Delightful Shopping
Keira Knightley as Coco Chanel
May. 13th
I am a massive Chanel fan, so quite excited to see this short film “Once Upon A Time” by Karl Lagerfeld – all about the amazing and crazy life of Gabrielle Coco Chanel. I think Keira Knightley is a great choice for the role.
What did you think? What a life! Did you see my Designer Love – Chanel blog post all about her life and the classic Chanel brand?
Have a fab afternoon and I shall be back soon 
xx
Coco Chanel Baby Shower
Jan. 16th
Showers (the party variety) are really an American thing – baby or bridal showers – but they are becoming more and more popular in the UK. As a wedding planner, a few of my brides have had them and they are always a massive hit with bride and guest.
I went to my very first baby shower last week and it was so much fun – we ate nibbles and cupcakes, drank champagne, gave gifts, talked babies, got broody and by the end were made un-broody with too much talk of One Born Every Minute hehe! Despite the exciting occasion, it is just a great excuse for all the girls to get together… so why not.
What do you think of this shower business? A great idea or just another cheeky, self indulgent way to get more presents?! I for one think we should shower more and wanted to share this gorgeous Coco Chanel themed baby shower with you today -
Hostess With The Mostess
Isn’t Coco Chanel just a gorgeous theme for a baby shower – it works so well here.
Would you, or have you had/attended a baby or bridal shower? What was it like… would love to hear your thoughts?
Have a lovely day and I shall be back soon xx
Designer Love – Chanel
Aug. 2nd
Afternoon all. Writing a fashion blog it should come as no surprise that I am interested in fashion, old and new. There is something so romantic about the early classics such as Coco Chanel and Christian Dior and I am therefore going to be dedicating a series of blog post to them – starting with Chanel. I have learnt a lot about her whilst researching this post – such an amazing life (good and bad) – so I hope you enjoy it.
French fashion designer Gabrielle “Coco” Bonheur Chanel was born in August 1883 and died in January 1971. Coco began her career as a seamstress and later in around 1908 started designing hats. She then opened her first boutique in 1913 where she started to introduce clothing to her lines.
In 1924 “Parfums Chanel” was created, but Coco licensed her name to the company and only owned 10% of the stock – she spent the next 20 years trying regain control.
By 1935, Coco had become a regular drug user and injected morphine on a daily basis until the end of her life in 1971. It was even said that Chanel was “called Coco because she threw the most fabulous cocaine parties in Paris”.
Chanel moved in the highest levels of British aristocracy and was thought to have had relationships with the then Duke of Westminster and the Prince of Wales, Edward VIII. Despite various long term relationships Chanel never married and when asked why she didn’t marry the Duke of Westminster she replied “There have been several Duchesses of Westminster. There is only one Chanel.”
From 1931, for the equivalent today of 75 million dollars, Chanel went to Hollywood twice a year to design costumes for the MGM film stars. Her reviews were mixed and Chanel’s verdict was that “Hollywood is the capital of bad taste… and it is vulgar”!
At the beginning of World War II Chanel closed her shops saying “it was not a time for fashion”. In closing her couture house, Chanel made a definitive statement of her political views and her strong loathing of Jews. The War provided Chanel with the opportunity to regain the fortune generated by “Parfums Chanel” (mentioned above) and its most profitable product, Chanel No. 5. The directors of “Parfums Chanel,” the Wertheimers, were Jewish, and Chanel used her position as an “Aryan” to petition German officials to legalize her claim to sole ownership.
Chanel did not know however that the Wertheimers, anticipating the Nazi seizures had legally turned control of “Parfums Chanel” over to a Christian, French businessman and industrialist. The Wertheimers and Chanel eventually came to an agreement – they would pay her living expenses for the rest of her life and give her 2% of the company, which was enough to make her one of the richest women in the world.
Chanel was a Nazi spy during the War but after interrogation by the French, they had to let her go as there was no documented evidence. It is widely thought that she was freed on the instructions of Winston Churchill. It was feared that if Chanel were ever made to testify too many important people would be exposed, including the Royal Family.
In 1945 Chanel moved to Switzerland and did not return to Paris until 1954 when, at over 70 years old, she re-established her couture house. Her new collection was not received well in Paris as they thought she was tainted by her War time Nazi associations, but the British and Americans loved it and continued to be her loyal customers. At 87 years old, and still working, Chanel died at the Hotel Ritz where she had resided for over 30 years.
As well as the timeless fashion and inspiration Coco Chanel left behind, she also left behind a vast array of quotes that are re-used throughout the world on a daily basis.
After that bit of history, I thought I would share a few more of my favourite Chanel photos with you. I have a whole Pinterest board dedicated to Chanel, so should not just keep them to myself!
What do you think – are you a Chanel fan? Did you know all of this about her? I had no idea about a lot of it – especially the Nazi spy stuff – what a life!
What about the photos – which is your favourite? I love the old ones of Coco and this bottom photo of the vintage Chanel jewellery is cool. I would also love a dog that brought me Chanel bags!
Have a good day and I shall be back soon xx
Historical information via Wikipedia.
