Unveiling Coco Chanel’s Dark Past Insights from The New Look

Apple TV+ series “The New Look” delves into the untold story of Coco Chanel’s collaboration with the Nazis, shedding light on her controversial role as a secret informant and spy during World War II.

A Complex Portrait

Unlike previous portrayals of Chanel as a visionary artist or resilient icon, “The New Look” presents a more nuanced perspective, depicting her as a clandestine agent for Nazi intelligence. While the series primarily focuses on Christian Dior’s post-war fashion revolution, it also explores Chanel’s covert activities and attempts to conceal her wartime actions.

Chanel’s Alleged Collaboration

The extent of Chanel’s involvement with the Nazis was first revealed in Hal Vaughan’s book “Sleeping with the Enemy: Coco Chanel’s Secret War,” published in 2011. Drawing from declassified documents, Vaughan uncovered evidence suggesting that Chanel willingly cooperated with Nazi operatives and harbored anti-Semitic beliefs.

Antisemitism and Influence

Chanel’s upbringing in Catholic institutions exposed her to pervasive antisemitism, shaping her worldview. Vaughan contends that her disdain for Jews was well-documented and influenced her actions during the war. Despite closing her couture house at the outbreak of hostilities, Chanel’s connections with high-ranking Nazi officials, including Baron Hans Günther Von Dincklage, facilitated her collaboration with the regime.

Exploiting Opportunities

Chanel leveraged her relationship with Von Dincklage to secure favors from the Nazis, such as the release of her imprisoned nephew and efforts to reclaim her perfume company from Jewish business partners. She capitalized on Nazi policies targeting Jewish-owned businesses to regain control of her brand, demonstrating a willingness to exploit the political climate for personal gain.

Operation Modelhut

Chanel’s involvement with the Nazis culminated in Operation Modelhut, a failed espionage mission orchestrated by Nazi intelligence. Tasked with delivering a message to Winston Churchill on behalf of the Nazis, Chanel’s role as a covert agent was exposed when her intermediary denounced her actions. Despite her subsequent arrest and interrogation, Chanel avoided prosecution and maintained her innocence.

Legacy and Controversy

Chanel’s wartime collaboration remained obscured until Vaughan’s revelations brought them to light. While the Chanel Group acknowledged her association with Von Dincklage, it downplayed her involvement with the Nazis. Despite facing scrutiny and criticism, Chanel continued her fashion legacy after the war, leaving behind a complicated legacy tainted by her wartime activities.

As “The New Look” explores Chanel’s enigmatic past, it prompts audiences to reconsider the complexities of her life and legacy beyond her iconic contributions to fashion.