When Coco Chanel Meets Karl Lagerfeld

You may swear by your Chanel, but did you know that Mademoiselle first saw the interlocking Cs in the stained-glass windows at Aubazine, the orphanage where she lived as a child. Her childhood, the enigma surrounding her years at the orphanage, and motifs like lion heads that inspired her, are all brought to life at ‘Mademoiselle Prive’ – the fashion and art exhibition held at Saatchi gallery.

As you walk through the English gardens conceptualised by landscape designers Harry and David Rich, you can explore the three parts of Coco Chanel’s life – her ideas of liberty, Boy Capel who was the love of her life and how her star sign (Leo) was the symbol of her strength.

The exhibition also unveils the many travels that inspired her, the aura around her boutiques, and the totems, codes and symbols that are so cleverly used even till date. For fans of Chanel no5, experience the compositions that went into the making of the classic fragrance.

Like a dual story, Karl Lagerfeld focusses on contemporary Chanel and has styled 17 actresses in the ‘Bijoux de Diamants’ collection. These portraits of Julianne Moore, Lily-Rose Depp and other Chanel muses that dot the walls of the gallery, blur the lines between the classic and contemporary.

Mademoiselle Privé  is showing at Saatchi Gallery, London from 13th October to 1st November 2015.