Coco Chanel- NAZl, Mistress, addict, spy & the world’s most glamorous woman! 

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I can't stand when people says that she was an "iconic" women. She was a good designer, period. She was FAR from being a decent human being... I studied fashion design in the US (I'm French,) and I couldn't stand when people said that American were the one who noticed her talent in the early 50's. Nope, French people despised her for being a war traitor, a Nazi spy, and a terrible human being, that's why nobody wanted to have anything to do with her... She was not a "women activist" as people tend to believe, she hated women, she hated women's body, she thought that elbow and knees were disgusting and improper to look at, and that mini skirts where ridiculously ugly... Tones of interviews in French are so embarrassing for her because of the way she rants at everybody else who is successful and considered more modern than. Anyway, sorry about this long post, I just can't help myself...

Sadly, she forgot where she was coming from as a child. As soon as she was welcomed into the land of rich and famous, she fell into a hierarchy all to herself. It's unfortunate that once some people get introduced to a Glamorous lifestyle it changes who they are as a person. Shockingly, up until her death she thought that she did the right thing.

She was a social climber she didn’t give a damn About they agenda’s she just wanted to sell her brand and it worked in her favor now everyone especially black ppl rock her brand sooo crazy💆🏾‍♀️

She was a racist! I don't like Coco Chanel but people always call me Coco Chanel because my nickname is Coco fun fact. I do respect her grind though🙌🏿 it takes a lot to grow up in a time period when woman didn't have RIGHTS and work your way up to the top. I've come to THE realization THAT no human being is above approach, Flawless, perfect and walk the narrow path. As long as you're in the land of the living you change! your mindset is different at 20 than it is at 30 and vice versa. Also I came to realize what one generation accepts another will not. We don't know 20 years from now people might not accept some of the things we did today. the thing about today is we have a digital trace of social media post. What's good one day is not good the next that's how the human world works

Chanel seemed to project a lot with her anti-Semitic and anti-gay expressions. She was suspected of sleeping with women, dressed in masculine looking clothing, and lived a life as a man’s mistress (which is a scam of the sanctuary of marriage)…she projected herself out onto others in the world. Shame on her for that. She was a successful designer and paved ways but I’m not wearing any of her things. I just can’t do that myself knowing who she was behind the design

I remember the day that Coco died. In fact, I was a fashion major at the High School of Art and Design in NYC, at the time. One of my teachers had told me a lot about her. I even had seen the musical "Coco", on Broadway, starring Katherine Hepburn. She certainly had a dark side. I think a lot of gay, male, fashion designers resented her tremendously because she was so competitive with them and never conceded to either the gay or straight male patriarchy.

People can do great things but that doesn't make them great people

I hate saying things like this, but it's more shocking when you find out someone born before 1970 wasn't racist 😒. Not surprised.

My grandmother had 10 brothers and sisters whom she left behind in the Warsaw Ghetto to die. I asked a surviving cousin about her experience escaping the Nazis. She explained that she was interned in Auschwitz with her younger brother. They were both starving to death when they made their escape, on foot, to the Russian border. Just feet from the border, her brother collapsed. She tried valiantly to carry him, but, exhausted herself, could not. She left him there to die only feet from the border. With tears in her eyes, she recounted this story to me in the 1970's. I will never forget it!

I recently heard about Chanel during the Nazi era. I thought she had intentionally moved into the Ritz to date a Nazi soldier, to avoid her business from closing. This is crazy, maybe she was an actual racist, or both 🤷🏽‍♀️.

They actually have a small Coco Chanel exhibit at the spy museum in D.C. in the n*z* section. Since the company is not owned by her or her family, I think it's okay to buy Chanel if you want to spend the money on it, but I don't think she should be idolized in any way. I find it disturbing that so many beauty influencers who constantly praise her and the brand have no clue about her history. Thank you for the video and keeping people informed.

Coco Chanel may have been a creep, but we don't know how whoever inherited her brand thinks. Classic example: Wagner, the composer, was a Nazi sympathizer. His granddaughter fled Germany as WWII was breaking out because she found the Nazis to be repulsive. She is now in charge of the Wagner estate As a Jew, I'm touched by your attitude. I saw films with the same stuff, and I grew up where there were plenty of folks who had survived the Nazis. Some of them had numbers tattooed on their wrists. (Tattoos, btw, go against Judaism because you're not supposed to multilate your body.) There are places I won't go and companies I refuse to patronize because of the attitudes of the folks at the top, especially private companies owned by jerks.

Hey Friend! Hope everyone is having a great day. Believe it or not, but a lot of top fashion brands were against blacks, browns, and gays and were Nazi sympathizers. You'd be surprised. And sadly enough, a lot of black, brown, and gay entertainers--as well as every day people rock these brands.

She hated Elsa Schiaparelli so much (bc she was legit competition for her) that She (Coco) pushed her into a fire place with a fire in it at a party once. Chanel was a despicable person. I have the pleasure of owning beautiful designer items like LV, Louboutin, Gucci but I never will buy Chanel.

Happy Sunday sis ❤️! I didn’t know Coco Chanel was an actual person 💀.

Love the sinner but hate the sin. That is what I was taught and I believe that. Let her racism and spitefulness be an example of how not to be.

She must’ve been sick af from the grave, seeing Jewish Karl Lagerfeld revitalize her brand.

I’m very proud to say I’ve never bought anything Chanel. For some reason I’ve never been drawn to that brand.

Maybe I'm biased because I'm French but I see coco as someone who lived her life in survival mode. She was willing to bang who she had to to stay on top. Is it right? No but we don't know how we'd feel in France in wwii. My grandma almost starved to death, and didn't speak for a year after the war. ( she was a kid)

My dad used to buy my mom, Chanel #5, every anniversary. I didn’t like it, but thought it was so important for my mom. My dad would have never bought it for her, if he knew this. I’m 53, the time period for people. 😞

I agree…it’s no longer a flex. I got rid of anything Chanel I owned

All women owe Coco a lot about today's fashion. She was the woman that transformed style and class and fashion and the meaning of the last word forever. I don't want to imagine how clothes would look like today if it wasn't for her

Can u do another break down on some other designer brands cause they have interesting back stories

What I find super funny is how people now days will cancel someone they disagree with, but only if the person is someone that is not as attractive or in Coco's case iconic. You would think that with all of this info Chanel would be cancelled today and no one would want to wear her brand

I can't. I can't wear the fragrance or even see the logo anymore. No more Chanel.

In my opinion...she is not the "face" of Chanel anymore. It is Karl Lagerfeld who literally revived the brand in the 90s...everytime I see a design of him from the 90s I am just starstruck. He is the one who put Chanel on the map again...I know he had his flaws but overall he was a nice person (though sometimes he made controversial comments)

People still buy and wear Hugo Boss....Which is just as nuts as supporting Chanel . Some of this has to do with peoples flimsy history memory.

As much as I love her work and perfumes (the latest are not actually her work, let's be fair), I still think she was a nasty person. She lacked morals and had too much pride. She made her career through men's beds and played unfairly regarding her business (the history of perfume N5).

Same as the R. Kelly question. Supporting the brand IS supporting the person. However, everyone has to make their own decision about moral issues.

I think one can still buy the products, because the brand is bigger than a person.

Y’all gotta keep the same energy as you do for other racists. If you’re not a Jew, it’s not for you to forgive, excuse or say whether or not she was being racist. If you do keep that energy when it applies to every other race including your own, then fine lol say what you want. Karine I urge you not to say “those of the Jewish faith” to refer to us please because we are not just a religion, but an ethnoreligion which means we are an ethnicity and a culture too. I appreciate how Karine described the genocide, but her surprise at the British being antisemitic shows that most people don’t know what we have gone through. Literally all through history, in every country we travelled to, we lived as second class citizens, were taxed special Jewish taxes, had to wear specific clothes to identify us (this didn’t start with the nazis and the Star of David), and often had to live in ghettos. My relatives who died in the Holocaust lived in ghettos in Poland before they were murdered. The French were antisemitic too. Literally everyone was.

The way I see it if people boycott Channel for her WW2 past then they need to have that same energy for Hugo Boss. I'm not shocked by this. People back then all had scandalous past

I appreciate your channel because you have a kind loving heart and high values. I was turned off by Chanel when I heard they tested on animals.

Time does not forgive a traitor. If she was close enough to live in the same hotel as those fiends, she should have been tried at Nuremberg.

She was a social climber and the Nazi’s were the top of the social ladder at the time. I don’t doubt that she had at least some of the same ideals, but if they were not as powerful as they became I don’t think she would have associated with them as much as she did. As for giving up Chanel, if I were alive at the time I would have given up the brand even tho I’m not Jewish. Coco was still profiting from it, now that she has passed, the family doesn’t profit from it, and I don’t know of any high ups in the company funding hatred and g*noc*de, so I think it’s ok to buy now.

Okay....the only 'critique' I would give about your mini Documentary is that it wasn't long enough.! This was wonderful, Karine - thoroughly enjoyed it, from beginning to end. Your voice was perfect pitch, volume and tone, which all work to make the story you're telling that much more interesting. Content was spot-on, as I love watching anything about WWll. I haven't ever bought Chanel products, nor would I, but there are plenty of folks out there that keep the brand alive. At any rate, thank you so much for taking the time to share this piece of history, and I look forward to many more.! 😊

I have been questioning the brand lately too, for the same reasons. I still don’t know what I think. If you look at any artist in history they have lived questionable lives and it’s really hard for me reconcile this. She IS a racist pure and simple, It’s so sad. Thank you for this video! ❤️

The woman passed away decades ago and no one is getting generational wealth because she left no offspring. So buying her stuff which is now made by other people won't affect anything as long you don't put her on a pedestal. I never brag about brands or praise designers. I will buy something because it's either practical or cute. And I could only "praise" someone who's known to be of a good deed such as Sir Nicholas George Winton. Bless his soul♥ With that said, if all this info was about a brand of a designer of today or if she had kids getting all the money of whatever we buy today, I would've thought twice before purchasing, but this isn't the case.

No cannot support this brand. I don’t know how it’s possible to overlook her anti semitism for the sake of fashion.

Love you ! If it makes you feel weary to spend money on it , or when you wear it , maybe you should end the relationship . Having said that , you might be surprised to know how many of these companies are still around . Some of these companies tried to distance themselves from it like coco , but others just did business and still do business and nobody knows or cares . The American government saved hundreds of these scientists from justice and they started up NASA . These are all facts . Thank you

Like her or not Coco Chanel was the ultimate survivor.

Our people (BIPOC) have been have been through tragedies and still do and don't receive half the empathy. I believe that Chanel was talented. I learned about her political ties and it did not change the respect I have for her as a designer.

Would never spend one penny on her perfume. Find you some black beauty icons.

🥰🌻 Can you please add Carolyn bessette Kennedy to your list? I wanna hear more about her!

Chanel is a classic brand across the board. She fought to stay rich, so that she would never be poor again. My favorite perfume is Mademoiselle CoCo Chanel. There is something so beautiful about a scent that lasts all day, but is still beautiful. I don't agree with her choices, but many people from that era were on a different level of hate, and here in the USA our ancestors endured Jim Crow. Those people from Chanel's era are the reason for the many hateful laws that are still on the books. Love the video 😍

Her allegiance was to herself 🤷‍♀️ great video

She played double agent for France and Britain.

CHANNEL wasn't the only one that was a Nazi supporter, check out the history of a few more LEGENDARY high end fashion brands from out of Europe. You'll be even more surprised.

Chanel ended the corset: yes, but she only made it popular; in fact, Madeleine Vionnet was the first to claim a free female body, but the vendeuses would not sell this "lingery dresses". The orphanage story is dated, one source reveals, that she was at her aunt's - a laundress - as nanny for her children; she did not open "several" boutiques, but in 1913 Deauville, then later Biarritz with Haute coture with production headquarter in Paris. I confess, I was able to listen just one part of your later statements, let me give you an impression: Chanel had to face many humilitiation experiences when she wasn't that famous. Her background lacked of education, she had to go into and copy it; I think, that her Nazi sympathies were not such a sympathy but a fear of communism which was quite popular at the time among the Rich and Famous. Additionally, surely she wanted to have a "lean" image being in society, so she just copied the views. Go into history of Europe, the personal story of this woman always needs a closer look to understand. In fact, I'm German and we have an actual problem with extreme nationalism which is not my way of living. I do not see races but humans, this is what counts. As for Chanel, her end was tragic: famously rich, but very lonely in her room under the rooftop of the Ritz; for me, she died as a lonely girl which was left by a father she never had and no man ever was able to heal that wound. She just had her fashion house which went to Wertheimer after her death.

I used to love Coco Chanel, until I saw this video,

Another very prejudiced woman was Margaret Sanger.

I've always thought she looks like a hard hearted person& I thought she was creepy.although lots of credit to her for all she achieved as a woman & in difficult times.

She was definitely a mean girl

*CC are my initials & I'm a Leo as well, it's the only brand that I would actually spend money on. However, there is nothing that I put pass anyone & I'm glad you are sharing the facts about her shaky past.*

I'm not sure why people are surprised that people who grew up in racism end up as racist or at the very least having racist ideas. Likewise allot of the oppressed groups uphold racism because they accept it and internalize it.

I read "Sleeping with the Enemy " , such a good read. Her name is Coco because she was giving it away, lol😆😆😆😆 (Haitians know what I mean)

I watched & Loved the Biopic. But Yr vids prob wayyy more accurate! Love Yr vids!💙💙

I feel you can get dupes for anything Chanel without paying for the name. It's a bit overrated, though that nail polish shade Vamp was really popular in the 90s and I wanted that nail polish, but I can't justify spending $30.00 on it. Also it's Black business month, there are luxury black owned brands that's worth checking out (i.e. Telfar, Brandon Blackwood, The Taliaferro perfume, etc.)

Yeah, I didn't know this, I would not support this. I feel it's disgusting.

I love your channel. I always learn something new about these famous people that isn’t mainstream knowledge, and your voice is so calming 💤 Thanks for the consistent content, sister girl!

I'm with you. She was shameful

Every since I found out that she was friends w/Hilter. And gave racist vibes- I’m good on Chanel..,

She was a Leo, she wouldn't accept failure!

I love love love Chance Chanel perfumes! I adore the flowery, feminine, type smells!Those are the only thing I’ve ever purchased that is of that brand👃🌬💐🌼🌷🌺🌸🌻

If you look at the history of most of the old companies or rich people in the world you will find all of them participated in racism directly or indirectly. You can keep the same energy for all of the companies or make a mental note, educate, email or write them and ask them if they are aware of their wrongs and what have they done to rectify the bad behavior. In the end you will still have to utilize many of them to survive.

It's easy to judge people's life choices in hindsight. Of course, this shouldn't exonerate them. Still, as a woman during that deeply sexist age, I can imagine what a struggle it must've been for Coco Chanel to be successful and stay relevant. But yep, she definitely sided with the wrong side of history.

50 million people died in WWII not just "6 million" of those we are told not to criticise.

I hope you plan to make a Shania Twain video! I just watched her Netflix documentary and wow, I love her more

This is not her brand for 50 years. I think it has nothing to do with Coco's persomality anymore

Chanel’s quality has gone down a lot while the prices keep going up. Problematic history aside, it’s not a bag that the average woman should spend years saving up for. Chanel bags have become a classic and household name, but it’s also basic at the same time.

Her vision has generated a $15 billion business empire.

Wow learned a lot, I would never support her. I want one on Donatella Versace

I heard years ago about Coco Chanel being a Nazi sympathizer. When I see a lot of these decor videos on RU-vid where 90% of the " influencers" have the " Chanel" coffee table book, it makes me cringe a little. Interesting video, very well done.

I saw Dachau concentration Camp in Germany. I would NEVER EVER buy even one piece of anything that was Chanel. We need to stop racism NOW!

Hugo Boss was also a "NotZee." So was Fanta, Coke, Volkswagon also "Notzee" brands in that they benefited that regime.

Wow, this is so revealing and eye opening! I did not know anything about Gabrielle Chanel other than she was a successful and world's most famous designer. She is lucky I like some of her perfumes! Now, knowing these details, makes me think about all the innocent people in the world who have contributed to the brand by buying her products, unbeknownst to her associations. You are correct in your sentiment. I don't think I would buy any more Chanel products without feeling remorseful

Please do a video on Elsa Schiaparelli, she was Chanel’s rival back in those times

You learn something new everyday. I was gifted Chanel #5 when I was younger. I must say I regifted it to my Aunt. She knew me well enough to know i would never have bought it for her. We both had a good laugh and I can't remember who received it last. It was very strong and reminded me of older church ladies go figure! Her bio doesn't surprise me. Money protects money.

We continue to support TH, LV, G....all of them originated in this era and whether it is publicized or not many of them shared the same point of view.

Thank you for educating us on these designers, once you learn who they really are, it makes it easier to not spend your hard earned money on making them rich and we stay poor, trying to keep up with a fantasy.

Coco Chanel perfume has been my signature fragrance for over 20 yrs.

I will say she made decisions based on her time. She was a ruthless business woman much like some women who have made it to the top today. A lot of designers who make it also have schetchy pasts. Just no world war to boot. I’m not defending her by no means but put yourself in her shoes. From poverty, in Europe alone in the world. Jaded. World War One then two! I’m not sure what I would do. That’s the truth. I’m not a designer buyer. I feel it’s all fluff and not necessary. Most people who buy her name and others are trying to buy a piece of a fantasy. A lifestyle they can only imagine. Same goes for modern day things like hip hop culture and say fubu or and 1 or Jordan’s or you name it. The owners don’t care who has their stuff it’s all about the dollar! Coco was a shrewd business woman in a world at war dominated by men.

Thank you for sharing. It's important to have these topics discussed.

If people really understood where the word Nazi comes from and more the history of the why of that war happened they would probably stop going to church and forget Coco Chanel. They got caught up in a madness having a lot to do with religion. My dad's girlfriend wore Number 5. I always thought it smelled more like a man cologne. Boy shaped clothes and a man cologne just not my thing. I enjoy being a girl. :) Thank you for covering her. I feel bad they took such advantage of her talent.

Thank you for all the effort put into making this video. I can totally see you’ve put a lot of investigative work.

Drug addict - who knew Karen knew - thanks for this one 😊

Thank you for this story. Could you provide us with more stories like this one?

Before Channel there was Paul Poiret....who liberated women from corsets. & gave them pants..he designed loose clothes.& Created perfume & home products ... research needs to be done.😊👌Very complicated & complex woman...

My dear you have opened my eyes and I thank you so much. We need to be honest about our past but we also need to hold people to account. I must say I always hated channel number 5. It was my mothers favourite. If only she had known the truth.

The World War II mentality has been of great influence to the way we feel and think of Europe , In this case France. Racism in France and Classism has been part of their culture and with the help of Political influences and media we have failed to see things for what they are. European Luxury brands have never wanted Minorities as their clients . Today French luxury brands are targeting a diverse group of clients , but remember that all they are doing is washing the face, at the end of the day is the same face that can easily gets soiled. Remember is up to us to stop Hate. Your Money is your Vote, do not spent your hard earned money buying brands with questionable practices and past, nor ever visit places, Restaurants , Etc. where you know you are not welcome. Thank you for such a wonderful and informative Video !!!!

Thanks 4 ur insightful view. Dad was a survivor. Supporting hatred and prejudice on any level is not cool. Appreciate your compassion and truth exposure.

Imagine paying 1500.00 for a purse with a crackhead's name on it

One thing i admire in anyone is being unapologetically true to oneself. She was herself. Did what she had to do in the circumstances to rise above and i salute her always!

My Mom and I love the runway videos on RU-vid. They are the best

Great video very informative I’ve heard this story about her being a Nazi sympathizer before yeah I wouldn’t use her clothes no matter how bougie it is but not only her you know Louis Vuitton Has a very racist history as well

Brilliant video. After watching this I would not be seen dead in anything Chanel

All I know is ….is she was on the side of evil doings back then …what did she think or would have thought of black ppl wearing her designs! She didn’t even actually own her own brand! Honestly again I don’t see how anyone on their right mind could even support her business unless you were ignorant….as they say…ignorance is bliss and ignorant ppl blissfully shop and splurge on items that don’t deserve it!

I'm so glad you RE-UPLOADED this! 😁

I can’t buy Chanel anymore 🥹I have to stand by my beliefs👍🏽 I feel if I continue to support the brand I am supporting the person🤷🏽‍♀️