"In the beginning was Coco, and Coco was fashion, and Coco said to the multitude, fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street; fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.
And the clothes that were elegant were the garments made by Coco, who is Chanel. The cardigans, belted and unbelted, the cardigan coat and day dress, the day dress in beige jersey, the black jersey two-piece evening dress, the evening dresses in white silk net and black Chantilly lace, and in red silk also, to be worn with shoes of red silk and gold piping.
And the suit of tweed, herringbone, or bouclé, with edgings of contrasting jersey or braid, and the quilted lining of silk, and the blouse of silk that matches the lining, and the skirt that is neither long nor short, but perfect in the eyes of the stylish.
And inside the garments made by Coco, who is Chanel, all is beautiful, a sight to behold, because elegance means a thing's as beautiful on the wrong side as on the right, and luxurious is a garment that is pretty whether it is buttoned or unbuttoned.
And then Coco, who is Chanel, said art is imperfection, disorder is the symbol of luxury. But the garments that issued from the palace at Cambon were perfect in the eyes of all who had eyes to see them, and the multitude declared Coco a great artist, and she said, you do not understand, I am a dressmaker."
— Karen Karbo, The Gospel According to Coco Chanel (avec la photo de mon ami Man Ray)
PS: Not to fear; The Gospel According to Coco Chanel also included a whole chapter on the obvious importance of not hooking up with Nazis.
]]>
