‘She was the first good-looking couturier and because of her own strong look, everybody wanted to copy her. She was an artist who intellectualised couture for the first time,' explains Catherine Leterrier, costume designer of the exquisitely costumed film Coco Avant Chanel.
Legend has it Coco was preparing for a party and suddenly was inspired to cast off the traditional frou frou girly look for some male dominated pants. Myth has swelled to a point that she is now known as the first woman ever to wear pants.
"The fashion of that period was lovely, so it was difficult to show that Coco looked better than all these elegant women." - Catherine Leterrier
Coco Chanel's major influences were the introduction of menswear inspired pieces for women and the innovative use of jersey fabrics.
"she was her own muse", says Leterrier.
Part 3 of Coco Avant Chanel costumes coming soon.....