I think I must have been maybe 12 years old when I found my mother’s copy of Vogue next to her bed. Since that time I became an avid reader of the fashion magazines. To me it wasn’t so much about the clothes, but about how the shoots were laid out, how it all came together, and why certain choices were made when it came to colors, fabrics, textures and accessories. I still love a September issue and I am eagerly awaiting the fall release of Coco Before Chanel starring Audrey Tautou.
The movie, produced by Anne Fontaine, spans the time of her life as Gabrielle Chanel from when she lost her father at an early age and was abandoned by her mother to early in her fashion career. She lived for seven years in a Catholic orphanage where she learned to sew, and she became nicknamed Coco while trying to become an actress before her career in fashion.
She lived in a suite at the Ritz in Paris for over thirty years, but her real home was three occupied floors above the Chanel shop at 31 Rue Cambon. Her apartment was on the third floor and has been frozen in time since 1971 when she died. It is a mix of old glamour and contemporary pieces. At a time when mixing pieces seemed out of vogue she ventured into her own territory of glamorous interior design that followed with much applause.
This staircase is four looping flights in which she could see all floors from any point.
The stairs as they were recreated for the set.
Recreated for the set on her famous suede sofa.
“Fashion is architecture: It is a matter of proportions”.
-Coco Chanel
Click here to watch the trailer. Pigtown-Design also let me know that today is Coco’s birthday.
Photo Credits: IMDB (1,2) Apartment pictures via venusnaturalis’ photostream on flickr (3,4,5,7,9,11), Brigitte Lacombe for Vanity Fair (8)
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Beautiful!! Let’s talk soon.
We shall be forever indebted to “Coco” for adding french flair to so many timeless classics, pearls, the open front cardigan jacket, and for the ability to mix. She introduced “knitwear” as a casual alternative to woven suiting. I love some of the classic black and white photos of her, she had such “moxie” and I just think of her as tenacious and fierce, in her pearls and gloves.
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Great post, Laura-so interesting!
It really is something to see the recreation for the set. I’m looking out for stags and more wheat
Fantastic post ,Laura.
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Hi Laura!
Loved this post! Coco Chanel Produced by Anne Fontaine??????!!!!! You just have to lookin my closet at the “need to be ironed section” to know I can’t wait fot this.!
I can’t wait to see that movie! Should be good, thanks for the preview!
Coco is the ultimate style icon. Can’t wait to see this film!
Fun! I admire her and always use Channel #5!
Maryruth