In the movie, at least, she seemed to have a VERY extravagant lifestyle, prior to the release of her iconic perfume. She had a very large house, chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce, and a large house staff. Seems like a lot from a single clothing shop, even a moderately successful one.
shareAs I understand it, Chanel came from rock-bottom poverty and was basically self-made.
There, daddy, do I get a gold star?
Thanks. Apparently not. I just read her Wikpedia bio. If that's correct, she DID start life in abject poverty (living in an orphanage for 6 years after mom died, and father left).
But after a failed attempt as a cabaret singer, she became a mistress/prostitute to two men, the latter financing her first few shops and from whom she got some of her trademark designs.
I was surprised that by 1920, she was that wealthy. I thought that during WWI she remained in Deauville where her dress designs caught on. Then, she returned to Paris after the war ended, 1918 or 1919.
Her deal with the perfumer is another interesting story.
"Two more swords and I'll be Queen of the Monkey People." Roseanne
She lived in a time without rampant runaway inflation (like now). Money was worth more and it bought more than it does now.
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"ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED??!!"
Maximus Decimus Meridius
There was rampant, runaway inflation in Germany following WWI. money was not 'worth more' back then. Chanel was rich. By 1920, her designs were being already being mass produced. Chanel No5 made her richer still, but she was already extremely wealthy by the early '20s.
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