raw materials run out in warehouses due to military operations. At the beginning of 1916 there was nothing to sew from!
Jersey presents Chanel with “surprises”: the dense knitted fabric does not wrinkle, does not emphasize the curves of the figure, and hinders movement.
Violator fashion rules eliminates folds, stops emphasizing the waist and shortens skirts so that you can see the calves of your legs!
Boy jokingly begs Coco not to expose the young ladies’ knees, because men will start grabbing them “even in restaurants.”
I WILL NOT GIVE UP WITHOUT FIGHT
Class prejudices flourished in those times. Chanel notices that Boy is ashamed of her. And this is when magazines devote laudatory articles to her, and famous clients crowd the boutiques!
As a sign of protest (Boy likes her luxurious long hair), Chanel cuts off her curls. Her appearance in the theater with a boyish hairstyle creates a sensation. The haircut a la garçon is gaining popularity, harmoniously complementing the practical “Chanel” look.
The worse a girl does, the better she should look Coco Chanel
Chanel finds out that she is expecting a child, but does not have time to tell Arthur about it. Ambitious Boy proposes to the lord's daughter and surprises Coco with information about the wedding.
Chanel later asked what would have changed if she had been the first to tell her news? But her mother’s example convinced her that a man should not be tied down as a child. Coco is not destined to become a mother this time either. The 9-year romance ends tragically; in December 1919, Arthur Capel dies in a car accident.
Meeting the creative elite and patronage of the arts
Coco is brought out of her depression by meeting Sert, a Catalan decorative artist, and his wife Misya. The friendship with this woman will last more than 20 years; Gabriel admits that without her she would have died “a complete idiot.”
The serts introduce Chanel to the highest circles of the creative elite, she has the chance to watch the birth of brilliant paintings and poems. Chanel meets artists Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dali, playwright Jean Cocteau, and poet Pierre Reverdy.
Misya introduces Coco to Serge Diaghilev, the organizer of the ballet “Russian Seasons”. Backstage at the ballet, Chanel watches the dancers give their best in every practice. Coco learned to work from the Russians - this is her own recognition of someone who herself deserves the title “workaholic”!
Chanel supports cultural projects and helps creative people. For the production of “The Rite of Spring”, she gives Diaghilev 300,000 francs, invites composer Igor Stravinsky and his family to live in her villa, arranging “full board” for his wife and four children. Patronage inspires Chanel: in the recent past, a poor orphan, now she makes a contribution to art!
The designer extends the influence of Russian culture to his professional activities: he opens a recruitment in the atelier for Russian emigrants who knew handicrafts, opens a workshop for hand embroidery, and introduces Slavic motifs into models.
She cannot do without an affair with a Russian: Prince Dmitry Pavlovich becomes her new dear friend. Nicholas II's cousin is 8 years younger than her, handsome and poor. He supports Chanel morally, she supports him with her wallet.
When Dmitry leaves for America a year later, the couple maintains friendly feelings. Chanel calls the prince “the genius of useful acquaintances,” and it is he who introduces her to the creator of her own fragrance, perfumer Bo.
Chanel No. 5 and a little black dress
New woman wearing Chanel clothes I couldn’t smell the old way, like violet, rose or hydrangea: I really love the smell of rose oil, but a woman who smells only of rose oil is completely untalented.
Ernest Bo, who previously worked at the royal court in St. Petersburg, experiments with a palette of scents and achieves a new shade of notes using aldehydes. Chanel likes perfume samples.
To produce them on an industrial scale, she begins to collaborate with the Wertheimer brothers. The Chanel Parfam company is created, to which the fashion designer brings his recipe and name and receives 10% of the shares. She will later regret this distribution; the Wertheimers will register new companies as dummies and will hide sales volumes.
– Where should perfume be applied?
“Where you want to be kissed,” their creator will say.
What influenced the release of a new product to become a sensation?
Marilyn Monroe also contributed to the success of the perfume, coquettishly admitting that she wears “only a couple of drops of Chanel No. 5” at night. After her announcement, millions of bottles of perfume are sold out.
Perfume is still popular now; according to Forbes, perfume is in the TOP 8 most counterfeited items, along with Rolex watches and a 50-euro note.
In 1925, the Chanel brand name appeared on the perfume bottle. According to one version, the emblem is the initials of Coco Chanel; according to another, it is the “double horseshoe” symbol of good luck, depicted in Vrubel’s sketch.
FORD CREATED BY CHANEL
The revolution in the perfume industry is followed by another challenge to society. Once, while in a theater box, Chanel was looking with her eyes for someone she knew. Contemplating the crowd, the thought comes to her about the excessive diversity of outfits: it is not the faces that catch the eye, but the colorful dresses.
Thus, in 1926, the embodiment of the idea of asceticism appeared - the little black dress. Decorated with a simple semicircular neckline, it emphasizes the figure, sets off the whiteness of the skin, and at the same time is almost invisible.
“Well-wishers” claim that the designer is forcing her clients to share her grief for Boy – previously, black was worn only in mourning. But the women liked the dress.
Without decorations, it was suitable for a business setting, and with pearl beads, a gold bracelet or brooch it looked like an evening outfit.
You never get a second chance to make a first impression. Coco Chanel
Vogue magazine in its 26th article notes that the dress “has become as popular as a Ford car!”
Duke of Westminster
In Monte Carlo, Chanel meets the Duke of Westminster - Vendor, as he was called. He showers Coco with luxurious bouquets, personally shot game, and jewelry. Chanel is conquered, but only to the extent that she allows herself to be: she “gifts” the Duke with cufflinks worth a car’s worth!
The designer spends a lot of time with Vendor at Eaton Hall Castle. Looking at servants' uniforms, Chanel gets ideas for creating women's jackets. She discovers new fabric– soft English tweed. English tendencies can be traced in her work.
The press is “marrying” beautiful couple, but Chanel understands that having become a married “madame”, she will have to leave the Fashion House. A duchess as a dressmaker - unthinkable for that era!
When I had to choose between a man and my dresses, I chose the dresses. But I doubt that Chanel would have become known to everyone without the help of Coco Chanel men
Chanel still considered the idea of marriage - if she gave the Duke an heir who would occupy a high position in society. But 46-year-old Chanel is not destined to become a mother. She refuses Vendor, because the Duke cannot be called a model of fidelity.
Once, in her presence, he invited another beauty to the yacht, and then tried to pay off Chanel with a huge emerald. Gabrielle kicked out gem overboard.
MILLION DOLLAR BUSINESS
In 1931, Prince Dmitry introduced Chanel to Sam Goldwyn, the creator of American cinema. Goldwyn dreams, both in films and in life, of dressing movie stars in Chanel clothes and offers a million-dollar contract.
The designer was required to visit Hollywood twice a year and design costumes. But Gabrielle hesitates, because previously she created her own models, and did not indulge the tastes of capricious actors and actresses.
Thanks to the persuasion of her new lover, the artist Paul Iriba, Chanel signs a contract and crosses the ocean. A warm welcome awaits her there: for a trip around the country she is provided with a White color train, the press enthusiastically calls the “Great Mademoiselle”, and celebrities line up on the platform, led by Greta Garbo.
Although the partners do not renew the contract next year, Chanel gains invaluable experience in working for the mass consumer.
The same age as Paul Irib becomes Chanel's last hope for family happiness. But tragedy strikes again: he dies on the tennis court in front of Gabrielle.
Maybe I became the Great Mademoiselle because I have no one to feed dinner? Coco Chanel
In the summer of 1936, Paris was engulfed in a strike. Workers, incited by a coalition of left-wing political parties, are demanding higher wages and union contracts.
Chanel feels betrayed - the dressmakers won't let her in own house fashion! But she pays them well and provides them with a 2-week vacation in the summer!
An enraged Chanel has to go with her team to the world war so as not to disrupt the exhibition of the new collection.
The Second World War
With the outbreak of World War II in 1939, Chanel closed its salons, leaving a store that sold perfumes. When the son of his older sister is captured, the fashion designer turns for help to the attache of the German embassy, a German by nationality, Baron von Dinklage.
He rescues her nephew, and 56-year-old Chanel begins a relationship with him. When they remember her relationship with the German, Chanel will comment on her personal life: I am so old that when a lover gets into my bed, I don’t ask him for his passport!
In 1943, she seeks a meeting with Winston Churchill. Chanel wants to convince him to support the idea of Anglo-German negotiations. The operation, classified as “secret”, was called “fashionable hat”, but never took place due to the illness of the prime minister. Later, Chanel receives a note from him: “Do fashion, politics is not for you.”
After the liberation of Paris, “purge committees” begin to operate, accusing Chanel of collaboration and arresting her. Thanks to the intercession of influential people, after a couple of hours she receives freedom. Chanel decides to leave for Switzerland.
Return to the world of fashion
She spends almost 10 years in the country of clean lakes, cheese and banks. When Dior, in the New Look show, returns wasp waists and petticoats to the catwalk (everything that Chanel struggled with), she is strengthened in her decision to return. They say that you cannot step into the same river twice. Chanel objects: “ If I want to do this, the river will have to return to old place”
71-year-old Gabrielle presents in 1954 new collection. The model show has been mercilessly criticized, with the Daily Mail calling the high-profile comeback a “fiasco.”
I do not care what you think of me. I do not think about you at all Coco Chanel
The designer did not offer anything new, but this is her secret - she does not create things for a “masquerade”. Her inventions - blouses, sweaters, cardigans, coats - you want to wear!
People can't innovate forever. I want to create classics Coco Chanel
The collection was received with a bang in America, and after three seasons Chanel achieved its former glory. A tweed suit from Mademoiselle - a narrow skirt and jacket, decorated with braid and patch pockets - becomes business card ladies with good taste. Now for Agatha Christie, to determine the status of the heroine, it is enough to indicate “that lady in a Chanel suit.”
In February 1955, the designer presented the 2.55 rectangular handbag, named after its release date. Women appreciated the innovation of the reticule - a long chain for wearing on the shoulder.
Chanel's first client was herself: corsets did not suit her - she abolished this detail of the toilet, did not like floral scents - she created her own, forgot bags and clutches - she added a chain to the accessory.
Last days
Her morning began at the Ritz Hotel, where a makeup artist showed up at 9:00, armed with mascara and lipstick. A woman who did not use cosmetics, according to Chanel, had too high an opinion of herself.
With an impeccable manicure and makeup, Coco “went out into the world”:
No one is young after forty, but we can be irresistible at any age.Coco Chanel
Until the end of her days, Chanel devoted herself to her favorite business. January 10, 1971 Chanel dies of heart attack.
She was buried in Lausanne (Switzerland), under the sign of a lion: five lion heads are depicted on the bas-relief on her grave.
The legacy of Coco Chanel
Chanel's style was destined to outlive its creator. The great Mademoiselle became not just a fashion reformer, she founded a brand that is a sign of quality and respectability.
Quotes and aphorisms from Coco Chanel adorn modern “demotivational” books, and her life story has been filmed more than once. Among the latest feature films are “Coco Chanel and Igor Stravinsky” (2009), “Coco before Chanel” (2009) with Audrey Tautou, and a film based on the script by Karl Lagerfeld “The Return” (2013).
Coco Chanel managed to reshape not only fashion, but the whole world according to her patterns.
In conclusion, we invite you to look Feature Film Coco before Chanel (2009)
By 1913, thirty-year-old Gabrielle Chanel had two salons in France. Having borrowed money from Arthur Capel, with great excitement she opens a store in the French resort of Biarritz, right on the border with Spain. With this milestone, the Chanel brand begins its conquest of Europe.
And already in 1915, a fashionable European magazine wrote: “A woman who does not have at least one Chanel dress in her wardrobe can be considered hopelessly behind fashion.”
After a century, the things desired by fashionistas from Chanel can be listed endlessly: from classic coats to elegant brooches. Today, the House of Chanel has 150 boutiques around the world and hundreds of thousands of branded products.
According to some reports, the company's annual turnover is more than a billion dollars. And the brand’s logo is one of the most recognizable and quoted in the fashion world, as is the name of its founder, the great Coco Chanel.
Who is she? How was this woman's life? Where is Gabrielle Chanel from? You will learn about all this by reading the article.
"Coco"
“My father really didn’t like the name Gabriel. He was afraid that they would call me Gabi. So he came up with the affectionate nickname Coco, which meant chicken.”
Gabrielle came up with this beautiful story to drown out the pain of an orphaned childhood in which there was no fatherly love. Chanel received the nickname Gabrielle much later from visitors to the Rotunda cabaret, where she performed after her shifts in the store. In several songs she performed, this word was constantly heard.
Gabrielle Chanel: biography, childhood
She was born on August 19, 1883, in a shelter for the poor in the French town of Saumur. she got it from the nun nurse at the shelter hospital. Neither the mother, the daughter of an ordinary worker, nor the father, a traveling merchant, could come up with a name for the newborn. The girl became the second of five children in this family.
When she turned 12, her mother died, exhausted by asthma. The father, who had a passion for the road and drinking, disappeared. The authorities assigned two sons, as abandoned, to someone else’s family, which received benefits for them, and the brothers worked like hell. The three sisters briefly lived with their uncle and aunt, but soon found themselves in a monastery orphanage.
Later, Chanel spoke of those events as unbearable blows for a child’s soul, then she had to deeply feel what it was like to lose everything. This pain gave rise to a hopeless inferiority in the girl, which pushed her to desperately bold actions until her gray hairs.
Uncompromising, arrogant, insolent. Hatred for the idle lifestyle of bohemians and a burning desire to earn money on their own in order to achieve all the benefits of this life. That's all I found in my difficult childhood Coco. And this was useful to her in order to prove to him, who abandoned her to an indifferent man with a mediocre fate, that she exists and she is worthy of love. By the way, they never met their father again.
Singer
Coco spent two years after her native monastery in another boarding school, after which she was assigned to work in a bridal goods store in the city of Moulins.
Having quickly gained trust from the store's customers, she took small orders home. But the dream of becoming an artist brought her to the stage of the Rotunda cafe, where she performed popular songs and gained her first fame and the attention of men.
Word of the young singer quickly spread throughout the small soldier's town. And the lively orphan was miserably kicked out of her decent position in the store.
Paris
The meeting with Etienne Baysan opened the door to another world. A military man, an aristocrat by birth, he had a huge inheritance and a glorious character. Their relationship began in that very “Rotunda”.
Having moved to his country house, the young provincial girl gained access to, but never became, Etienne’s legal companion.
When Gabrielle Chanel, whose photo in her youth is presented to your attention in the article, decided to open an atelier, Baysan refused her a loan, but provided her with his Parisian apartment for these purposes.
Despite warm relations, Etienne never confessed his love and was not eager to get married. His feelings flared up when his mistress left for another. The other was his closest friend.
The battle
Arthur Capel, known to his friends as "Boy", was an orphan, but managed to create a fortune and was accepted into high society. With him, Coco realized that you don’t have to be born rich - you can become one. Thanks to Boy, she began her career as an entrepreneur.
He gave money for the workshop. He lent them, because only on such a condition did the proud milliner accept them. So, in 1910, the first Chanel brand boutique appeared in Paris. At first there were hats, but later it was filled with other creations of the novice couturier.
In 1913, with Arthur's money, a second store was opened in the resort town of Deauville. With the arrival of the Germans in France in 1914, many wealthy refugees ended up in Deauville. Gabrielle was able to repay all her debts to Capel and open another boutique in Biarritz, where her march across Europe began.
Meanwhile, Etienne and Arthur shared Coco for a whole year. At this time she was calmly going about her business. Capel understood that this was a truly independent woman, and did not even try to make her his wife.
The fight remains main love her life. In 1919 he died in a car accident. The one who gave her everything again made her experience a terrible feeling from childhood - complete emptiness and loneliness.
Gabrielle Chanel: personal life
Life went on. In 1920, Koko meets Dmitry Pavlovich Romanov, the Grand Duke and cousin of the last Russian Tsar. He is young, good-looking and unmarried. Their short relationship helps her forget about her grief.
The Duke of Westminster was the richest man in England at that time. He arranged shows for her in London, without which there was no hope for success in Paris. Coco admitted that only with him did she feel protected and weak. He was able to replace her father. To marry her, the Duke divorced for three years, but due to the impossibility of having an heir from Gabrielle, they still separated.
Paul Iribe is a talented artist and sculptor. He was the first and the last man, with whom they were actually going to get married. He died in the hospital after suffering a heart attack in her arms. It happened during a tennis match, shortly before the scheduled wedding. After his death in 1935, Chanel could not sleep peacefully for many years.
In the fall of 1940, she began dating a German citizen, Hans Gunther von Dinklage. No one approved of this connection. Of course, Coco didn't care about anyone. Thanks to her relationship with Hans, she is expelled from the country, he follows her. But the family did not work out again, and at this point Chanel stopped looking for happiness in love, completely devoting herself to work.
War
By the 40s, Gabrielle Chanel, whose photo you see in the article, had five stores on Rue Cambon in Paris. With the fascist occupation, they closed them all. During the war, she moved in Nazi circles, because only they could buy her goods then. But it should be noted that, having a commercial interest, she never thought about political revolutions.
Towards the end of the war, arrests of collaborators began - Coco was also interrogated. They say that before entering the station she said: “If I’m gone for a long time, call Churchill.” She was not arrested, but for her association with the Nazis she was strongly advised to leave France.
She could never forgive her Motherland for this. After spending 9 years of exile in Switzerland, Chanel bequeathed to be buried there.
Return
In 1954, 15 years after the House closed, she returned. But the sensation ended in failure - the public did not accept the collection. Chanel was tearing and throwing. She could not give up the championship to Dior, whose new look was appreciated by Parisians for its pomp, deliberate decorativeness and bright colors. Coco has always promoted discreet luxury and dreamed not of seasonal style, but of noble classics.
With gloomy frenzy, she set about creating a second collection and emerged victorious. She achieved recognition, displacing the men who reigned at the fashion Olympus at that time.
Coco rose to never leave the catwalk again. She brought comfort, beauty and elegance back into fashion. Her style is timeless classic, sign good taste, a hymn to simplicity and luxury, freedom to be yourself.
Care
On January 11, 1971, while getting ready for work, she felt unwell. The ampoule with the usual drug did not give in; only the maid could open it. But the injection didn't help. She died of a heart attack in her home at the Ritz Hotel in Paris. This was the first day of her life when she did not go to work.
Russian trace in the life of Chanel
What “Russian trace” did the famous Coco Chanel leave? Here are some facts:
- Based on the Russian men's shirt, Coco came up with a blouse that has become a business classic among French women.
- The imperishable scent of Chanel No. 5 is the development of Moscow perfumer Ernest Beaux.
- I came up with the bottle myself, using a bottle of Russian vodka donated by Romanov as a basis.
- Diaghilev’s first “Russian Seasons” in Europe were paid for by Coco.
- When the Russian Ballet does not have enough money to pay for Diaghilev’s funeral in Venice, she will again take it upon herself.
- Her house was a refuge for the immigrated Russian intelligentsia.
Little known facts
Interesting facts from the life of Coco Chanel:
- Being nearsighted, all my life I was embarrassed by glasses and carried them in my bag.
- During a sea cruise, the Duke of Westminster gave her a rare emerald. After admiring the stone in an expensive setting, she threw it into the water.
- Only after her death did the world learn that Chanel had reduced her age by 10 years.
- Since 1935, after the death of Paul Iriba, she began taking injections of the semi-legal drug “Sedol” and did them until the end of her life. Chanel assured that she uses this medicine only once a day.
- At the suggestion of the Romanovs, she used cheap labor in the workshops - refugees from Russia.
- The signature black toe on light shoes is her way of visually shortening her size 40 feet with a height of 169 cm.
- One of the first to suggest famous people advertise your brand by donating promoted products.
This is Gabrielle. Someone will envy her, someone will admire her... In any case, there is someone to follow as an example...
The woman is a legend known throughout the world. So simple and so mysterious. She made a huge contribution to the development of fashion, the beauty of outfits, women's style and attractiveness. Thanks to her, women received a wonderful scent and a little black dress, chic hats and a fitted jacket. It is still a symbol of charm, elegance and fashion.
This woman had fame, honor and wealth, the veneration of people, the passionate love of many men. But was she happy as a woman? Coco Chanel's personal life will be discussed in this article. Readers will learn many secrets of her life, love and career.
The world's first female fashion designer was born in France. What other country could give the world a specialist with delicate taste and an excellent sense of style? France has always been considered the cradle of innovation and the patroness of beauty, fashion and love.
Coco Chanel was born in the small but beautiful ancient town of Saumur. It is famous for its mysterious ancient castle, which is located on the river bank. Her biography began in 1883. However, according to Coco’s personal testimony, her place of birth was Auvergne. And she was born ten years later, according to her statement, which, however, has not been verified.
Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel
The life of Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel (that was actually Coco's name) was difficult from the very beginning. Her mother died during childbirth. Soon the girl and her four brothers and sisters were sent to an orphanage by her father.
Carier start
When Gabrielle came of age, a new independent life began for her. She had to earn her own living. Her creative biography began when she got a job as a saleswoman in a clothing store. IN free time Gabrielle Chanel sang in a cabaret. The girl's voice was good. She sang songs that were fashionable at that time, which included the words: “Ko ko ri ko” and “Kyu kua wu Koko.” From these words, instead of a name, she got a personal nickname: “Coco.”
Coco's birthday - August 19 means that this woman was born under fire sign Leo. This explains his great determination, tirelessness in achieving his goal, as well as passion and temperament. Such women are usually attractive, but they are no less insidious. They often use the love of men for their own selfish purposes.
Coco was exactly like that. She did not achieve a great singing career. However, during her performances she attracted the attention of a rich man. He invited the beauty to leave with him, promising mountains of gold.
The girl, who grew up in poverty and deprived of love and attention, responded to his proposal. And now she is already going to Paris with officer Etienne Balsan.
Koko did not yet understand that it was not the desire to get married that attracted the rich officer to her. The caustic word had not yet reached her: “kept woman”, which the woman would be called for the rest of her life. But Coco has already guessed how to use Etienne’s love for her own selfish purposes.
It was difficult to call Coco Chanel the officer’s favorite woman back then, but it was quite possible to call him his favorite toy. Although we should not forget that only thanks to this man she found changes in her difficult biography, freedom and peace of mind: she did not have to rack her brains over thinking about how to earn another piece of bread for herself and her hungry brothers and sisters. It’s hard to say whether she loved this handsome officer, whether she was happy with him in her personal life. Most likely, she simply caught floating luck by the tail.
At that time, Coco increasingly dreamed of becoming a milliner. Grandiose plans came into her head to make her dreams come true. One day, Coco initiated her lover into the course of her thoughts and plans. But he did not share her dreams, did not support her, but only laughed. A beautiful, spoiled girl - that’s what Chanel was for him and nothing more. Etienne did not see creative potential in her, did not believe in her development creative biography. However, since she still insisted, he introduced the girl to an enterprising Englishman, who became her sponsor.
After meeting Arthur Capel, great changes occurred in Coco's personal life. She truly fell in love with this man and moved to live with him. Moreover, Coco Chanel claimed that Arthur was the love of her life. The only man, whom she truly loved.
In addition, he became for her not only another lover, but also a friend and assistant in starting her own business. It was thanks to the help of a wealthy Englishman that in 1910 Coco opened her own salon in Paris, where she began selling hats. By the way, it still works. In the photos of those years, in her chic hats, Coco Chanel is simply inimitable. God gave this woman beauty, intelligence, and talent. However, this does not always mean a happy personal life.
Fashion designer career development
In 1919, Coco Chanel suffered a serious ordeal. Her lover, Arthur Capel, died in a car accident. It was a real grief, a great loss in her personal life. She dreamed of having children from him, but fate decreed otherwise.
After this tragic event, Coco decides to mourn. However, society would not justify this action of hers. The fact is that if a woman was not married to the deceased, she did not have the right to mourn for him. Then the wise woman used a trick.
It was at this time that Coco created the legendary “little black dress”. She could wear it freely in society, with different decorations, and accordingly satisfy her mourning mood. The little black dress is still popular today. Women all over the world fell in love with this model and thanks to light hand Coco has been wearing it for a hundred years!
At that time, Coco began to increasingly demonstrate her abilities as a fashion designer. It was she who began to introduce elements into women's fashion men's clothing. In the 20s of the last century, the length of women's dresses decreased significantly. Many perceived this as insolence and depravity. And many women were simply afraid to wear men’s jackets.
Coco Chanel came up with the idea of making a man's jacket female version. She tailored the jacket female figure. Many people liked it. But, of course, there was enough criticism of the unusual fashion designer.
It was also at that time that Coco invented her famous perfume scent, which was named after her - Chanel No. 5. The refined taste of the fashion designer was offered different types perfume smells. But she only approved the one she liked more than the rest. Women all over the world still highly value these perfumes and consider them a very expensive gift. Now this is the most expensive fragrance in the world! It costs about 6 thousand dollars per liter!
At the same time, Coco Chanel came up with women's handbags on a chain. She motivated this by the fact that she constantly forgets her purses everywhere. And if you hang it on your shoulder, then you don’t have to worry and completely forget about it.
Gradually, Coco Chanel's business took off. She started her own modeling agency. She came up with more and more new models and delighted women all over the world with their shows. The most beautiful models willingly came to work with her. This talented woman was respected by many and considered a legend.
But Coco Chanel still had many challenges ahead. Including in my personal life. If we briefly describe her fate, we can say this: glory through tears.
In the 20s, the famous milliner began to be actively invited by many theaters to make costumes and scenery. So in 1924, she was the designer of costumes for the ballet “The Blue Express” by D. Milhaud. And four years later, Coco created outfits for Stravinsky’s ballet Apollo Musagete.
In 1929, Coco heard a rumor about fatal disease the outstanding Russian theater figure Diaghilev. He was dying in France. She and her friend came to him and literally took his last breath. Coco also donated a large sum of money for his funeral, since the man who devoted so much energy and money to the theater was dying in great poverty.
During World War II, Coco Chanel was accused of collaborating with the Nazis. One of the writers in his book of those years openly called her a German spy.
The woman was credited with supplying information to the Germans about French troops. Although such information has not been confirmed in any way. Such rumors were born after Coco entered into a love affair with the German spy Hans Gunther von Dinklage. The poor woman tried to justify herself by saying that the only connection she had with the German was bed, but it was all in vain.
A year before the end of the war, Coco was arrested. But Churchill, who was always impressed by the talented woman, petitioned for her release. Coco was released from prison on the condition that she leave the country. Chanel left France and was able to return to her homeland only in 1953.
Last years
In 1954, Coco, who was then already over 70, presented her new collection to the world. Her admirers were women from the richest strata of society. The so-called “tweed” suit became popular thanks to this talented stylist. Narrow skirt and a jacket were part of it and became the dream of many women of that time.
In addition, Coco began to collaborate with Hollywood. It was she who began to create outfits for such stars as Audrey Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor and others.
In her old age, Coco began to engage in philanthropy. She donated large sums of money to talented artists: Salvador Dali and Pablo Picasso.
It is known that the first lady of the United States considered it an honor to be dressed by this talented milliner. For some time, Coco created outfits for Jacqueline Kennedy.
At the beginning of 1971, Coco Chanel died in the rich Ritz Hotel. She lived there often in the last years of her life. The cause of death was given as a heart attack. She died alone, because all her lovers had either died or left her. No one ever called her “mom” in her life. Coco Chanel's whole life was devoted to career and love. She was 87 years old.
While Coco was still alive, a musical dedicated to the legendary woman was staged on the Broadway stage. It was called "Coco". A few years later, the feature film “Coco Chanel” was shot. Similar films have been made many times about the life of this mysterious woman.
Interestingly, in 1983 a gold coin with the image of Coco Chanel was released.
Personal life
The biography of Coco Chanel and her personal life are very interesting. This woman had many men, but was never able to give birth to children.
After the death of Arthur Capel, Coco spent a year in mourning. She said that she would never love anyone like that again in her life. However, a year later the woman met the Russian prince Dmitry Romanov. It was my nephew ruling emperor Nicholas II. He, like the rest of the men, literally lost his head over the beauty and attractiveness of Coco.
Their dizzying romance lasted several years. The wise woman was able to use these relationships for the benefit of her business. It was he who helped her create the famous fragrance “Chanel No. 5”. The prince also helped find beautiful female models for the fashion show. He sponsored her endeavors a lot.
Despite the fact that he was ten years younger than his beloved, their romance was stormy. But, unfortunately, the prince had to leave for Russia soon. They corresponded until the end of his life (he died in 1942).
The next prominent man in Coco Chanel's personal life was the Duke of Westminster. He was fabulously rich. Coco lived in his palace like a queen. And they led a corresponding lifestyle: rich balls, receptions, visits. He loved Coco very much and was ready to make her his wife.
The obstacle was that the Duke needed an heir, and Coco could not have children. Affected stormy youth and numerous abortions. Then he broke up with his beloved after almost fifteen years of marriage.
The last lover of the legendary woman was the German Hans Gunther von Dinklage. They went abroad together after Coco was kicked out of France. But living together theirs was not peaceful. They fought often. Fists were sometimes used.
So a beautiful and talented woman died completely alone.
On August 19, 1883, Coco Chanel was born, a woman whose life story formed the basis of many books and films. The personal life of Coco is of particular interest to the public to this day. The novels of the legendary Chanel were stormy and bright, but, to her great regret, not very successful. Despite the fact that for years she created the image of a strong and independent woman, Mademoiselle Coco really wanted to get married. But none of her many novels ended with the long-awaited wedding. And the worse Coco Chanel’s personal life was, the more successful her professional one was.
“You pay for love in installments, and for the most part, alas, when love is already over.”
The brave officer Etienne Balsan became Coco's first love. It is now difficult to judge how strong and sincere her feelings were towards Balsan, but it was thanks to him that Chanel left the cabaret where she worked as a singer. Coco moved to the country estate of Etienne Balsan, where, contrary to her expectations, she could not find happiness. Chanel's position in the house was not much different from that of a servant. For Etienne Balsan, the young singer was just entertainment, and when Coco announced her desire to become a milliner, her lover simply laughed at her. However, it was Balsan who introduced Chanel to Arthur Capel - the man who was destined to become the biggest and tragic love in her life.
- Arthur Capel
Having parted with Etienne Balzan, Coco Chanel begins to live with Arthur Capel, who managed to become for her not only a lover, but also true friend. With his help, Chanel takes her first steps as a fashion designer and opens a boutique in Paris. Arthur Capel, nicknamed “Boy,” was known as a womanizer, but after meeting Chanel, he ended all his numerous novels in order to devote himself entirely to life with his beloved. For several years, the lovers were immensely happy, until Capel began to return to old habits. More and more often, Boy started having affairs on the side, to which Coco had to turn a blind eye. Chanel was also upset by the fact that Arthur Capel obviously did not intend to marry her, and after some time he even announced that he was going down the aisle with a completely different girl belonging to the highest circles. Coco's love and fear of being left without her loved one were so great that she agrees to endure this humiliation. And according to legend, he even sews a dress for Arthur’s chosen one. But these sacrifices did not help Chanel to be with her loved one forever; life made its own adjustments. In 1919, Arthur Capel dies in a car accident. The death of a loved one becomes a strong blow for Coco, leading to prolonged depression. It took a lot of time great Chanel to be able to survive this tragedy and find the strength to move on. Despite the fact that other men subsequently appeared in Coco Chanel’s life, her only true love she always thought it was Arthur Capel.
A year after the death of Arthur Capel, Coco Chanel is introduced to Prince Dmitry Romanov, a cousin of Emperor Nicholas II. Despite the very noticeable difference in age (Chanel was 37 years old at that time, and Prince Dmitry was not even 30), the acquaintance quickly develops into a romance. Dmitry Romanov helps his new lover to expand the business: introduces him to influential people, offers to use beautiful girls as fashion models. However, the main merit of Prince Dmitry is that it was he who brought Chanel together with perfumer Ernest Beaux, with whom they would later create the legendary fragrance Chanel No. 5. Dmitry and Coco's romance was short-lived. About a year later, the prince moved to the USA, where he married a very wealthy girl. Dmitry managed to maintain warm friendly relations with Coco until his death in 1942.
- Duke of Westminster
Coco Chanel's most beautiful and long-lasting romance was her romance with the Duke of Westminster. At the beginning of the relationship, both had a rich past behind them. Coco Chanel experienced betrayal and the loss of loved ones, the Duke was twice divorced, so they needed light and beautiful novel. These relationships were truly royal in nature: receptions, travel, luxurious gifts. Coco Chanel and the Duke of Westminster were welcome guests everywhere and led an active social life. No one had any doubt that the wedding was just around the corner. But this time too, luck turned away from Mademoiselle Coco. The Duke of Westminster passionately wanted an heir, which Chanel, alas, could not give him due to infertility. For some time she still hoped that the Duke simply could not part with her and would eventually forget about his desire to have children. However, this did not happen, and after 14 years the beautiful romance was over.
- Hans Gunther von Dinklage
After breaking up with the Duke of Westminster, Chanel had several affairs, one of which almost cost her the business of her life. During the Second World War, Mademoiselle Coco, who was already over 50 at that time, met the German diplomat Hans Gunther von Dinklage. Chanel viewed this relationship as the last chance to find personal happiness, and therefore could not soberly assess the situation. She allowed the man not only to turn her head, but also to force her to get involved in political affairs. Hans turned out to be a German spy and Wehrmacht colonel who convinced Coco Chanel to arrange a meeting for him with her friend Winston Churchill. At the end of the war, Coco Chanel was arrested. She was charged with aiding fascism. Chanel denied everything, claiming that she was only associated with Hans Gunther von Dinklage love relationship. The French authorities decided to allow Coco to voluntarily leave the country; if she refused, she would face prison. Coco Chanel and her lover leave for Switzerland, where they will live for almost 10 years. Family life it won't work out again. Once lovers will quarrel violently and often, and, according to rumors, sometimes fight. After parting with Hans Gunther von Dinklage, Coco Chanel gave up trying to find family happiness, and devoted the last years of her life entirely to work.
Coco Chanel managed to change the fashion world by inviting ladies to change corsets and fluffy skirts to jumpers and jackets with trousers. She dressed the nobility: duchesses and baronesses - all elite France. She designed for them not only dresses, but also hats, jewelry, bags and perfume - everything that would be called Chanel style.
Raised by nuns in poverty, she dreamed of luxury and love. By the age of 30, she had it all. Thanks to talent, perseverance and of course, men. She had rich lovers and patrons who gave her not only happiness, but also invested a lot of money in her and her business. She was grateful to each of them for this and said that in her work there was a piece of her heartfelt experiences. She created the little black dress after tragic death lover, and adorned him with a pearl necklace when another affair brought her disappointment. She will never marry, but will proudly bear the name Mademoiselle Chanel until her death.
She lived long life, died at 87 in Switzerland. Coco Chanel became the only fashion designer included in the list of influential people of the last century.
Her fortune was estimated at $160 million. And her name still brings money to the owners of the Chanel Fashion House and is not forgotten by her fans and supporters.
Seamstress
Gabrielle was born in a small town in France on August 19, 1883. Her parents were not married and did not live richly, raising four children. Evgenia Devol's mother was the daughter of a carpenter, took care of children and did not work anywhere. Father Albert Chanel is a small merchant. The girl turned 12 years old when her mother fell ill and died. The father gave the children to an orphanage at the monastery. Until Gabrielle comes of age, she will be raised by nuns who will teach her embroidery, sewing and patience. She will dream of a comfortable life and a successful marriage. Maybe it was these dreams that prompted her to escape. Together with a friend, they reached Aunt Gabriel, but she insisted on returning to the monastery. The girls refused, then they were offered other monastery walls - in the small town of Moulins.
The good thing about the boarding house was that you could leave it freely, and the young ladies took advantage of this. Gabrielle's freedom-loving nature needed space, she walked around the city, exploring the surroundings and local residents. Two years later, the girls were hired to work in a small shop that sold clothes and furs sewn here. So Gabrielle began to earn money with the craft she knew how to do. In the evenings, the friends often went to the cafe, where they soon became regulars.
One day they were asked to try singing on stage and since then they have been going out to perform more and more often, singing simple songs. One of them with the humorous name “Ko Ko Ri Ko” was popular. The town was a garrison town and the military’s success was stunning. The cheerful and sociable Gabrielle liked it.
One of the officers, a wealthy bachelor Etienne de Balzan, noticed the fragile singer and began to show her signs of attention. He was a big fan of horse racing, had his own house with a stable and golf courses, so he saw Gabrielle, whom he called Coco, thanks to her songs, not only as a mistress, but also as a rider. He invited her to move in with him and received consent.
Coco and Boy
Gabrielle learned to ride not in a riding habit, as was customary at that time, but in shirts and jockey trousers, altered for her from Etienne's. He was pleased with her femininity and unlikeness from the ladies of his circle. She was indeed treated as a strange person, but this did not offend her. She liked to live in the castle, sleep as much as she wanted and sometimes sew for herself and create hats for Etienne's rich friends. Of course, she was waiting for changes in her destiny, but she still remained only a mistress. The doors to high society were closed to her, and her man’s most passionate hobby was horses, not her.
Everything changed when Gabrielle fell in love with Etienne’s friend, whom his loved ones called Boy, and he reciprocated her feelings. She was 26 years old, he was 28. The athletic British industrialist Arthur Capel offered her not his hand and his heart, but shelter and his own hat shop, which she had already dreamed of for many years. She agrees and in 1910 receives a gift, the address of which will soon become known to all fashionistas in Paris and its environs.
Arthur will help her in everything: provide her with money and orders. Things will go as planned, for Gabrielle it will be happy years her life. Three years later, he will advise her to open another boutique in Deauville. Sea style, which a strange milliner will begin to use in clothes, and straw hats will soon become popular in this resort town.
The girl works tirelessly, the circle of her clients is expanding: ladies are becoming more and more bold in their choice of clothes, looking at the noble people who dress in Chanel stores.
Success comes gradually: her collections adorn the catwalks, the press writes about them as a revolution in the fashion world, Coco Chanel dresses are worn by Baroness Rothschild herself, who preferred her to the famous couturier Paul Poiret.
Coco went to her victories on the catwalks and made a fortune through the war of 1914 and Russian “white” emigrants, coupled with bohemians from the world of music and ballet. She became friends with Sergei Diaghilev, who introduced her to Jean Cocteau, Pablo Picasso, Igor Stravinsky, Leon Bakst and many others. She will sew simple women's dresses and suits made from cheap jersey fabric that fall softly and reveal ankles. Lace and ruffles have no place in wartime clothing: luxury will give way to convenience and practicality. She creates stage costumes for ballet dancers, and will subsequently help Diaghilev finance productions and carry out tailoring orders for the ballet troupe. Today, collections for the performances of the Russian seasons from Chanel are stored in many museums, including in St. Petersburg.
In 1915, Boy takes a vacation and travels to the south of France, away from the war, to the prestigious seaside town of Biarritz. Rich people from all over the world come here, and it is here that Chanel will open her Fashion House.
Very soon a wave of emigrants fleeing the revolution in Russia will pour into France. Many of the dressmakers who sewed for the nobility would work for Chanel, introducing famous Russian motifs into her collections.
The revolutionary year in distant Russia will become a turning point in Paris, only of a completely different kind. Coco Chanel is sacrificing her long hair for her new "bisexual fashion" style. She thinks that short hair open long neck and are very suitable for men’s borrowings in women’s clothing.
Arthur Capel supports his passion in everything; he believes in Coco, in her talent and success like no other man in her life.
A little more and they will get married, Gabrielle thought in the arms of her Boy. But he wanted one thing: with the help of marriage, to obtain the coveted title and heirs, and Gabriel could not have children, not to mention high position in society.
After nine years of close and cloudless relationships, he announces that he will marry an aristocrat and in 1918 announces this to his beloved. She understands him, but her heart is beating into pieces. Boy explains that he doesn’t want to change anything in their relationship; they are still dating, despite the ring on his ring finger.
But when he was driving to her to celebrate Christmas, his car lost control due to a burst tire and overturned at high speed. A year after the wedding, he died.
She will create the famous black dress in memory of him, but she will always wear it, because for her he will remain unsurpassed, her only beloved person. A little later, she will pull herself together and take another step towards her popularity - she will surprise the world with perfume by releasing Coco Noir perfume, which she will dedicate to the memory of Boy.
Glory and death
Gabrielle was not completely discouraged by her work; she plunged into it headlong. Her success in all areas of the fashion world makes her talk about as a brilliant stylist. Her suits appear, strictly cut, exactly to her figure, and as a finishing touch to the image, a drop of Chanel No. 5 perfume.
They appeared thanks to Prince Dmitry, the grandson of Alexander II. Dmitry Pavlovich lived poorly and Gabrielle decided to help him, and then fell in love. The prince introduced her to the famous perfumer Ernest Beaux. He more than a year worked on her order on a perfume scent named after her. Chanel chose the fifth number from those presented by him. And I was not mistaken, because they still work wonders for many women.
Dmitry Pavlovich will soon leave for America, but will be grateful to his savior; they will maintain friendship until the prince’s death in 1942.
Chanel often repeated that she values simplicity and elegance; the fair half of humanity sees inimitable and sophisticated charm in her style.
And she has a new romance - this woman does not know how to live without male attention. She sheltered in her villa the family of the Russian composer Igor Stravinsky, whom she had already known for many years. The passion will be secret and short-lived, but will have a strong influence on the creativity of both.
When Coco Chanel turned 40, she met the Duke of Westminster. From this long relationship she was left with diamonds, houses, happy moments and broken hopes for marriage.
In her life there will be collections of not only clothes, hats, perfumes, jewelry, accessories, bags, but also men. She skillfully mixed commercial and intimate relationships. This was the case with the artist Paul Irib, who came up with a series for her jewelry. Their union was fruitful, but fleeting due to a sudden heart attack.
Nothing broke her: neither the economic crisis, nor the war with the Nazis, because of which she had to close the business, nor the accusations of collaboration with the Nazis, which is why she had to leave for Switzerland.
The accusation of betrayal was not confirmed, Gabrielle simply fell in love once again. She was already 56 years old when she met a German baron, her junior by many years. She allowed him to lure her into political affairs, because she had no idea that he was a Wehrmacht colonel. He simply asked her to facilitate a meeting with Churchill, with whom Gabrielle was friends. After the war, she was reminded of this and was even arrested on charges of aiding fascism. She denied, but the French authorities gave her little choice: either prison or she would leave her homeland. The lovers lived together in Switzerland for almost 10 years. But she continued to work, not with European fashion houses, but with American ones. Her outfits for Hollywood stars. Her fortune grew, despite everything and in post-war years exceeded $150 million.
Her return to Paris occurred in 1956, when she was seventy years old. Lonely and uncompromising, she again dictated fashion and instilled style. Dressed movie stars and political elite. Triumph followed on her heels and she basked in the rays of adoration.
Films have been made about her and books have been written. Her contribution to the global fashion context is great, she was able to do more - change the mentality of women, made them love themselves and always look beautiful.
Coco Chanel died of a heart attack on January 10, 1971 at the Ritz Hotel. 12 years after this, Karl Lagerfeld continued her work, heading the Chanel Fashion House.
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