Synopsis

Coco Chanel is regarded as one of the most fascinating and influential fashion designers of all time. Her creations gave expression and design to a new era of women's fashions and her label has become a paragon of unmistakeable style in the rich world of haute coutoure.

Chanel banished the corset from women's fashion and instead created the bouclé suit and the famous 'little black dress' in her pursuit of expensive simplicity. Her elegant but comfortable clothing stressed the newly-won freedoms of 1920s women and her signature fragrance, Chanel No.5, became irressistible.

Providing the first in-depth look at this influential designer's life and work, the documentary offers extensive and rare archival footage not previously seen. Her passion both for fashion and for life are revealed by Chanel's head designer, Karl Lagerfield, who explains why her simple styles are still an inspiration today.

Art Lives, from Arthaus, is a series of compelling documentaries on artists and art movements released for the first time on DVD in the English language.