Coco pops: The making of an icon

MANILA, Philippines - The birth of a fashion icon is captured on film through Coco Avant Chanel, one of the year’s most celebrated films in and beyond the fashion industry. Coco Avant Chanel chronicles the young Parisian couturier Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel’s training years — her journey from modest beginnings as an orphan to eventually successfully weaving herself into the French elite through her exceptional personality and vision.

Coco Avant Chanel features the glorious French backdrop meshed with the luxurious fashion of the time. Faithfully depicted all throughout is Chanel’s revolutionary “less-is-more” approach to style. Chanel is best known for having broken all the fashion rules early on in her career, with her modern style outlook and slightly masculine aesthetic. She made famous tweed jackets and trousers, form-fitting little black dresses, and a subdued palette preference for black and white for women at a time when ladies wore corsets, flap dresses, and colorful ensembles.

Through the collaboration with Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel’s current creative director, this Anne Fontaine independent film was given rare access to archives and was lent elusive pieces from Chanel’s personal collection of apparel and fine jewelry.

Featuring acclaimed international actress Audrey Tautou who plays the elegant Coco, Tautou is likewise the newest face behind the world’s best selling and most successful fragrance in history, Chanel No.5.

In 1921, Coco launched Chanel No. 5, her first-ever fragrance. Today, after 88 years since its inception, it continues to be the world’s most legendary scent, and remains the company’s most famous perfume.

In line with this, Rustan Commercial Corporation — the official and exclusive distributor of Chanel cosmetics and fragrance — will host a series of exclusive Philippine previews this month, made possible through the support of the French Embassy, The Peninsula Manila, Mandarin Oriental Suites, Moet and Chandon Champagne, Gateway Cineplex, and Rockwell Powerplant Cinema.

To gain access to this velvet-rope movie screening event, simply purchase P3,500 worth of Chanel products in any Rustan’s Department Store, and you will automatically receive two tickets to Coco Avant Chanel at the schedule specified in the ticket. This promo will run from October 10 to 15, 2009 with Rustan’s giving away 300 complimentary passes.

The brilliant portrayal by Tautou has garnered her raves from critics the world over — capturing Coco’s muted aggression and unapologetic discernment for elegance. In conjunction with the movie, Tautou’s much-talked-about Chanel No. 5 commercial was also recently revealed where she reunites with her Amelie director Jean-Pierre Jeunet. Tautou is the latest to join the elusive roster of Chanel No. 5 muses including the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Catherine Deneuve, and most recently, Nicole Kidman.

Chanel No. 5 was a revolutionary scent, the first perfume to evoke the true woman’s unique and individualistic personality. In an era where perfumes were floral and pretty, Chanel wanted a perfume that reflected strength and character, without losing her femininity.

Chanel No. 5 is exclusively distributed by the Rustan Commercial Corporation and is available in all Rustan’s Department Stores: Makati, Shangri-La Plaza Shopping Mall, Gateway, Alabang, Robinsons Place, and Ayala Center Cebu.