5 must-watch films on Coco Chanel

On 19 January 1971, Coco Chanel passed away in her room at the Ritz. The fashion world lost one of is most important figures, who created an empire: the couture house of Chanel, cleverly carried on by the genius of Karl Lagerfeld. A free romantic, avid philantrophist, and liberator of women… The designer lived a thousand lives, propelled by her non-conformist drive. A woman with an extraordinary destiny, and an inspiration for cinema and television. Vogue has chosen 5 unmissable films on the Grande Mademoiselle.

Coco Before Chanel (2008)

Tracing her childhood to her first steps as a couturier in Paris and the birth of her couture house, Anne Fontaine's biopic Coco Before Chanel modestly revisits Gabrielle Chanel's romantic life, which influenced her work and love stories. Audrey Tautou gracefully embodies the Grande Mademoiselle, who liberated women's bodies with her refined, straight-cut garments. The French director decided to focus on Coco's life before her glory, perhaps the most interesting period for those who wish to understand the woman behind the fashion figure. She depicts an injured woman, bruised by her neglected childhood and tragic romances. An elegant and touching movie, just like Coco.

Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky (2009)

Paris, 1920. The name Coco Chanel is on everyone's lips. Wealthy Parisians frequent the boutique on 5 Rue Cambon to discover refined and feminine designs with the double C stamp. Behind the scenes, the designer is shattered by the loss of her lover, Boy Capel, who died in a December 1919 car accident. She meets composer Igor Stravinsky, who divided critics with his The Rite of Spring, presented at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées a few years earlier. Fascinated by the artist's charisma and personality, who fled the Russian Revolution, Coco Chanel decides to move him, his wife, and children, into her Villa de Garches, before becoming his mistress. Director Jan Kounen focuses on this passionate liaison in his beautiful film Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky, in which Anna Mouglalis and Mads Mikkelsen play this genius and egotistical couple.

The Return (2013)

Presented in December 2013 at the opening of the Chanel Métiers d'Art 2013/2014 collection show, named Paris-Dallas, this short film directed by Karl Lagerfeld revisits the Paris reopening of the Chanel couture house in 1954 — after Coco's Swiss exile, who had fled the Occupation and the rumors… — and notably emphasizes the United States' crucial role in her comeback. In front of Karl Lagerfeld's camera, Géraldine Chaplin brilliantly embodies the designer on her return trip, as malicious as always and determined to reign again over Parisian fashion. Framed by commentary and testimonies from actors and other personalities, from Rupert Everett to Anna Mouglalis and Sam McKnight, The Return is an unmissable short film.

Once Upon A Time (2013)

On 9 May 2013, Chanel presented its Resort 2013-2014 collection in Singapore, 100 years after the opening of Gabrielle Chanel's first boutique in Deauville. For the occasion, Karl Lagerfield directed a short film dedicated to the first years of the couture house. In the role of the young Coco Chanel is British actress and loyal Chanel fan Keira Knightley. Alongside her are Clotilde Hesme, and the models Stella Tennant, Lindsey Wixon, Jamie Bochert, and Caroline de Maigret. 

Coco Chanel (2008)

In 2008, a very well-constructed but heavily criticized television film retraced the rise of Gabrielle Chanel, from her childhood to her final days. At the twilight of her life, Coco reflects on her glory, her failures, her romances, and her encounters. Played by the great Shirley MacClaine, the Grand Mademoiselle is brought to life through quixotic flashbacks, some of which are little known.

Also on Vogue.fr:
The best Chanel outfits in cinema
10 legendary quotes from Coco Chanel
Gabrielle Chanel's iconic style in 15 images\

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Translated by Ella Jones