A glimpse behind Coco Chanel's glamorous designs

The atmosphere was alive the moment you stepped into the theatre with every guest eagerly dressed in their best Coco Chanel-inspired outfits. You could tell this performance was about a legend loved by many. The piece starts with Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel in her earlier life as her passion forms. The costume design by Jérôme Kaplan beautifully set the era and transported the audience to the early 1900s. This combined with tassels that replaced the traditional curtain wings, created a larger luxurious ambience.

The dancers moved with the clean-cut elegance that is well aligned with Chanel’s legacy, accompanied by a charming original score by Peter Salem. With many movements mirroring each other, it created harmonious symmetry. At the same time, the dancer's mannequin-like stances enhanced the fashion world theming. Additionally, the incorporation of Chanel’s shadow directing her through life added a nuanced side to her character as we saw Chanel slowly become her full potential. Comparatively, the shadow’s pants defied traditional female ballerina costumes, reflecting Chanel breaking from the norm in her designs and representing her powerful stance in the industry.

Each dancer played their part excellently which naturally the audience could follow along smoothly. Those who are unaware of Chanel’s rise to fame will have no problem understanding. Choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, cleverly personified both the CHANEL N°5 perfume and the Coco Chanel logo. This was brilliant especially when the characters playing the logo mimicked Chanel’s love for Boy Capel. Not to mention the beautiful CHANEL N°5 flowers, the costumes by Kaplan had fabric gracefully overlapping one another to represent the petals of a flower. It is little details like this in the stage production that makes the experience fully immersive.

Act 2 revealed many hardships of Chanel and the stage’s dark and red lights set the eerie mood. This combined with the set’s use of the staircase we could see her climb to fame and when she would get knocked down after adversities. These stairs also combined to make a ‘C’ shape which was a perfect touch.

Overall, the piece ended with the dancers mirroring the opening scene to remind us it all started with little Gabrielle and she had grown into the Chanel we all know and adore. If you are a fashion enthusiast, you do not want to miss this ballet and learn about one of the biggest icons in the industry.