(19 August 1883 – 10 January 1971)

I have always been intrigued by Coco Chanel. I’ve watched a few documentaries on Fashion Television and when I heard there was a movie Coco avant Chanel, I knew I had to go see it. I was delighted about the movie, for how much I learned and I how much I felt as though I really connected with Gabrielle Bonheur “Coco” Channel. Watching her evolve into the brand that we now know as Coco Chanel was amazing. The cast was amazing too and I loved the fact that the movie was in french (with english subtitles) which allowed it to stay true to form. Audrey Tautou, who I loved in Amelie, did a great delivery with the role of Coco Chanel. I even think she resembled her a bit. I don’t like blogs that ruin movies for others so I will only say that the movie really showed how Gabrielle got started and the perils she went through to achieve a timeless fashion brand. Her story shows true resilliance, through many broken heel moments.

After watching the movie, I was off on my own research to find out more. I was really impressed at the longevity of such a timeless brand. It left me with something to think about as it relates to the fashion world, as it relates to me and my endeavours and how I always strive to create something  that is lasting and timeless.  That is why I am always amazed at the history behind powerful fashion brands or powerful brands period. Somehow they manage to create a niche and carve a mark in history that is never forgotten. That is impressive. The brand was all about expensive simplicity for women’s clothing. I don’t even want to think about where women’s fashion would be if she didn’t push the boundaries. I also feel that that is the main reason why the brand is still so strong. Simplicity in luxury is what women want. To feel beautiful but not over the top. Coco Chanel left such a lasting mark in the fashion world that she was the first person in the industry to be named “Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People of the 20th Century”.

What struck me the most is although she faced many hardships, being an orphan and facing more hurdles in her later years, she persevered through it all, determined to make it despite it all. Although the times are different, I think her story is a story that many successful woman can relate to.

Here are some goodies below I put together for you, enjoy ! If you haven’t seen the movie yet, go see it and let me know what you think. If you have seen it, what do you think ?

Here is the trailer to the movie Coco avant Chanel

Here is a clip of  Vogue inside Chanel’s Paris apartment