"Fashion Changes but style endures" Coco Chanel
Even if you aren't in to designer labels, there are names you just know, like Chanel, Gucci, Dior and for my birthday, Mr H and I went to see the Chanel exhibition at the V and A. I've been to enough classic car shows, military tank museums to feel no guilt at all about spending a whole day looking at beautiful dresses and it was well worth it! The exhibition is the first Chanel display in the UK and showed more than 200 looks dating from the 1910s to 1971. The style created by Gabrielle Chanel, the characteristics of her work, her codes and her contribution to the history of fashion, is all laid out absolutely beautifully in a museum full of treasure.
Coco Chanel was born on August 19, 1883, in Saumur, France. She didn't have a fairytale childhood. When her mother died, her father dropped her off at an orphanage and she worked in the laundry. Her first jobs were as a seamstress during the day and a club singer at night. However her first shop opened in 1910 and she sold hats. Post World War I, Chanel became famous for her sporty, casual style clothing for women including handbags, jewellery and shoes. Chanel's style was famous without the need for corsets, it was a much simpler style, more comfortable and less expensive, without compromising on style.
You have Coco Chanel to thank for that go-to black dress, she made it cool in the 1920s saying that black was the ultimate in chic, perfect for any occasion. Her suits were all about empowering women and those knee-length skirts and collarless jackets were fancy but not stuffy and gave women a whole new level of sophistication. Co0 Chanel also made tweed her thing. She took that rough, old-school fabric and turned it in to something chic. Her tweed jackets were a hit with snazzy detailing and gold buttons, both of which just screamed class, did you also realise that she brought those quilted handbags to life?
I can't talk about Coco Chanel without talking about her jewellery. Her jewellery was sparkly but it wasn't expensive. Coco Chanel made jewellery accessible to everyone by promoting costume jewellery. It was costume jewellery that was elegant and sophisticated, even if the ingredients weren't. She used faux pearls which hung in long strands, crystals and glass as well as her iconic back to back Cs. Her pieces were like little treasures that added that extra 'je ne sais quoi' to any outfit, whether it was a simple blouse or a glamorous evening gown. She was also the queen of layers- Coco knew how to mix and match her jewelry to create a look that was uniquely chic - it made women feel they were worth a fortune.
Above all, Coco was all about keeping it real. She ditched the frills and fuss for clean lines and comfy clothes. Her mantra was simple: be classy, be comfy, and always stay fabulous.She's proof that style never goes out of fashion, no matter how many years fly by.
