It hit me while reading the Vogue review of this collection that in the last few years, there’s been a definite shift in using “Gabrielle Chanel” to describe its founder, rather than the more colloquial and famous nickname “Coco.” I don’t know if Vogue is complicit in something here, or if it’s a decision they made on their own, but it certainly feels like the brand itself is hoping the general audience won’t know that Gabrielle and Coco are the same person. Because Virginie Viard and the modern Chanel LOVE to cite aspects of Gabrielle’s life as inspiration, and given that she was a Nazi, it’d certainly be convenient if they were able to execute a little misdirection via nomenclature.
Anyhoo: This collection feels like an overt attempt to reach The Cool Kids via a more relaxed streetwear style. We’ll see if it works. I’m skeptical that the twain will ever meet.
