Image via: Source
You have probably seen the biographical films depicting Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel as the lovely orphan who worked and toiled until she had succeeded in the fashion world presenting glamorous shows and elegant collections that made her an influential designer and fashion icon. However, would you support someone who was directly linked to a source responsible for violating human rights and countless murders? Probably not, but here’s a little surprise, the real Coco Chanel and not the mythical character we see on the screen became the lover of a Nazi officer, Hans Gunther von Dincklage aka “Spatz”, in WWII during the German occupation in France. Coco decided to close her stores in 1939 and lived comfortably in the Ritz Hotel protected by her lover and Nazi connections. I was very surprised to find this information since I never saw in her films something that would suggest Coco was a Nazi sympathizer. However, after reading several articles I realized that these allegations were not simply rumors but are actual facts! At one point, the Nazis used Coco as a spy and used her as bait in an operation called “Modelhut”. I simply could not believe what I was reading, I have always been a fan of Chanel’s aesthetic and glamorous pieces, the house of Chanel always tries to embody Coco’s “allure and style” into the brand. I also wasn’t aware that Chanel took the Nazi occupation as an opportunity to take back control from her perfume line from Jewish (Wertheimer family) stake holders, “Chanel tried to wrest control of her perfume manufacturing from a Jewish family, taking advantage of pro-Aryan laws.” (The Times).
Chanel and Hans Gunther von Dincklage via The First Post
Shocking as it sounds, Coco Chanel became a collaborator with the Nazis and although she wasn’t the only designer to work with the Germans, many other designers and brands like Hugo Boss, Coty and Mercedes Benz worked along the Nazis during the occupation. Many businesses decided to align themselves with the occupants to survive and continue to make a living during the war, I would understand if Coco had the same reasons but it was her unapologetic and opportunistic, selfish attitude that disturbed me deeply. When asked about her Nazi affiliations in latter years, she said “I don’t ask my lovers for their passports”. Gabrielle or Coco, always took any opportunity to have a better life, she came from a poor background where a woman wasn’t allowed to be successful, she broke these conventions to reach her dreams, but is it necessary to assist the enemy to get ahead in the world? Did her actions justify the end results? No matter how much, I try to understand Coco, I can’t help to see that she was simply using the Système débrouillard or System D, a person that bends or breaks the rules to get around. Yes, she was an ambitious woman and did all she could to become famous and established. After the war, Coco Chanel was tried but instead of being punished and humiliated publicly like many of the women who were involved with the Nazis in France, she was sent into exile with her Nazi lover to Switzerland, all thanks to her connections to the British Aristocracy.
Women who were Nazi collaborators humiliated after the liberation of France via (Source)
I know I am outlining many of the facts that have been published and divulged for years but it also made me ponder, how much do we know about the brands we love and admire? I also think it is a disservice to all Chanel fans when publishers and filmmakers omit this part of Coco’s life. For a woman who is highly revered, I would love to see all the aspects of her career good and bad. I have yet to see a movie that will showcase Coco during the tumultuous years of WWII but then again I doubt the house of Chanel would like to dig-up this controversy. I will not say this hasn’t affected the way I view Chanel the brand but now I see that the house of Chanel is nothing more than a marketing powerhouse, churning a mythic and clean persona named “Coco” to advertise a luxurious and chic lifestyle. However, even with Karl Lagerfeld’s wonderful designs and aesthetic it is hard to forget that this fashion house was built by a woman whose ideology and ethics were questionable. I have to admit that Coco’s secret years opened my eyes to become more aware of the difference between brand marketing and the history behind the real person not the myth that embodies a brand.
If you would like to read Coco’s most thorough biography including her hidden past, I recommended Axel Madsen’s, Chanel: A Women of Her Own.
You can also read more about Coco Chanel’s life during the war HERE, Here and here.
Axel Madsen’s – Chanel: A Women of Her Own.
Has this aspect of Coco Chanel’s life affected the way you view Chanel as a brand?
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Glendy and Glendy, Glendy. Glendy said: As Promised! My new post: Chanel's Disturbing Little Secret – http://tinyurl.com/2dfjwvx [...]
WOW i’ve seen the fairy tale movie about “coco chanel” the other day and felt like she was a role model… but after reading this, this is the conclusion i have came across.
“For every success, there is either sacrifice or scamming involved”
wow, i have to admit never really heard about that..but on the other hand i not researched into Cocos life after all…it seems really disturbing to me as well…haven’t owned a Chanel piece or replica yet..will think about that now..Mm..
thanks for shining the light on that…
greets!
.-= agnes´s last blog ..Happy Birthday "Miss Golightly"… =-.
@ Jenny
Initially, when I saw Coco’s movies I was enthralled and saw her as an icon of power and femininity, however the way she climbed the success ladder was always romanticized but in reality, our girl liked to give “something” to the powerful men she was involved with and receive favors and $$$$ in return. I don’t necessarily think that in order to get ahead you need to scam anyone but I agree that great sacrifices have to be made in order to reach your goal.
Much love,
Glendy
It’s always dangerous to put people too far up on a pedestal. For every “star” or “icon” there is the talent and creativity that gave them that reputation, but there is always a deeply human and fallible side to even the brightest star. I think the trick is to take inspiration from the good but recognize the bad and learn from it. Don’t idolize people too much…they can rarely live up to it!
.-= Hope Ava´s last blog ..Spring Fling… =-.
@ Hope Ava
I agree as humans we are not perfect and we cannot be praised as idols, even the most revered person can have it’s flaws. However, I do think that we can change and realize our mistakes and be humble enough to admit them and change, unfortunately Chanel wasn’t like this.
Much love,
Glendy
I’m not much of a chanel person, I only saw the movie, because I was in love with the French actress Audrey Tatou.
To me, Chanel was on a list of things that I could never purchase but can look at.
Does the idea of her being a Nazi sympathizer deter me in any way, not really, but that could be my ambivalence towards the company itself. Everyone has flaws.
Should I feel the same of Albert Einstien because he was helping the Nazi’s at one point? Or that Helen Keller was a Communist because she felt capitalism was the reason behind men going blind due to lack of saftey in the work place?
We always have these idols whom we see as great people. But people, just like us, have opinions, ideas, and lives different than ours. They make their own choices like we do, so why be shocked, everyone is different. Learn of their greatness, learn how they achieved it, and know who you are in the process, because its you who matters not these people.
<3
.-= Melinda´s last blog ..New Inspirations? =-.
Wow Glendy this is very disturbing.. Seriously I always looked a her like a fashion icon but I’m at awe here
[...] Coco Chanel’s Disturbing LіttƖе Secret | Style Amor [...]
Wow, I had no idea. It is really interesting how we hold all of these people in high regards, but in all honesty, I don’t know much about their history other than their body of work that they put forth in the public eye. Hope you can still come to my slumber party- I’m going to post the photos on the 9th so you can send me yours if you still want to come by then! xo, mel
@Melinda ummm I think those are very different situations, Einstein AFAIK got out of his situation as fast as he could, and calling Helen Keller a communist because she was supporting worker’s rights (at a time when they were nearly nonexistent) is…stretching, at the very best.
Anyways, yeah, Glendy, I was aware of some of this, although I didn’t really know the extent of it. IMO fashion has a long and sordid history of simply glossing over or completely ignoring things they don’t like to think about – you only have to look at treatment of models or outright racism within the industry and how the industry ignores that for proof! So it doesn’t surprise me at all.
.-= Michelle´s last blog ..Daily Outfit 4/29/10 =-.
[...] Coco Chanel’s Disturbing Little Secret [...]
[...] Avant Chanel last year, and the legacy of her brand is one of the strongest ever. But according Style Amor, the fashion icon’s history is tainted by the touch of Nazi affiliation. Glendy’s [...]
Just read your summary of her Nazi career. Coco’s saving grace was indeed due to her alliance and long friendship with Winston Churchill, the architect of the war’s success. Did you know that she and Churchill not only had a tryst, but were very loyal to one another even during the war and after. There are rumors of Coco leaking information to Winston during the war in the Cartier delivery pouches
Another action Chanel did was to rescue Jeanne Touissant from the pounding clutches of the Nazi’s in Paris. Jeanne was the famous lead designer at Cartier and she flew in the face of the Nazis by creating and selling fine jewelry petit pins of caged birds in red white and blue gemstones. These pins symbolized that the free french were caged up by the Nazis. This did not go over well with the Nazis.
The Nazis retaliated against Jeanne by dragging her out of Cartier and placing her in jail for intense interrogation. Just who got her out? Our beloved Coco Chanel with her influence with her Nazi lover, the head of Nazi Propaganda.
Now why would Coco risk everything for Jeanne if she wasn’t using her position only selfishly. I’m sure Mademoiselle needed Jeanne back in Cartier for the delivery pouches to London’s Cartier. And by the way, the french resistance with Charles DeGaulle, had their offices secretly above Carter in London.
With history, it’s important to delve in deeper and connect the dots.
awesome story
Apparently most of the responders are unaware that the company
is now in the hands of the Wertheimer family.
The article only mentioned Coco took back control through the
pro-aryan laws. It doesn’t mention how the Wertheimers got back
full control of the company (anti-aryan laws?).
Were the Wertheimers compensated by Chanel when she took control?
Was Chanel compensated by the Wertheimers when they took back control?
Why have the Wertheimers kept the name brand if she was such a
wicked worman?
Lots of questions about the occupation and its aftermath that have
never been reviewed for fear of being called an anti-semite.
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