Coco Chanel: the Life of a Fashion Icon
#A rags-to-riches tale of glamour, turbulence, and blazing ambition.
Trailblazer. Icon. A force to be reckoned with. Renowned French designer Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel lived a life of light and dark, glamour and controversy, but always as she alone intended. Amidst the glitz and dynamism of Jazz Age Paris, the firebrand businesswoman redefined the world of fashion and created stylish clothing for a new generation of modern women who were ambitious, intelligent, and rebellious. Her iconic little black dress and bouclé jackets and skirts are now classic style staples seen all over the world. More than a century later, her legacy continues.
Acclaimed Belgian-Colombian choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa delves into the creativity, triumph, immorality, and dark opportunism of Chanel’s complex life from orphan to fashion legend in this full-length narrative ballet steeped in realism and beauty. Featuring an original score by Peter Salem, elegant sets and costumes by the award-winning Jerome Kaplan, and artistic collaboration by Nancy Meckler, this evocative ballet explores one woman’s elusive rise to the top at any cost.
A co-production of Queensland Ballet, Hong Kong Ballet and Atlanta Ballet, first performed in Hong Kong, China, on 24 March 2023.
Please note: This production is recommended for audiences aged 15+. The Nazi swastika symbol is used in the production for artistic purposes only.
Annabelle Lopez Ochoa
Choreographer
Nancy Meckler
Artistic Collaborator
Luis Torres
Stager
Peter Salem
Composer
Jérôme Kaplan
Costume and Set Designer
Mark A. Zappone
Costume Assistant to the Designer
Jon Buswell
Revival Lighting Designer
Roy Cheung
Sound Designer
Nigel Gaynor
Conductor
Camerata – Queensland's Chamber Orchestra
Live Music Partner
Queensland Ballet acknowledges the complicated legacy of Coco Chanel, particularly her affiliations with Nazi Germany during World War II.
To learn more about the events and stories of the Holocaust and the devastating effects of antisemitism, we encourage audiences to visit The Queensland Holocaust Museum, located in the Brisbane CBD, or to explore its excellent interactive virtual museum. We offer our heartfelt thanks to the Museum for sharing these important resources with us and our patrons.
Program
A complimentary printed program is available at the performance. We encourage you to please take one between two. You can also download a program here.
Cast sheets
Find out which dancers will be performing before you attend. Cast sheets are subject to changes, but updated daily.
#Who was Coco Chanel?
Creative and fiercely independent, French fashion designer Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most influential figures in fashion history.
Growing up in poverty as one of six children, Chanel's early life was marked by adversity. Following her mother's death, she was sent to an orphanage with her sister where she learned the art of sewing, sparking a lifelong passion for design.
At the age of 19, Chanel left, working as a seamstress and occasional café singer where her magnetic presence captivated audiences. In 1910, she opened a hat boutique called Chanel Modes, however it was her innovative use of jersey knit fabric that revolutionised women’s fashion, paving the way for her iconic clothing designs that continue to be celebrated for their simplicity and comfort.
After boutique openings in 1912, 1915, and 1918, she introduced Chanel No. 5 in 1921, a perfume that would become legendary and a cornerstone of her legacy. The same period saw the launch of Chanel’s iconic little black dress – an elegant, ready-to-wear staple. Despite the outbreak of World War II, her business flourished until the Nazi occupation of France forced closure of the shop.
During the war years, Chanel’s romantic association with a German diplomat led to allegations of collaborations, however she was never formally charged. After the war, she retreated to Switzerland briefly before returning to Paris in the early 1950s determined to revive her fashion empire.
In 1954, Chanel debuted a triumphant post-war collection, which included the timeless Chanel suit – a collarless jacket and skirt in tweed, adorned with braid trim. It was hugely popular in the United States, and cemented her place as a visionary in the fashion world.
Coco Chanel's legacy endures as a pioneer of modern fashion, known for her innovative designs that liberated women from the constraints of traditional clothing. Her influence continues to shape the industry, embodying a spirit of elegance, independence, and timeless style that transcends generations. Chanel passed away on January 10, 1971 at the Ritz in Paris, leaving behind a legacy that remains synonymous with luxury, sophistication, and enduring chic.
