Were only human...

"""Those Grand Dukes were all the same – they looked marvelous but there was nothing behind. Green eye, fine hands and shoulders, peace-loving timorous. They drank so as not to be afraid. They were tall and handsome and splendid, but behind it all – nothing just vodka and the void” (Picardie 128).

Chanel was only human, and all caught up in all the glitz of life I found that Chanel really stuck to who she was. I absolutely love this quote found about the middle of the biography. Naturally, as society would see, Dukes to be grand and “perfect” however; I felt a real connection with Chanel. Chanel didn’t believe it, nor do I… no one is perfect. People do have problems, fears and obstacles in life, but with a perfect image set there comes huge responsibilities. On the other hand at that time and age Alcohol was presented for guests, and void. As a reminder it was the time of WWII in which there was depression as well.

In saying so, this quote also proves my previous point; Chanel was human even behind it all…

She hated the sight of doors... I don't blame her...

“There are yet more Chinese screens hiding the doors (Chanel hated the sight of doors, she said, they reminded her of those who has already left, and those who would leave again).”

After reading this quote, I couldn’t help but find myself flipping back to the beginning of the biography. I found this so striking… why was Chanel so narrow minded? Well considering her dark stages of her life started when she was so young… Chanel was an orphan by a young age; her father had dropped her and two Sisters, Julia and Antoinette, soon after the death of her mother at an orphanage in Aubazine in central France. Throughout the book we find a common occurrence of people in Chanel’s life leaving, such as family, friends and loved ones. With this common occurrence it’s only natural to shun people out as well in this case objects that remind you of the past or the future. This is one of many reasons why Chanel see’s the world pretty much half empty rather than full. Instead of seeing doors as an opportunity for the new entrances of life, Chanel takes the opposite. Naturally, I found this to be a page stopper; I had to really go in depth after pretty much every chapter. This theme was obviously quite life impacting, considering Chanel couldn’t even stand the sight of doors. This even reminds the reader Chanel was broken inside and how human Chanel was.

you can be anything you want to be

"Not that is ever a single truth in a life, especially for a woman who built a career on refashioning woman's ideas of themselves; which may be why Chanel recounted so many different stories about herself, as if in each version something new might emerge out of her history" (Picardie, 13)

As I glanced at page 13, I found myself starring into the novel for quite some while. I was amazed, while beginning to read “Coco Chanel: The legend and the life” It finally came to me Gabrielle is outstanding woman. An elusive designer, who introduced simplicity into women’s wardrobes, changed the fashion industry and understood the true power of a trademark look.

She was simplistic and elegant however so very complicated when it came to her past. Coco had her personal stories and changed them frequently however; she was powerful and stuck by her idea of creating your own image.

It finally made so much sense to me, a self realization. Gabrielle truly created who she became, and not only did she succeed but she “built a career on refashioning women’s ideas of themselves.” (Picardie, 13)

Basically Coco gave me a new way of looking at “you can be anything you want to be.”

It's Our cycle

Overall I was really pleased with the chapter "The Singing School" however I had to re-read parts of the chapter over again… but in saying so I found I really enjoyed creating my own perspective on Frye’s work. Frye goes on throughout the chapter about the old linking to the new and I tend to strongly agree. For me I believe everything is a cycle with our imagination ...somehow and someway
We can re-create or adjust the old by being cautious or even simply being oblivious.
In simpler terms:
The old effects the present
As does the present to the future…
I always find myself thinking of new and possible understandings after reading his work… but I believe that’s the point
Our imagination is based on whom and what surrounds us and it’s simply endless
..Like a cycle.