This article focuses on the life of Coco Chanel and her fashion philosophy, retracing her personal life and journey as a designer through the film Coco Before Chanel. It sheds light on the design innovations Chanel pursued and the impact she had on the fashion world, and explains why she is still so beloved.
Although Coco Before Chanel was not a box office success, Coco Chanel was a fashion designer that I have always deeply admired, so I couldn’t pass it up. The fact that it was a movie about her life was fascinating and made me take a second look at her as a person and as a designer. Here’s a brief synopsis of the movie Coco Chanel, who dreamed of becoming a singer, worked as a seamstress and sang in cafes at night. A man introduced her to high society, where she met Arthur Capell, who had a great influence on her life. With his full support, Coco opens a hat and costume shop and becomes very successful, especially with her original idea of designing clothes that are both beautiful and comfortable. However, love fails her, and life’s many ups and downs lead her to a lonely end as a woman.
What I found disappointing about this movie was that it focused more on Coco Chanel’s life as a woman than her achievements as a designer. While her personal life is important, I felt that there was not enough depth to cover her design world, which is equally important. However, it was a great movie to revisit her fashion philosophy and design world. So, in this post, I’m going to write down some of the things I’ve always thought about Coco Chanel, regardless of the movie’s plot.
Coco Chanel is a fashion designer who founded the world’s most famous luxury brand, Chanel. Everyone has heard of the Chanel No.5 perfume or the chain shoulder bag, which has become a symbol of the brand. Chanel’s name has become more than just a fashion brand, it’s a cultural icon. So what is it about Chanel that has made her so memorable to people around the world? Of course, the perfumes and bags that made her name are part of it, but more importantly, it’s the “design revolution” she started.
Originally a hat designer, Coco Chanel began designing womenswear around 1915. The success of her hat shop led to aristocratic ladies asking her to design their dresses as well. At the time, women’s clothing was characterized by corsets that tightened the waist excessively and lifted the bust. While these clothes may have met aesthetic standards, they took a toll on women’s health. Rib deformities and organ damage were common, and overly ornate dresses greatly restricted the wearer’s mobility.
Coco Chanel set out to liberate women from these uncomfortable garments and began to pursue simple, practical designs. One of her most iconic creations was the Chanel suit. The suit was made of jersey, a material unheard of in women’s clothing at the time, to allow for greater mobility, and the skirt was shortened from its traditional toe-length to around the knee. These changes were welcomed by women, and Chanel’s designs have stood the test of time because they offer convenience without sacrificing elegance.
Furthermore, Coco Chanel helped to change the very concept of fashion. She designed clothes not just for beauty, but for the life and freedom of the wearer. This was a revolutionary idea for its time, and it played an important role in defining the basic concepts of modern fashion. Her quote “Fashion comes and goes, but style is forever” still inspires many people today.
Coco Chanel’s design philosophy was not just about physical beauty, but also about convenience and freedom for the wearer, which is why her creations have transcended their time and are still loved around the world today. Watching the movie Coco Before Chanel deepened my respect for her design legacy, even if the focus on her life was a bit lackluster. Chanel’s influence still permeates our lives and will continue to do so for years to come.
