"You don't have a second chance to make a first impression," she said.
On the eve of the great Coco Chanel's birthday, let's review the golden rules of her style and fashion life.
I don't do fashion, I am fashion. – Coco Chanel (I don't do pop, I'm pop. – Coco Chanel)
Female legend
Coco Chanel, also known as Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, was born in Saumur, France, in 1883. French fashion designer and founder of the Chanel brand.
There are probably dozens of books and movies in the world, hundreds of articles to study and quote: what they call Coco Chanel, they don't talk about anyone.
About the legendary perfume No. 5, the importance of a small black dress, an elegant tweed suit and a quilted bag on a chain, the first thing to learn for any girl who wants to join the world of haute couture.
Gabriel's ideas for fashion were formed in childhood. She spent nearly seven years in the monastery, where she began to be inspired by classical Baroque style and luxury. There her love for the black and white range formed. Until the age of 16, the girl wore a black suit. In the future, black in her images is no longer associated with mourning - from her hands, it is considered one of the most elegant and elegant shades.
Queen of Black
The fashion icon himself loves beads, earrings, brooches, hats and bags. The latter is not just her addiction, but the real rules of fashion. Designers claim that women in wardrobes should have as many bags as clothing.
Gabrielle Chanel and her famous bags, have become legendary
Chanel left behind not only the Chanel brand, but hundreds of sparkling quotes, here are the 13 great commandments that still apply today.
The 13 golden rules of coco chanel style
1. Classic
Coco proclaims very simple but important values. She did not go with the flow, but always chose the restrained trend, that is, the classic.
"Focus on originality – in women's fashion, originality leads to trends," Gabriel said.
Her image is simple and elegant clothes with a slight touch of fashion novelty, but vice versa.
2. Black dress
The black dress is the calling card of Coco Chanel and her fashion house. Once upon a time, it became a truly fashionable salvation.
The first prototype black dress had a straight cut, a length that covered the knees, a semicircular neckline below the throat and long sleeves. To date, the number of variations of dresses has increased considerably, but it is still listed as the standard for sophistication and style.
3. Medium length
It was Coco Chanel who created the "golden ratio" of clothing length. In the 60s of the last century, there was a fashion for long clothes - this was for many reasons, including social ones. But it is not integrated with the commercial rhythm of urban social life.
In fact, medium and "normal" lengths become the best choice between skirts that drag on the floor and skirts that slightly cover the hips. It is still popular today.
"Short skirts are more fashionable than long skirts," the fashion designer said.
Amar Clooney wears Chanel.
4. Male elements
Coco managed to accomplish the impossible. She was one of the first to wear pants, believing that the ideal image should combine not only women, but also the masculine elements in the wardrobe.
At that moment, she was inspired by the typical post-war soldier image. Chanel said confidently: "Pants make women free."
Chanel Spring/Summer 1998
5. Tweed costumes
"Nothing makes a woman look older than a suit."
Perhaps it was from these words that began the history of the tweed jacket.
In Chanel's time, suits were very popular, but made all models seem cramped and restricted. It was Gabriel who set off the fashion revolution and made the girls fit their bodies softly and perfectly.
She designed a tweed suit
The prototype of the famous jacket is a straight cut, without a collar and with hidden pockets. The colors are mainly basic: white, black and beige.
6. Pearl accessories
Legends in the fashion industry believe that there is not a woman in the world who is not suitable for pearl accessories. Her favorite accessory is pearl beads that have been wrapped around her neck several times. They can reach a meter long. Another passion of Gabriel is pearls in elegant earrings.
According to the designer, jewelry made from pearls can complicate any garment – even an ordinary shirt. She gives the same advice to all clients: "Pearls are always right.
"When choosing accessories, don't choose the last one!" This is another fashionable commandment.
Pearls are Chanel's favorite accessory.
7. Long strap bag
"The bag should be placed on the strap so that the hands can be free,"
She created the famous compact Chanel flap bag that is comfortable to carry on her shoulder.
During those years, her ideas quickly lost their meaning. But in 2005, Karl Lagerfeld revived it and brought it into the design of long bags. Today, there is hardly a fashionista who does not have a bag of one kind or another in their wardrobe.
The famous Chanel bag. Shape and size, has become a classic.
8. Two-tone shoes
Chanel ended up monochromatic black shoes. She introduced a new fashion rule: shoes can and should combine several colors. Her favorite pairing is black and white. It was Gabriel who first mixed these two colors in his shoes, introducing the famous white shoes with a black cape into the fashion world.
The designer called the second person of the shoe and never ignored this property of the shoe. She said:
"If a woman wears good shoes, then she is well dressed.
Perfume is not just perfume, but an extension of clothing. Sometimes five drops of good perfume are enough to give you "darling" status.
The right choice of perfume can say more than words or presence, because even after you leave, the scent remains.
"Perfume, talk about a woman better than her handwriting" is a legendary quote from the legendary French fashion designer.
Are you a fan or admirer of Chanel's #5 perfume?
10. Pencil skirt
Throughout her life, Gabriel sincerely believed that the knee was the ugliest part of a woman's body.
"You can show your hips – but not your knees!" The designer said.
Based on her principles, she created the famous pencil skirt that emphasizes femininity while not restricting movement. According to Gabriel, few women can wear short skirts.
11. White and black
"Women think of all colors, except for the lack of them. Black has it all. White too. Their beauty is absolute. It's a perfect harmony," the great fashion designer believes.
Black and white clothing is a combination of luxury and practicality. Such an image can always be complemented by bright accessories, status jewelry, and an alluring aroma.
12. "Boyish" hairstyles
The uniqueness of Chanel's contribution is that she influenced not only the change of clothing, but fashion as a whole. Her love of the union of men and women has given the world a new understanding of hairstyles.
Gabriel literally "allows" models to stay boyish hairstyles. At the same time, it was always clear to her that the difference between a boy and a lady is impeccable grooming.
"A woman who changes her hairstyle is a woman who changes her life" is another principle of Coco.
13. Comfort and luxury
In clothing, Chanel insisted on an important idea: luxury should be soft and comfortable, otherwise it will no longer be a luxury. She never creates things for the sake of trends, relying only on things that her clients will feel free and natural.
The designer explains her approach this way:
"Fashion has two goals: convenience and love. When fashion achieves these goals, beauty arises.
Cocoa's fashion principles
Despite new trends, the main features of Chanel's style remain the same.
- Minimalist colors: No flashy, appealing or overloaded tones and prints. There may be one accent detail in the image, but no more than five.
- A black dress that never goes out of style.
- The skirt is the basis of the classic style. You can wear a pencil skirt with black or sheer tights.
- The men's element that thoroughly dilutes the lightness of women's wardrobes are tweed jackets, vests, pants on wide belts.
- The number of decorations is moderate.
- Clothing should not be overloaded with details.
- Clothing should be both elegant and comfortable – that's the unshakable rule.
- Only the calves, neck and hands can be opened. The rest should be carefully dressed beautifully.
Hailey Bieber and Chanel.
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