My first encounter of Chanel was a 2.55 lambskin bag, owned by my beautiful aunt. I was still a very young girl then, but I remembered telling myself that I need to own this bag too! (when I grow up)

Was it the bag that was beautiful or how it made my aunt looked really posh or cos of the brand? I guess is all these 3 reasons…

So, after I started working, I went a little obsessed of buying Chanel…the bags, the shoes, the accessories, the scarves…but yet to own the tweed jacket (that one day shall come 🙂 ). But my point is I only knew Karl Lagerfeld as the designer of Chanel. Totally ignorant to go find out if he created the Brand!

Till he recently made a film played by Keira Knightley that I started looking up for the real Mademoiselle Coco Chanel.

Just to share a little biography of her*… Her real name is Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel. Started her first fashion career in selling hats at Paris Rue Cambon back in the 1910s, then diversed to selling clothes when other stores were opened. By 1920s, her Chanel no 5 perfume was launched, including the legendary Chanel suit (inspired by comfortable menswear) as well as the little black dress.

In fact, she helped said au revoir to corsets and confining garments for the women back then!

There is a mini exhibition going on at the London College of Fashion right now, featuring “Personal Portraits of Coco Chanel”, by Marion Pike. She is a friend of Coco Chanel, and judging from the photos taken of them, they seem like close friends.

Of cos, I had to take this opportunity to go check it out. What’s better than seeing the real photos and portraits of this legend, right?

This showcase of her portraits and real life photographs have confirmed my view of Coco Chanel as a woman with true sense of sophistication. Her legendary style icon of simplicity yet chic looking paired with beautiful accessories and the famous pearl strands are just memorable!

Now that I am learning about Fashion, I am starting to be less ignorant about just knowing how luxury that brand is. I am learning to understand why, how and when the brand has evolved.

This time, I have chosen Chanel as I truly love their classic and timeless designs… till today.

Here are some photos I have taken from the Exhibition and some of the timeless Chanel collections I have collected over the many years of working life.

Have a good sweet dreams, all…..

The legend with her friend, Marion Pike

Some of the collections _ Chanel reissue 2.55, Chanel 2.55, Chanel mini sling bag (from their 2011 collection)

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*Taken from http://www.biography.com