Chanel...the Couturière at Work

“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only; fashion is something in the air.  It’s the wind that blows in the new fashion, you feel it coming, you smell it.  Fashion is in the sky, in the street,  fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” ...Chanel

 I am a huge fan of Coco Chanel's little black dresses and her trademark suits, but it wasn't until I read Chanel, The Couturière at Work, that I realized just how far back in "fashion time" she actually began her career.  I was surprised to discover that she first started out by trimming and designing hats in the early 1900's.

This fascinating book written by Amy De La Haye and Shelley Tobin, published by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, describes Chanel's work, saying, “In the years around World War I Gabrielle Chanel challenged the world of fashion head on.  Jersey fabrics, easy to wear garments often based on mens’ sportwear, showy paste jewellery and the little black dress are just a few of her innovations that have become fashion staples.  Other books have dwelt on Chanel’s tempestuous private life.  Here, for the first time, the focus is on Chanel the couturière, her innovations and the immense influence she has had on the way women choose to look in the modern world.  The story is brought up to 1994 in the final chapter based on an interview with Karl Lagerfeld."

Costumes de Jersey, by Chanel, from Les Elegances Parisiennes, March 1917

Chanel's beaded and embroidered silk evening dress, 1922

Red silk evening dress, early 1920's and matching silk shoes

 

Chanel wearing her signature costume jewellery in 1928

 Chanel photographed in 1929 wearing a straw cloche hat

 Portrait of Chanel at work in her studio, 1937-1938

 Chanel beach outfit, 1930's

Portrait of Chanel by Lipnitzki, 1936

Portrait of Chanel by Roger Schall, 1938

Portrait of Chanel by Francois Kollar, 1937

 Cocktail dress, 1958

 

 'This Year's suit', 1959

 

Chanel Brooch in Renaissance style made of gilt metal set with faux gemstones

 The timeless appeal of Chanel

Karl Lagerfeld, 1991

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