Coco Chanel Unbuttoned
The story of original influencer Coco Chanel, whose designs still represent the zenith of female sexuality, style and power.
The definitive portrait of Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel, the original influencer whose iconic designs – the little black dress, the jersey separates, the costume pearls, the tweed suit and Chanel No 5 perfume – remain symbols of luxury, style, sexuality and power in the 21st century.
Coco was the designer who started a revolution inspired by her own trailblazing and radical appetite for independence. She liberated women from heavy, corseted clothes, giving them freedom to work, move and celebrate themselves. In a male-dominated world, she was rewarded with unrivalled wealth, recognition and celebrity, counting everyone from Winston Churchill to Cecil Beaton as friends.
But despite her triumph, Coco remained an enigma. Until her death in 1971 at the age of 87, she veiled the truth of her poor childhood growing up in an orphanage, her early years as a kept mistress and her sense of being a perpetual outsider.
She indulged in complex affairs with men, including - allegedly - the married composer Stravinsky, a grand duke who had fled revolutionary Russia and the wealthy Duke of Westminster, who left her for a younger woman. A wartime romance with a German agent led to accusations of Nazi collaboration and Coco’s exile from France for nearly a decade.
This compelling documentary weaves together the truth of the woman and her work in the closest we have to her own words, based on a series of intimate interviews with her biographer Paul Morand, and voiced by La Boum and Braveheart actress Sophie Marceau. With exquisite animation and unprecedented access to the House of Chanel archives, never before has a film managed to get to the heart of her enduring legacy like this one.
Using beautifully shot and exclusive interviews with long-time assistant Lilou Marquand, Coco's muse of the 60s Jackie Rogers, current Chanel muse Caroline de Maigret, hip-hop stylist Misa Hylton, supermodel Jerry Hall and daughter Georgia, Coco is revealed by women who knew her and continue to live and wear her vision.
This is the culturally defining exploration of a legend whose work reflects the story of the 20th century. As Coco explained: 'I’m not a heroine, but I have chosen the person I wanted to be.'
Last on
Credits
Role | Contributor |
---|---|
Voice of Coco Chanel | Sophie Marceau |
Director | Hannah Berryman |
Executive Producer | Janet Lee |
Executive Producer | Gabriel Jagger |
Broadcasts
- Fri 15 Sep 2023 21:00´óÏó´«Ã½ Two except Northern Ireland & Northern Ireland HD
- Fri 15 Sep 2023 23:05´óÏó´«Ã½ Two Northern Ireland & Northern Ireland HD only
- Thu 5 Oct 2023 02:00
- Fri 6 Sep 2024 21:00
Featured in...
Access All Areas Docuseries
For all curious minds, go behind the curtain of top professions, businesses and people
The Art of France
Astounding art, amazing architecture, majestic music - gifts from France to the world.
In Profile
Rediscovering forgotten figures and a fresh look at famous names.
Celebrating International Women's Day
The incredible stories of amazing women in art.
Critically Acclaimed Documentaries
Timeless moments, revealing stories, honest accounts.
iPlayer Arts Category :: Featured Episodes
iPlayer Arts category featured programmes