Iconic fashion designer Gabrielle Bonheur "Coco" Chanel (1883 – 1971) is an enduring, interesting and charismatic character. She led a life full of love, success and adventure, all of which provides excellent material for movie scripts.
Chanel’s Interesting Life
As well as revolutionising women’s fashion (she pioneered women wearing trousers and made having a tan acceptable in fashion circles) and creating one of the world’s most enduring brand names, Chanel had a colourful private life. She spent part of her childhood in an orphanage, then at 18 took a job in a tailors, which sparked her interest in fashion design.
She always had a taste for rich and powerful men, among her lovers, a Duke, a French playboy, a Russian composer and controversially during the Second World War, Hans Gunther von Dincklage, a Nazi spy.
Many stories and rumours surround her legacy. One of the best is that while dating Hugh Grosvenor, the 2nd Duke of Westminster, he declared his love for her by having her initials – and instantly recognisable Chanel logo – put on all the lampposts in Westminster. Take a look at one of those said lampposts today and there still is a design that looks suspiciously like the Chanel symbol on them.
Life on the Big Screen
2009 sees Chanel very much en vogue, as there are not one, but two films about her life being released.
Coco Avant Chanel stars Audrey Tautou as Coco Chanel. It is a biographical look at how she went from a poverty stricken childhood to establishing the House of Chanel. Tautou has also, fittingly, been named as the new face of the Chanel No.5 perfume, taking over from actress Nicole Kidman.
Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky has Anna Mougalis in the title role and explores the designers relationship with Russian composer, pianist and conductor, Igor Stravinsky, with whom she had a passionate affair in 1920. Current Chanel Creative Director, Karl Lagerfeld gave his full support to both films, allowing access to the Chanel archives and collaborating on pieces for the big screen.
Past tellings of Chanel’s life include, in 1969, a Broadway musical, Coco, starring Katharine Hepburn. The set was designed by Cecil Beaton and although the show ran for over 300 performances, Chanel herself never saw the production. As to why is another source of rumour, it is said Chanel didn’t like the casting of Katharine rather than Audrey Hepburn or that she didn’t agree with Katharine’s portrayal of her in the musical. Other biographical screen depictions of her life are Chanel Solitaire (1981) and Coco Chanel (2008), a made-for-TV movie starring Shirley MacLaine.
The House of Chanel has also been represented on screen through the documentaries, Signé Chanel (2005) and Lagerfeld Confidential (2007).
Jennifer McNulty - I am an experienced fashion writer, and have written for both print and online publications, including Marie Claire Online, Freestyle ...
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