In completely uncharacteristic fashion (so to speak, given the subject of this post), I went to a film on opening night: Coco Before Chanel. The line down 58th Street in New York was long and studded with people in pretty outfits, and although I wouldn't call his outfit pretty also in line was the former mayor, Ed Koch. Perfect venue, of course, for a film about the life of Coco Chanel, right around the corner from Bergdorf and such.
I'm not offering a review here, except to say this: people who make themselves, in this case close to literally from whole cloth, are deserve to have films made about them. Coco Chanel's story is improbable--orphaned, poor, and starting from nothing, and fascinating/sad/inspiring, all three in about equal proportions. Go see it and tell me if these scenes stick with you too: her designing a simple black dress for herself then dancing in it with the man she loves while all the other women are in white and froufrou and her sitting on the stairs in a classic Chanel suit at the close of her first fashion show, remembering her life.
