Coco Chanel Page #5

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It's a bit worn.

It's hardly been worn at all.

It's from Argentina, you know?

I'll give you eighty Francs.

A hundred. Please.

Ninety.

Your collection six months ago

was a catastrophe.

We're still counting the cost.

Now, as your friend

and your business partner...

I can't let you risk another collection.

Now, please, be reasonable.

Oh, have I never been reasonable?

Ever?

I hate the word, I loathe it.

Makes me feel dead inside.

Yes but we're risking everything.

The atelier, I mean, your entire work!

Well, life is risk!

You've been out of

the business for fifteen years.

Fashions have changed, Coco!

Fashion is not only about clothes,

for goodness sake.

Fashion is in the sky,

it's in the street...

it's in... it has to do with ideas,

my dear!

It has to do with what people think

and how they feel and who they are!

Look around you!

Fashion is everywhere!

People only remember

the name Chanel for the perfume!

Well, the scent of Chanel will not be

remembered for much longer either,

if I don't have

more substantial back up.

Woah, what do you mean back up?

Now, what ideas are you brewing,

Mademoiselle?

The same as always, Marc.

The principle that

women have to dress...

themselves,

not for the pleasure of their men!

Do you understand it?

Freedom is... never out of style.

There's not a woman in the world...

who doesn't get up in the morning...

every morning...

looks at herself in the mirror...

and tries to decide what to wear.

My legacy is to clothe those women,

that's it.

Stop trailing after me,

like some jilted lover.

And go look for a solution!

If I'm not mistaken,

that's what I pay you for.

Is it here yet?

Not yet.

Go and check, please.

I already have a solution.

Look, I've looked at this thing from

every conceivable angle, and...

unfortunately, the only solution

for you is to sell.

Sell?

So, that's what we've come to,

have we, Marc?

I have someone who's...

interested.

I could keep my position as director...

to protect the integrity of your name.

Oh... I see you've thought

of everything, huh?

Well, your position, mostly.

Of course, you would remain as the...

creative figurehead of the company.

Figurehead?

Yes.

From your chalet in Saint Moritz...

or your house in Venice.

Time to be with your friends...

time... for yourself.

You've worked hard for this, Coco.

It's a very...

a very tempting proposal, I must admit.

What do you think, Adrienne?

Should we sell?

Should I sell to the highest bidder?

No, you can't be serious.

Why not?

I would have a much more peaceful life

at my chalet in Saint Moritz or

my home in Venice, wouldn't I?

Of course, you'd...

I'm afraid you'd have to...

give up your second collection.

Marc.

Never lay down conditions on me.

Look. If you agree, if...

I'll open negotiations immediately.

See if a suitable arrangement...

can be fixed.

There...

Look over the draft contracts.

And I will call you later.

You don't really intend to sell,

do you?

Why not?

Maybe he's right.

Retire?

That's the furthest thing from my mind.

I have never given up before and

I have no intention of doing it now...

Oh, look at these...

Mademoiselle Chanel

the bailiffs were here.

They wanted to break the door down,

I persuaded them to wait,

but they said they'll be back.

Boy... I-I didn't know

you were in Paris...

Aren't you going to invite me in?

Yes, of course.

How's business?

Oh, very good.

You know, I think this is

really starting to take off.

I hope you are not

disappointed to see me...

No, no... On the contrary.

If you leave me your address,

I'll definitely come and see you.

I'm living at the Ritz.

We're neighbours.

Gabrielle Chanel.

I have a warrant in your name.

I'm required to secure payment

or assets to the value of

five hundred Francs.

One carpet... one round table...

three hats... one lamp.

I'll pay you back every last cent.

I could hardly let them

take away the furniture.

Imagine Balsan sleeping on the floor

next time he visits his apartment.

You left without saying goodbye.

I wrote you a letter.

I never received it.

I never sent it.

What about you?

Have you seen Etienne again?

No.

I thought he was going to marry you.

That was never his real intention.

But I'm grateful to him.

He opened my eyes.

And I'm grateful to you too.

For having believed in me.

And even if I've lost this first round,

I won't give up.

You simply started off

on the wrong foot.

How do you expect customers

to walk up three flights of stairs

and then find themselves in a room

that's colder than the North Pole?

If you want to be successful,

you need a shop...

with a window on a busy street

where people can stop and look...

like this.

I have a proposition for you.

Let's go into business together.

You put in the talent

and I'll put in the money.

Do you want to know what I wrote...

in the letter?

That not a day goes by

when I don't think of you.

Maybe we shouldn't

mix business with pleasure.

You should

have more faith in me, Coco.

I'm not Etienne.

You're not him tonight.

Good night.

I love the way this conforms...

What's going on?

You promised me you wouldn't

put out another collection.

I never promised you a thing.

Well, alright, you...

you led me to believe that.

Well, you wanted to believe it.

Have you... any idea what

I've been through to secure this sale?

Oh, look at this!

Look, every piece made by hand.

It's so exquisite.

Anything worth while is difficult.

You have received a handsome advance

for the sale of your name.

Now... you-you must comply

with the agreement,

otherwise legally you're putting us...

in a very bad position.

Raise your arms, Odette.

You see? It doesn't lose its shape.

And that is... because of the chain.

They'll sue you.

You see? The chain weighs it down.

They'll sue you for every last penny.

I can't bear the jackets

that ride up, can't bag up.

Please pay attention to me

and be serious!?

I'm serious,

I've never been more serious in my life.

What shall we do...

skirt above the knee or below?

What do you think?

Listen.

Listen to me.

I've always been

a loyal friend to you.

Loyal to me or loyal to

the share of profits that I give you?

You're a tough and ungrateful woman.

And whom...

do you seek revenge?

Too many people to count.

Well, there are those...

who you should be grateful to.

I owe nothing... to anyone...

If there are those who have been

close to me - men, women, rich or poor -

it because it was

to their advantage to do so.

The only person

I owe gratitude to is me!

This is Chanel! For a reason.

Now, can we work?!

Don't you have anything more simpler?

If you want simple...

I suggest you buy a pot of paint.

Paint.

White paint.

I simply can't do

anything Monsieur Capel.

Oh, Adrienne!

How wonderful!

What on earth are you doing here?

Boy wanted to surprise you.

He's doing all this for you.

Listen.

Why don't you stay in Paris for a while?

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