Two Cs are always better than one, so Chanel is pretty much as good as it gets when it comes to haute couture.
Creating one icone after the other, all stamped with the brand’s double C logo, the French fashion house is one I’ve always been fascinated about.
So after watching hours of documentary and movies, there was no way on Earth I’d miss the Mademoiselle Privé exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery.
Early on Saturday morning, I met my friend Ilaria on Sloane Square.
Coffee in one hand and smartphone in the other, I was ready for a journey through the origins of Chanel‘s creations.
My jaw dropped as we entered the building and pretty much stayed down there the whole time.
The enchanted journey through the house’s creativity first took us through a reconstitution of Coco Chanel‘s iconic apartment and shop of 21 rue Cambon.
In the next room, black and white drawings give some insight into the brand’s first steps.
From the world-famous logo combining two interlaced Cs and a wheat pattern…
…to Mademoiselle Coco’s inspiration for the sportive, casual chic clothing she was the first to make popular.
Quickly after this, the brand grew in popularity and turned towards high fashion, but Chanel’s influence quickly extended far beyond couture clothing.
In 1920, Gabrielle Chanel commissioned the creation of a perfume to Russian-French chemist and perfumer Ernest Beaux.
Mademoiselle Coco always had potent association for the number 5, so when presented with small glass vials containing sample scent compositions numbered 1 to 5 and 20 to 24 for her assessment, she chose the fifth vial and decided to let this sample number five keep the name it has already “for good luck”.
Chanel no. 5 has been chosen as a signature scent by millions of modern, elegant women ever since.
In 1932, Coco Chanel also designed her first and only jewellery collection, “Bijoux de Diamants“.
My favourite part of the Mademoiselle Privé exhibition though? The one focusing on the the House’s essential symbols.
The Camellia flower and the pearls.
The Venitian Moor.
The Black Line.
The Wheat.
The golden chain and, more recently, Greek pop.
Just as iconic are Chanel’s signature ‘petite veste’ tweet and knowledge of tailoring.
But the part all of London’s fashionista made a beeline for?
The gorgeous gowns of course!
Rows after rows of sublime, black lace creations.
With a bit of bling and feather here and there…
And how gorgeous is this hand-embroidered beauty? ?
It was only fitting we finished our visit by paying our respect to the very people who created that golden wonder; the Ateliers Lessage.
We didn’t get to experience their know-how first hand but spend quite a while starring at those who did!
If you’re as interested in fashion and its history as I am, you absolutely MUST go see Mademoiselle Privé. It’ll be at the Saatchi gallery until November 1st and it’s every inch as classy and fabulous as it says on the box!
Cake and Whisky 