Jezebel: Coco Chanel

Coco Chanel Was Allegedly A Nazi Spy

Jenna Sauers — Thu, 18 Aug 2011 14:00:00 EDT

A new biography of Coco Chanel sheds more light on her wartime activities, and the house of Chanel seems to be bracing itself for backlash. What was ol' Gabrielle up to during World War II? Palling around with Nazis at the Ritz, basically — but the house of Chanel is denying that its founder and namesake spied for the German regime, and that she was actually anti-Semitic. Coco Chanel had an affair with Hans Gunther von Dincklage, a Nazi military intelligence officer and immediate subordinate of Joseph Goebbels, during World War II, and was close with Walter Schellenberg, the Nazi head of foreign intelligence; she also sought to wrest control of the Chanel company from her Jewish business partners, the Wertheimers, under the Nazi anti-Jewish ownership laws. (She failed because the Wertheimers had secretly transferred ownership of the company to a Christian prior to the Nazi invasion of France.) Coco Chanel lived in Switzerland for nine years after the war's end, in part to avoid prosecution as a collaborator; although her ties to various Nazi figures have long been well-known, the author of Sleeping with the Enemy: Coco Chanel's Secret War has added significant original research to our understanding of that period of her life. The book even makes the claim that Coco Chanel herself was a Nazi spy. Author Hal Vaughan says, "I was looking for something else and I come across this document saying 'Chanel is a Nazi agent, her number is blah, blah, blah and her pseudonym is Westminster.' I look at this again and I say, 'What the hell is this?' I couldn't believe my eyes! Then I really started hunting through all of the archives, in the United States, in London, in Berlin and in Rome and I come across not one, but 20, 30, 40 absolutely solid archival materials on Chanel and her lover, Baron Hans Gunther von Dincklage, who was a professional Abwehr spy." Modern-day Chanel's response? "She would hardly have formed a relationship with the family of the owners or counted Jewish people among her close friends and professional partners such as the Rothschild family, the photographer Irving Penn or the well-known French writer Joseph Kessel had these really been her views." So, basically, she had Jewish friends. Chanel also denies that Coco Chanel spied for the Nazi regime, calls the timing of her relationship with Dincklage "unfortunate" but points out that his mother was English (as though that mattered), and asserts that she approached Winston Churchill about "acting as an intermediary between the Allies and the Germans for a peace settlement known as Operation Modelhut." That makes Operation Modelhut sound pretty benign, but the truth is a lot more complicated; the Times of London called Operation Modelhut a "Nazi plot" that was to use Coco Chanel as "bait." [Vogue UK] More »

The 12 Best Johnny Weir Quotes Of All Time

Dodai Stewart — Mon, 16 Aug 2010 17:12:00 EDT

The best thing about Johnny Weir? Not his skating, his artfully coiffed hair, or his unabashed love of Chanel. It's his ability to create instant soundbites. Weir has a gift for spouting insane, enjoyable, marvelous proclamations. More »

Photoshop Crackdown Discussed In U.K.

Jenna Sauers — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 11:34:00 EDT

"Children and young women should be informed about airbrushing, so they don't fall victim to looking at an image and thinking that anyone can have a 12in waist. It is so not possible," said Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone. [Guardian]

Heidi Without Makeup; Posh To Outfit Beyoncé?

Jenna Sauers — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 11:30:00 EDT

Heidi Klum, one of five models including Jessica Stam to make People's Most Beautiful list this year, poses for the tabloid in a so-hot-right-now makeup-free shot. [HuffPo]
The Kardashian sisters have added bikinis to their trashy Bebe line-o'-knockoffs. [People]

Australians Can't Get Enough Of Blackface

Jenna Sauers — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 16:20:00 EST

Today in fashionable racism, we have: An Australian magazine with a familiar-looking cover, and a Karl Lagerfeld-directed movie that features heavily made up European models in Chinese roles. How very The Mask Of Fu Manchu. More »

Supermodel In Abusive Relationship; Leona Lewis Doing A Clothing Line

Jenna Sauers — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 11:40:00 EST

A friend of Daul Kim who IM'd with the model the night before Kim was found dead in her Paris apartment says that Kim complained of feeling depressed, and was in an abusive relationship. But she was scared to leave:

Rachel Zoe's (Mostly Inaccurate) Overuse Of "Literally"

Tracie Egan Morrissey — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:00:00 EDT

On last night's Rachel Zoe Project, the team (minus Taylor) went to Paris fashion week, where Rachel "literally" felt like dying and "literally" felt like "a cow about to moo." She also went shopping (duh) and toured Coco Chanel's apartment. More »

Coco May Be Set Too Far Before Chanel

Margaret Hartmann — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 18:30:00 EDT

Coco May Be Set Too Far Before Chanel" alt="Click here to read Coco May Be Set Too Far Before Chanel" src="http://cache.jezebel.com/assets/images/39/2009/09/coco925.jpg"/>

Critics say Coco Before Chanel, which comes out today, is an unusual biopic in that it focuses solely on who Coco Chanel was before she became famous. Some say it ends too soon, before revealing what made her a legend. More »

Karl Thinks Feminists Are "Ugly"; Posh Spice Gives Up On Armani

Jenna Sauers — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 11:30:00 EDT

For the September issue of Harper's Bazaar, the magazine interviewed Karl Lagerfeld, speaking as Coco Chanel. In character, the Grand Teuton shared such idiotic reflections as: "I was never a feminist because I was never ugly enough for that." [FWD]

Alicia Wants You To Buy Her "Stuff"; Marc's Outré New Campaign Raises Eyebrows

Jenna Sauers — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 11:30:00 EDT

At last, a celebrity with a realistic outlook on her whatever-line: "Unless you need it, it's just stuff," says Alicia Silverstone of her collaboration with Ecotools. [WWD]

Kristen Stewart Pregnancy Rumors; Michael's Star-Studded Memorial

Dodai Stewart — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 09:00:00 EDT

Oy (Oi?): An Australian tabloid is claiming that Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson are "in turmoil" because Kristen is pregnant with the sparkle vamp's spawn.

Chanel Preview - Now With Subtitles!

Sadie Stein — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:45:00 EDT

We were psyched enough to just look at the costumes in the Coco Avant Chanel preview...but now we get to read for ourselves how defiant and sassy and modern pre-WWII movie-magic Coco was! [New York via Elle] More »

Estée Lauder Face Kept Beautiful With Eucerin; Two Supermodels Reportedly Sperminated

TatianaTheAnonymousModel — Tue, 26 May 2009 11:40:00 EDT

Hilary Rhoda: Estée Lauder spokesmodel with a thing for drugstore makeup. A woman after our own hearts. [Daily Beast]
In other news from model-land, Adriana Lima might be pregnant. [NYDN]
Also said to be expecting: Gisele Bundchen. [NYDN]
And sources say Kate Moss could be birthing a "novel." [Sun]

Someone Is Cuckoo For Coco

Anna Holmes — Wed, 06 May 2009 17:50:00 EDT

[Rome, May 6. Image via Bauer-Griffin]

Coco Avant Chanel Poster Banned In Paris

TatianaTheAnonymousModel — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:20:00 EDT

Coco Avant Chanel Poster Banned In Paris" alt="Click here to read Coco Avant Chanel Poster Banned In Paris" src="http://cache.jezebel.com/assets/images/39/2009/04/coco_avant_chanel_smoking.jpg"/>

France has a law against depicting smoking in advertising — so to avoid prosecution, the company that sells ads on Parisian public transportation banned a poster featuring Audrey Tautou as Coco Chanel holding a cigarette. More »

"Do You Really Think A Something Something Is Going To Marry Himself With A Girl Like You?

Dodai Stewart — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 17:20:00 EDT

What happens when you get a high school freshman with passing knowledge of introductory French to translate the trailer for Coco Avant Chanel, starring Audrey Tautou? Faux-Français! Clip embedded after the jump. [Videogum] More »

Cuckoo For Coco

Sadie Stein — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 18:15:00 EDT

You don't need to understand French to see that in this preview for Coco Avant Chanel, Audrey Tautou has a date with fashion destiny, a series of awesome period costumes. [YouTube via New York] More »

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand (Offensive) Words To Designer Duncan Quinn

Sadie Stein — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 11:30:00 EST

Remind the world to never buy a Duncan Quinn suit. Unless, I guess, you know someone who's about to strangle a scantily-clad woman on the hood of a fucking car. [Feministe, via NY Mag]

Urban Outfitters Pulls Prop 8 Tee; Continues To Sell Crap

Sadie Stein — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 11:30:00 EST

Pseudo-alt schlockmeisters Urban Outfitters have pulled a tee from their California stores bearing the words "I Support Same Sex Marriage," while presumably continuing to carry shirts that say "Lebowski 08." Urban remains unrepentant. [Racked]
Can you stand it? Probably: Now you can see the full ten minutes of Karl Lagerfeld's silent treatment of Coco Chanel! [Fashionologie]
Okay, maybe you can stand that, but what about this: Mariah Carey has selected the fan's dress design that best captures the spirit of her new fragrance, "Luscious Pink!" [ET Online]
Grateful Dead Converse premiere. University of Vermont rejoices! [Telegraph]
Still standing? Well, clearly you haven't heard about Nicole Richie's trip to Moscow with the Russian Peaches Geldof! [WWD]

Haute Cinema

Sadie Stein — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:30:00 EST

We've been intrigued by reports of Karl Lagerfeld's silent movie tribute to Chanel since we heard about it, and this sneak peek makes it look bizarrely awesome. The film chronicles the love affair of a young Coco Chanel (played by model Edita Vikeviciute) and Duke Dimitri Pavlovich, in authentic 20s style. The full short will be shown in Paris this week alongside Chanel's Paris-Moscow pre-fall 2009 collection. Click the image to see a clip. [Fashion Week Daily via YouTube] More »

Now It's Just Getting Weird: People Want Malia And Sasha's Clothes

Sadie Stein — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 11:30:00 EST

People are desperate to buy Malia Obama's Biscotti Inc. frock; sadly, it's sold out. [WSJ]
The same weirdos can probably still find Sasha's black Gerson & Gerson Inc. babydoll, however. [WSJ]
Dsquared2's costumes for Usher's tour kinda make him look like Carlton Banks. [FashionWeekDaily]
Playboy kicks off its fragrance collection. “We launched four fragrances because we wanted to capture the multiplicity of the Playboy guy.” The colognes are meant to be “emblematic of four American cities where the playboy lifestyle is played to its fullest.” That is: Hollywood; Las Vegas; Malibu, Calif., and Miami." Retirement communities, presumably. [WWD]
Katy Perry, the newest fashion icon? Please, no. [VogueUK]

Notable/Quotable

Dodai Stewart — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 10:45:00 EDT

Shirley MacLaine is playing Coco Chanel in a Lifetime movie airing Saturday, and in a new interview, the actress reveals her admiration for the legendary designer. "She was tough and she never backed down," MacLaine says. "She never married. She was rude, hurtful. Many men were in love with her — though I don't know why, because she was impossible. She was 73 when she got so popular, and she was always reinventing herself. I like that." As for MacLaine's personal style, she claims: "I like senior-forgiving sloppy pants. I still wear sweat suits. I look like a real bag lady when I go to Starbucks with my dog and get my chai. I am so grateful that I now have a small hunk of Chanel wardrobe from the film that will go anywhere." There are a few other gems from this interview, click the picture for more! [LA Times] More »

Rihanna Is Cuckoo For Coco

Dodai Stewart — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:15:00 EDT

Newly-Engaged Daniel Craig Sobs For His Suits

Jennifer — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 11:30:00 EST

"It's really a crime - it makes me weep every time." Daniel Craig, on having to get his Tom Ford suits dirty while filming James Bond movies. [Vogue UK]

Hookers, Victims & Doormats

Anna — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 09:45:00 EST

Hollywood's most famous reincarnated superstar (and inspiration for this very feature), Shirley MacLaine, is set to star as none other than Coco Chanel, reports Variety. MacLaine, 73, "will play the designer in her later years, as she set out to re-establish her reputation as a fashion trendsetter" in a Lifetime miniseries on the legendary French designer's life that will cover everything from Chanel's upbringing in an orphanage to her re-invention in her 70s. (Shirley is playing the "older" Coco, natch.) "It's a love story, it's a rags to riches story, it has some strong statements about women and about how the world has changed," the film's director, Christian Duguay, says, adding that Chanel head designer Karl Lagerfeld is helping on the production. Which means, invariably, that the finished product will end up being 90% Karl and 10% Coco, just like the Chanel exhibit at the Costume Institute a few years back! [Variety] More »

Since taking over the venerable French fashion...

Jennifer — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 17:45:00 EDT

Since taking over the venerable French fashion house founded by Coco Chanel in 1909, "Krazy" Kraut Karl Lagerfeld has deconstructed and reconfigured iconic Chanel looks, adding a punk edge to shapes that would otherwise be, well, too classic. This is a label all about flaunting it — and flaunting it better than anyone else. The spring/summer 2008 collection, shown today in Paris, has a distinctly sporty edge to it. The day dresses are the kind that you aren't supposed to run around in, but of course totally could (and should); the footwear is ruggedly-shaped boots done up in metallics with macrame accents; and then... there were the denim bikinis. Gallery below. (All images via Getty.) More »

Life's too short to eat.

eurotrash — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 07:57:26 EST

If you really like purses, and we mean really really REALLY like purses, then head on over to The Purse Blog, which declares frighteningly accurately that 'Shallow Obssessing [is] Strongly Encouraged'. More »