Inside Coco Chanel

This video shot inside Chanel’s private apartment above her Rue Cambon boutique is better than most I’ve seen, there are some really cool shots of the  objects inside and its fascinating to see how these things influenced her designs.

And this is a two part French interview from 1969; this was only two years before her death and she is quite elderly (age 86); however she’s pretty feisty nonetheless.   There are no subtitles so I have no idea what she’s talking about, but one point her eyes well up with tears;  from what I’ve read vulnerability was a not a trait associated with her so it’s pretty remarkable to see this on film .  The interview also cuts away to her 1969 collections and the soundtrack is, of all things sitar music  (well it was the late 60’s after all.)    In those days couture shows were not the multimedia extravaganzas we expect from Fashion week, they are much low key as you will see.

Part I

Part II

Here she exits from her Ritz Carlton suite and walks across the street to work at Chanel.  I love the little kids running around on the street; passersby ignore her so she must have been a daily sight.   Part II shows her 1970 collection, just a year before her death.  I hope I’m that spry when I’m her age!  There is a runway show here too.    Who is the rock star in fop suit and fur hat??  I wonder if its Brian Jones or Jim Morrison. I love the chain necklaces with brooches attached that pin at the waist or hip; I’d love to see what KL would do with that idea.