Reading Reflection No. 1

Coco Chanel: An Intimate Life (by Lisa Chaney)

1) You read about an entrepreneur:

·       What surprised you the most?

• Upon reading about Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel, I was very surprised to learn a few things. To begin with, I was completely unaware that she was born and raised in world of poverty with a family that was disconnected and an unstable childhood. Additionally, the author Lisa Chaney explains that she was caught up in a world of drugs and affairs, habitually using morphine, experimenting with bisexuality, and having affairs with Salvador Dali and a German man who may have been a Nazi spy. This was shocking to me because Coco Chanel is known for being a symbol of wealth, luxury, and class. It is very unexpected that such an icon could have faced so many struggles and lived such a dark past.

·       What about the entrepreneur did you most admire?

• I admire Coco Chanel’s creativity and perspective on the world the most. As an entrepreneur, it is essential to view the world in a unique and imaginative way that can open new doors and allow for the creation of something wonderful. I appreciate the way she views fashion, accessories, and extravagance. She stresses the importance of clothing, fashion embellishments, and even perfume in a way that has sculpted woman’s fashion for many years.  

·       What about the entrepreneur did you least admire?

• I least admire the morally wrong decisions that Coco Chanel made throughout her lifetime, such as her use of drugs and frequent affairs. While it is apparent that people suffer and search for a means of expression and release, I feel as though her decisions compromised her integrity and reputation. This is especially disappointing since she is such a powerful role model for women all over the world.

·       Did the entrepreneur encounter adversity and failure? If so, what did they do about it?

• It is clear that Coco Chanel did encounter adversity and failure. From the very beginning was born into a childhood of poverty and unpredictability with many challenges that forced her to start from a difficult position. In the beginning of her career, she worked as a mere seamstress making pitiful wages, which was a common job for women of the time. To overcome the difficult position she was put in, she used her creativity and sewing skills to create her own goods (such as hats) and begin a real business.

2) What competencies did you notice that the entrepreneur exhibited? 

One of the greatest competencies that I noticed Coco Chanel exhibited was her initiative. She went from being a seamstress in a shabby job to taking matters into her own hands and becoming an entrepreneur. Once she had created her business, she remained driven and continued to push forward to create new products and expand to new heights. She refused to settle, creating perfumes and classic designs, developing her business and name until she became an icon.  

3) Identify at least one part of the reading that was confusing to you.

One aspect of the reading that was confusing to me was the way that Chanel attracted wealthy women by utilizing her “comfortable” and relaxed styles. While it makes sense that the women were drawn to her designs as a relief from their normal styles of corsets and uncomfortable clothing, it is puzzling why they gave up the common luxurious style. The way that Chanel attracted these individuals to her unique take on "wealthy" style demonstrates how her perspective and creativity set her apart from the rest.

4) If you were able to ask two questions to the entrepreneur, what would you ask? Why?

To begin with, I would love to ask Gabrielle what her vision was when she was just a young adult. I wonder if the path she had planned for herself would even come close to the journey she ended up making. Often times, entrepreneurs start with a vision and end up making so many different changes that they end up in an entirely new place. I feel as though it would be enlightening to see where Gabrielle began, as a young and inexperienced business owner, and to compare it to where she ended up.

For my second question, I would love to ask the entrepreneur what her opinion of the current fashion industry is, and how she would add to it if she were still around to do so. I would want to ask her this because she is an incredibly creative and innovative individual, and I am deeply curious about the ways that she could contribute to the world today.

5) For fun: what do you think the entrepreneur's opinion was of hard work? Do you share that opinion?

I believe that Coco Chanel’s opinion of hard work is that it is essential in the process of becoming successful. While Chanel had groundbreaking ideas and creations, they would be entirely useless had she not put enough work into bringing them to life. It took drive and ambition to start a business and pursue a vision that was different from the typical styles of the time. I share this opinion as well, as I believe an idea (no matter how amazing) is useless without dedication, passion, and effort.

Conclusion:

Overall, I have always thought of Coco Chanel as an incredibly influential business-woman with drive and ambition that I aspire to mirror in my own life. She worked tirelessly to become one of the most inspirational entrepreneurs of all time, establishing a household name with timeless trademarks and amazing success. It was incredibly interesting to be able to read about her life and journey.