27A – Reading Reflection No. 3

27A – Reading Reflection No. 3

Coco Chanel, Lisa Chaney

Coco Chanel has always been an Icon of mine and I’ve always had a deep admiration for Chanel. I actually created a vision board for myself many years ago and on that board was a Chanel purse that I wanted to buy when I become successful. I always felt connected to this book because of the journey outlined and when I actually sat down to read the book I realized that I admired her for very valid reasons and I actually found more reasons. This book was undoubtedly one of the most fascinating books I’ve ever read and I would recommend it to everyone. 

For instance, in the book she is portrayed as an icon, which she undoubtably is. The book talks about Chanels unconventional rise to success. She didn’t come from a rich family and she didn’t have a lot of resources her entire life yet her list of accomplishments is very admirable. Chanel was born into a very small family of merchants in Cevennes and anded up being taken in by nuns at the age of 11 after the passing of her mother. She found work in Moulins where she lived under the care of the nuns, Moulines economically had one of the strongest military presence which enabled her to get started on her career early. Chanel was a seamstress for the military, altering uniforms and spending a lot of time with military lieutenants. 

This book took a lot of time to analyze the different constrictions women faced and how women had to often times use their bodies as a means of survival. The book even goes to suggest that Chanel worked in some form of prostitution to supplement her income while working as an entertainer and seamstress. This lifestyle obviously wears a person down quite a bit which is why Chanel eventually sought business ventures outside of what she had been doing. In 1911 Chanel opened her first boutique in Paris. I want to visit this boutique and buy my first purse from the boutique in Paris, #goals. 

Chanel was able to stand out and gain recognition cause of her “casual sophistication” style portrayed by her knits. For women it was a new beginning to see these styles in a business casual sheak look, especially nearing WW1. Chanel even contributed her successes to WW1 saying that she “woke up famous in 1919”. 

Chanel had inexpensive options never before offered in luxurious clothing. Chanel used “humble” material in her jackets and sweaters which fostered a social change mentioned above. These loose fitting clothes brought a whole new meaning to casual style and forced the social change working towards a new reality for women.