Chanel brand

What’s the latest Chanel gossip on the Net?

That she was a Nazi spy.  Everyone knows she had a lover who worked for the Nazi as a PR man. But people remain divided on if she actively worked for the Germans, or was just in love with one.

Simplicity and cheekiness were apparently Chanel’s mark. But wasn’t it more to do with her show-womanship as much as her talent?

Yes, absolutely. In fact, Chanel was only a so-so seamstress. What she was a genius at was articulating her vision.

It’s true Chanel was a savvy businesswoman. But isn’t it also true her financial independence was through men in her life financing her projects in exchange for bed favours? So she wasn’t entirely “self-made.”

No one’s a perfect role model. Chanel certainly wasn’t perfect. It’s true she had a wealthy lover named Boy Capel, who financed her first shop in Biarritz. But having someone back you, (and it should be noted men trying to start business also often have backers — that’s what venture capitalists are), is no guarantee of success. With luck and will, Chanel turned her single shop into a worldwide empire. I’m sure many men footed the bill for their women’s interests. They don’t become Coco Chanel. At any rate, the moment she turned a profit, Chanel paid Boy Capel back in full.

Had she used a lot of Indian textiles and designs?

Funny you should ask. At the beginning of December 2011, Karl Lagerfeld opened his Paris-Bombay Metiers d’Art in Paris. This annual show honours button-makers, hat-makers, embroideries and other artisans who contribute to the high craftsmanship of the Chanel brand.  This particular show highlighted the “artisanal work” of India. There were silk gowns cut like saris. Dresses and suits with dazzling India-inspired embroidery.