Reading Reflection

Gabrielle Chanel cultivated the face of elegance through her brand, Chanel. A fashion icon with such a controversial history. What surprised me most is the hidden details of the life of, who we all know as Coco Chanel, had affairs with a Nazi spy. This is one of the things I least admire about her, but although this is now common knowledge, it is not something that discourages women from purchasing her goods. The quality and the belief behind the products are worth the politics. What I admire about Coco Chanel is her undeniable fashion forwardness. She was able to change the way fashion is perceived in modern day. From the more conservativeness of the early 1900's to the less constraining and more socially acceptable of today's fashion, we have but Coco Chanel to thank. The double C's can be found worldwide and are synonymous with poise, grace, and class. She has turned a single boutique into a national empire, a little black dress into a staple garment in every woman's wardrobe and Chanel No. 5 into a signature scent.  Her entrepreneurship skills, especially as a female in the beginning of the 20th century, are unmatched. Coco Chanel is most often quoted by the saying "Success is most often achieved by those who don't know that failure is inevitable." Her failure was in her companionships. She often would hang around those who caused trouble to her personal life. Her failures include her sneaky business with Jewish business owners who, at the time of the Nazis, were run out of their business by law. Chanel sought her way to gain back her Chanel No. 5 ownership and stopped at nothing to get it. Her dedication to herself is admirable, but her means at which getting to the top are not.
Chanel was a profound networker. Her beauty, passion, and interest in people and their exchanges were especially beneficial in her company. She always knew who to talk to and how to talk to them to get what she wanted out of the transaction. What was confusing to be was how she was able to do so without any consequences.
If I was able to ask Gabrielle Chanel anything it would be what her feelings are on today's fashion scene? I would also like to know with the recent passing of Karl Lagerfeld what her thoughts are on the passing down of her empire to Virginie Viard.
I believe Chanel's idea of hard work was difficult to assess. She didn't have things handed to her per say, but she wouldn't have ever gotten as far as she has without the helping of her "connections". Her hard work was put into her changing the vision of the fashion industry. That takes decades to do and can only be done through hard work, dedication, persistence, assurance and resistance, which she very much held. I can agree with this view point. An entrepreneur needs these characteristics and many more if they want to succeed. They cannot lack any strong qualities and must be confident in their actions. Coco always had this even if it was in a risky transaction.