In this blog post, we revisit how one woman became a legend who changed an era through the film ‘Coco Before Chanel’.
Although the film Coco Before Chanel wasn’t a box office success, I couldn’t pass it by because Coco Chanel was a fashion designer I deeply admired. The fact that it was a film about her life was intriguing enough, and it became an opportunity to revisit her journey as both a person and a designer. The film’s brief plot is as follows: Coco Chanel, who dreamed of being a singer, worked as a seamstress and sang at cafes at night. Through a man, she gained entry into high society, where she met Arthur Capel, who profoundly influenced her life. Thanks to his unwavering support, Coco opened a hat and clothing shop. Her unique vision—designing beautiful yet comfortable clothes—brought her great success. However, after experiencing failed love and life’s many storms, she met a lonely end as a woman.
One disappointment while watching this film was its focus on Coco Chanel’s life as a woman rather than her achievements as a designer. While her personal story is important, I felt the exploration of her equally significant design world lacked depth. However, the film certainly holds great significance as it prompted me to revisit her fashion philosophy and design world. So, this time, I want to write about my own thoughts on Coco Chanel, independent of the film’s plot.
Coco Chanel is the fashion designer who founded the world-renowned luxury brand ‘Chanel’. Icons like the ‘Chanel No.5’ perfume and the chain shoulder bag, familiar to almost everyone, have become symbols of the brand. The name Chanel transcends being just a fashion brand; it has become a cultural icon. So what made her so indelibly etched in the minds of people worldwide? While the perfume and bags that made her name are certainly part of the reason, more crucial is the ‘design revolution’ she sparked.
Originally a milliner, Coco Chanel began venturing into women’s clothing design around 1915. This shift came about because the success of her millinery shop led aristocratic ladies to request she design their dresses as well. At the time, women’s fashion featured corsets that excessively cinched the waist and pushed the bust upward. While these garments might have satisfied aesthetic standards, they had a detrimental effect on women’s health. Deformed ribs and organ damage were common, and dresses with overly elaborate decorations severely restricted the wearer’s mobility.
Coco Chanel set out to liberate women from these uncomfortable garments, pursuing simple yet practical designs. One of her most iconic creations was the ‘Chanel Suit’. This suit used jersey fabric, unheard of in women’s wear at the time, to enhance mobility, and shortened the skirt length from the traditional floor-length design to around the knee. This change was warmly welcomed by women, and Chanel’s designs remain beloved to this day because they offered convenience without sacrificing elegance.
Furthermore, Coco Chanel contributed to changing the very concept of fashion. She designed clothes that prioritized the wearer’s life and freedom, not merely clothes for beauty’s sake. This was a highly innovative idea at the time and played a crucial role in establishing the fundamental concepts of modern fashion. Her famous quote, “Fashion fades, but style remains,” continues to inspire many people today.
In this way, Coco Chanel’s design philosophy did not dwell solely on outward beauty but prioritized the wearer’s comfort and freedom. That is why her work transcends its era and remains beloved worldwide to this day. While watching Coco Before Chanel, though the film’s focus on her life felt somewhat lacking, my admiration for the design legacy she left behind deepened. Chanel’s influence remains deeply ingrained in our lives and will continue to hold its place for years to come.
