Last night I had the pleasure and privilege of attending a preview screening of the new Chanel film, Coco & Igor. The film picks up around the same time as Coco Avant Chanel concluded and through the films are in no way related through writers, directors or the like, it is a continuing journey through the life of this fashion visionary.

The story begins in Paris 1913, where Chanel (Anna Mouglalis) and Boy Capel are lovers and Chanel is driven by her passion for her work. Chanel attends Igor Stravinsky’s (Mads Mikkelsen) opening night performance of The Rite of Spring, a powerful and modern musical ballet. While the audience do not appreciate the performance, writing it off as scandalous, Chanel is enthralled.

The film then skips ahead to 1920 when Chanel is wealthy and successful. She is in mourning after the loss of her lover (where Coco Avant Chanel concluded) while Igor and his family are living a penniless existence in a hotel after the Russian Revolution. Their introduction immediately sets wheels in motion for a tumultuous love affair, played out at Chanel’s villa on the outskirts of Paris.

While we get to see Chanel’s impeccable taste in fashion and Stravinsky’s modern and unusual musical styling’s, the film is also about emotion, longing and loss. A particular highlight for me was the inclusion of the process of creation of Chanel’s signature perfume, Chanel No. 5 and the flawless nature of the Chanel brand, down to personal inspection of the salesgirls before trade began for the day.  

If you enjoyed Coco Avant Chanel, expect something slightly more dark and foreboding but still a worthy way to spend two hours. Fashionable, arty and educational.