Maintenance Rules By Coco Chanel
LESSONS:
MAINTENANCE RULES BY COCO CHANEL
Lessons on life and beauty from the master herself.
- Written By
- JAYME CYK
No matter where you venture, or what language you speak, one name is universally synonymous with fashion and beauty: Chanel. So it’s fitting that the house’s venerable founder, Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, remains among the world’s most quotable women. Indeed, while Coco herself was known for her austere lifestyle and streamlined, no-frills aesthetic, the fashion pioneer always had a way with words, and plenty of pearls to dispense. As the designer who single-handedly liberated women from the post–World War I corseting craze, Chanel placed a premium not only on looks, but also on women’s inner lives and beauty. Here, just a few maxims from the master on the themes, of life, love, luxury—and, of course, style.
COCO CHANEL’S RULES OF ENGAGEMENT
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I don’t understand how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little—if only out of politeness. And then, you never know, maybe that’s the day she has a date with DESTINY. And it’s best to be as pretty as possible for destiny.
— COCO CHANEL
A PORTRAIT OF MADEMOISELLE CHANEL, 1962
PHOTOGRAPHY BY DOUGLAS KIRKLAND / CORBIS
A woman can be overdressed, but NEVER over elegant.
COCO CHANEL
CHANEL SMOKING ON A DIVAN, 1937
PHOTOGRAPHY BY HORST P. HORST / COURTESY OF CONDE NAST / CORBIS
Nature gives you the face you have at twenty. Life sculpts your face at thirty. But it’s up to YOU to earn the face you have at fifty.
COCO CHANEL
CHANEL WITH HER DOG, 1930.
PHOTO COURTESY OF CHANEL
You should perfume yourself wherever you want to be KISSED.
COCO CHANEL
CHANEL ON A YACHT IN THE LIDO, 1936.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY V.H. GRANDPIERRE / COURTESY OF VOGUE PARIS
Stylishness is a conquest of the MIND over the senses.
COCO CHANEL
CHANEL AND HER ICONIC PEARL NECKLACE, 1936
PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROGER-VIOLLET / LIPNITZKI
The face is a mirror that shows the movements of the inner life: give it the UTMOST care.
COCO CHANEL