7 Russians in Coco Chanel's life: how princesses worked as milliners and models, and a Russian chemist created perfumes

2023 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-24 13:10

In life Coco Chanel there were many moments associated with the Russian people. At the same time, fate brought her together with the most brilliant and extraordinary representatives of Russian bohemia and high society: Sergei Diaghilev, Igor Stravinsky, Grand Duke Dmitry Romanov, Natalie Paley, Ernest Bo, Count Kutuzov, Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna - these people played an important role in the life of the great fashion designer. At the same time, Coco Chanel's relationship with them was very ambiguous!

The first wave of Russian emigration, associated with the coming to power of the Bolsheviks, led to the appearance of a huge number of Russians in Paris. The settlers of this period are called "white emigration", because it was then that White Guards, monarchists, members of the imperial family and those who sympathized with them were forced to flee from Russia. Coco Chanel was introduced to the world of Russian Paris by Sergei Diaghilev, whom she had known since the First World War.

The Russian theatrical figure and impresario Sergei Diaghilev has staged 68 ballets for 20 years, he was the organizer of the "Russian Seasons" in France. Coco Chanel became a philanthropist who invested heavily in the development of Russian ballet in Paris. She herself created costumes for several of Diaghilev's ballets for free. Chanel did not advertise her help - not out of modesty, but because she did not want a line of applicants to line up for her. They say that Diaghilev was afraid of Chanel - he did not know what to expect from a woman who gives money and does not demand anything in return.

Chanel also had friendly relations with the composer Igor Stravinsky. She gave money to Diaghilev for the production of Stravinsky's ballet "The Rite of Spring", participated in the creation of costumes. When the composer had nowhere to live, she settled him with his family in her villa. They say they had an affair, although they themselves have never confirmed or denied this.

Diaghilev contributed to the acquaintance of Coco Chanel with the Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovich Romanov, cousin of Nicholas II. Thanks to him, notable Russian clients appeared in the Chanel Fashion House, who in Chanel dresses began to attend social events - for advertising purposes. However, not only business, but also romantic relationships were associated with the Grand Duke Koko. He was 26 at that time, she was 37. Their romance lasted about a year, and they managed to keep their friendship forever.

The fashion designer owes to Prince Romanov the appearance of her most famous perfume - "Chanel No. 5". They were created by the Russian chemist and perfumer Ernest Bo, whose father was a supplier to the Russian imperial court. The perfume did not repeat the floral scents and revolutionized the world of perfumery. And the shape of the bottle was taken from the damask of Russian vodka!

Thanks to Dmitry Romanov, Chanel also met his sister, Grand Duchess Maria Pavlovna. The princess was fond of Russian embroidery, and together with Chanel they created several collections that had incredible success in Paris. So the Grand Duchess became a milliner.

The personal secretary-administrator of Chanel was Count Sergei Kutuzov, the former governor of Crimea. Until 1933, he headed the Chanel salons, and in 1934 he was appointed director of the Couture House. Many milliners and fashion models in Paris were Russian émigrés of noble birth. One of them was Natalie Paley, the granddaughter of Alexander II. Princess Chanel studied noble manners, a sense of style and taste.

Chanel confessed: “Any native of Western countries should do everything possible to understand what the“Slavic charm”is. I was fascinated by the Russians. Their eternal "all mine is yours" is simply intoxicating."

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