{Wikipedia} Gabrielle Bonheur "Coco" Chanel, photographed here in her apartment, was born a leo on August 19, 1883 in Samur, a region in the South of France. In 1923, she told Harper's Bazaar that "simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance." She was also quoted as saying "always take off the last thing you put on."Gabrielle was named 'Coco' during a brief career as a cafe singer. After a change of heart she chose to be a pioneering French fashion designer whose modernist philosophy, androgyny fashions and pursuit of expensive simplicity made her an important figure in 20th-century fashion.
Gabrielle had no breeding in the upper class but came to own 3 shops in the early 1900's during the pre-war era; 2 with the help of wealthy socialite, Arthur "Boy" Capel, with whom she fell in love.With his assistance, CoCo Chanel was able to acquire the property and financial backing to open her second, millinery {hat}, shop in Brittany France. During the World War I era she came to realize that women were supposed to dress for themselves and not their men.
In 1939, at the beginning of World War II, the designer closed her shops. She believed that it was not a time for fashion. She took up residence in the Hôtel Ritz Paris and for more than 30 years Chanel made this hotel her home, especially during the Nazi occupation of Paris.
She also maintained an apartment above her couture house at 31 Rue Cambon, Paris >>
circa 1937
and was known for building Villa La Pausa in Roquebrune on the French Riviera.
In 1945, Gabrielle moved to Switzerland; eventually, returning to Paris in 1954 the year she also returned to the fashion world.
The following are photographs of Chanel's 4 floor, Rue Cambon, apartment with Gabrielle standing in the enterance.
Here is the famous faceted mirrored spiral staircase Chanel designed so that no matter where Coco stood in the apt she could see what was happening on evey floor.
Gabrielle Coco Chanel died in Paris on January 10 1971, at the age of 88, in her private suite at the Hôtel Ritz. She was buried in Lausanne Switzerland. Her tombstone is carved with stone lion heads representing her love of collecting lions and her birth sign, Leo.
Look out for the
Coco-Before-Chanel Biopic set to be released in 2009. Chanel will be played be Audrey Tatu...another Leo.
Although mademoiselle Gabrielle Coco Chanel has passed; the Chanel legacy lives on forever. Karl Lagerfeld, who is also the epitome of cool, has been, the art director of Chanel since 1983, both for the haute couture and prêt-à-porter; he is now carrying the torch for Fashion Island called Isla Moda Dubai.
Coco & Jahmilla...
Representing for the Leo's
