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5/4/2006 Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel (1883~1971)Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, known as "Coco Chanel", is a legend, a fashion/lifestyle/feminity-defining person, a pioneering French counturier, who created an empire for luxury. In China, most people may know her from her simplistic and sexy little black dress and Marilyne Monroe's favoriate perfume - CHANEL No. 5.
Basic facts about her life path:
- born in a small town of France
- mother died when she was six
- father abandoned her and four siblings
- raised in an orphanage
- had affairs with a couple of rich and powerful men, who funded her fashion passion
- admired by most prominent talents of her age: Picasso, Salvador Dali, Stravinsky and Diaghlilev
- liberated women's confined dress by borrowing elements from men's wear concepts
- invented boutique, where customers can fully enjoy the dressing up moment
- never married. Almost once to a duke. But she said:
"There are a lot of dukesses, but only one Coco Chanel."
What a Woman!
I respect and admire her so much that I even don't dare to comment on her. But I want to share with you some of the most witty quotes from her.
"Fashion is not simply a matter of clothes. Fashion is in the air, born upon the wind. One intuits it. It is in the sky and on the road."
"Fashion passes; style remains."
"Luxury is as spiritual a need as love."
"The more feminine a woman, the stronger she is."
"In fashion, you know you have succeeded when there is an element of upset."
"A woman can be over-dressed, never over-elegant."
"Luxury is when the inside is as beautiful as the outside."
...
"May my legend prosper and thrive. I wish it a long and happy life." 4/20/2006 Thomas J. Abercrombie (1930~2006)A stranger, ur? Definitely not a household name. I acquainted myself with the guy on the obituaries of New York Times. First, attracted to his picture, very likened to Hemingway with his white well-trimmed full beard. Then, to his adventures around the globe. (He has travelled in the Seven Continents, yes, them all.)
Adventure highlights:
* First civilian reporter to the South Pole (1957), where he stayed for weeks and shot memorable photos.
* At Cambodia (60s), he convinced an angry mob, eager to tear American from limb to limb, that he was French.
* In Afghanistan (60s), he was danggled by one heel on his horse over a chasm.
Awards highlights:
* Newspaper photographer of the year (1954) for his work at Milwaukee Journal
* Magazine photographer of the year (1959) for his work at National Geographic
* First person to win both awards
My comments:
1. A daredevil to live his life to the uttermost and push his boundary to the farthest
2. A versatile to travel all circumstances, by airplane, sailboat, canoe, sled, horse, mule, camel, yak and foot.
3. A camera-eye for natural beauty, whether it's dessert, ocean, mountain, tropical or antarctical.
4. A pioneer to the unmaned places and to the OTHER cultures. The most amazing of his all bold acts is that he converted to Islam (1964), a rare for an arrogant American.
Vera WangMost influential designer in bridal dresses and Hollywood-favored evening gowns. Her style is understated elegance and sophistication. Vera Wang is synomym for luxury.
Outline of her path:
* She was born in 1949, at New York City.
* Her mother is a UN translator and father a tycoon in oil and pharmacy.
* Her parents cultivated her with intellectual and athletic excellency.
* She was a skater till 20 and designed for Michelle Kwan.
* Her major was theater at Sarah Lawrence College and later Art History at Sorbonne.
* She was editor at Vogue for 16 years and design director for Ralph Lauren accessories in 2 years.
* Inspiration came when she couldn't find a satisfactory wedding gown.
* In 1990, she started her own brand and boutique at Madison, selling bridal wears.
* Now, she entered into a spectrum of luxury business: perfume, gift, crystal, footwear, eyewear - every delicate inch on a woman's body - or tablewear, china, dinnerwear every lovely details for home.
* She is Chairman, CEO and owner of Vera Wang Group, while mingling creative and executive roles into her life and career, when the two spheres overlap and become one.
* She married to a businessman and mothered two daughters.
My comments:
1. Her parents are supportive of her dreams, which is critical for one's growth in whatever direction destined and meant for the child. She can find her dream and go for it along the way withnot doubt or fear.
2. Her education is a liberal kind, with an emphasis on both mental and physical strength. The physical part is often ignored in favor of intellectual development, which is so wrong for the wholesome growth of a child.
3. Her origin of China definitely contributes to her taste and style - that understatement and half-hiding half-revealing charm is so familiar for Chinese aethestics.
4. Her sparkling recognition of her own business opportunity due to frustration brought together all her 20 years of experience in fashion industry and broke the tradition of bridal gowns and built an empire of her own.
5. Her growth story can be labeled as self-realization type. She is an admirable woman.
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