CHANEL

COCO AND ART

(all text from a personal essay)

 Fernand Leger

Composition, 1920

French Vogue

Black Chanel dress, 1920

Reflection of change in Chanel’s designs mirrored Modernist art and its “common features that are recognizable as a style.” The sleek androgynous look Chanel promoted in Le Garconne echoed the “flat surfaces and straight lines” evident in Cubism as the artists of the day worked to gain an “understanding of objects in flat medium.” Art Deco too had “smooth geometric forms” which were reflected in Chanel’s waist less silhouette.

Ford Car, 1920

Even mechanized creations were linked with Chanel’s designs as on October 1,1926 American Vogue announced her little black dress to be “The Chanel Ford- the frock that all the world will wear.” This term was used to describe the comparison between Ford’s new metallic black car and Chanel’s little black dress.

THE LITTLE BLACK JACKET- CHANEL EXHIBITION

(all photographs by Karl Lagerfeld and styled by Carine Roitfeld)

 Milla Jovovich

 Carine Roitfeld

 Anna Wintour

 Joan Smalls

 Uma Thurman

Natalia Vodianova

Chanel owed much to the revolutionary progression occurring around her, but the majority of her success was thanks to her “magnetic personality and silver tongue.” Her pride was a reflection and result of her upbringing and the power she radiated was subsequently poured into her designs, symbolizing her “genius to liberate women.” She fully embodied her philosophy of comfort, simplicity, style and liberation as her design evolution mirrored her ever-increasing activities. In a direct reaction to all things that had come before her, Chanel reflected not only her complex personality in her designs, but also the artistic and socio-cultural revolutions in the twentieth century.  

THE LITTLE BLACK JACKET SITE