Reading Reflection No. 1: Coco Chanel

13A – Reading Reflection No. 1

Coco Chanel – An Intimate Life

I chose to read about the life and the success of Gabrielle (Coco) Channel. While I was familiar with the brand in today’s society, I had zero knowledge of what made the brand that so many people know and love today

1.)

Right from the start of the book I was surprised by Gabrielle’s untraditional lifestyle. Her father basically abandoned her and her siblings and much of her early life was spent in a convent. A think the most surprising thing was Gabrielle’s love life. Gabrielle was a live-in mistress, she captivated men and her promiscuity fostered a few famous love affairs. However, Gabrielle was not satisfied as a mistress. Not because she felt like she wanted to be married, but because she was restless and wanted to work. Her most admirable quality was her restlessness and her desire to work. Gabrielle did not conform to societal norms of women staying at home while their husbands, or in her case, her lovers, were at work. She yearned to keep busy and to have greater knowledge of many things. Personally, her least admirable quality was her promiscuity. While this quality gave Gabrielle an edge, her endeavors were not something of good character. Gabrielle faced adversity in her early childhood and in the early stages of her business. It is remarkable for someone who was born in such a low class to work their way into the riches of the upper-class. Perhaps this was luck, she happened to meet the right type of people, or perhaps this was the result of her determination to rise from the misfortunes of her childhood.

2.)

Gabrielle was very intelligent, this was a quality many people took note of, and this was one reason she had success in her business. Gabrielle was also not afraid to take risks, she did not conform to the standards of society, and thus created a brand that pushed boundaries. She was also an extremely hard worker, determined to succeed in her endeavors and to make a better life for  herself.

3.) I was a bit confused about her relationship with her family. I know she kept in touch with her aunt. But the book rarely mentioned the rest of her siblings, her grandparents or her father.

4.)

Gabrielle never married, and much of the biography discusses several of her love affairs. I think I would ask Ms.Chanel if she was satisfied with her life as a mistress. Gabrielle often seemed upset and restless. She was in love but never married or had children (there is a rumor that she had a child with one of her first lovers but this has never been confirmed). While Gabrielle enjoyed contesting social norms I wondered if she ever wished to have a traditional family.

My second question would be what she thought of her brand today. Chanel is a brand that so many people know and love. Her hat making business has boomed into a fashion empire with many loyal followers. Would Gabrielle be happy with what her company is today?

5.)

I think that Gabrielle enjoyed hard work because it brought her success. Before her business came to be, Gabrielle was trapped in a life that lacked substance. She often picked up hobbies such as horseback riding in order to keep busy. I think that hard work made Gabrielle feel fulfilled and through hard work she brought herself happiness.