Black and White: - Creaitivity in Contrast

 

As a society, we learn by imitation which increases the importance of women who TURN UP inspiration and influence. It is that simple and that sexy, simply put, simply sexy. There are only two requirements, which as women we have all inherited and that is beauty and brains and we need to be unapologetic in using them for the advancement of our communities and ourselves. We need to learn to use them to pioneer new breakthroughs.

 

Coco Chanel represents a new freedom, an emancipation that women should invest in cultivating their internal and external beauties. Her couture represented a harmony and a beauty in contrast, sporty chic, with the emphasis of black and white. She reminds me that we am both our defeats and opportunities, weaknesses and strengths and these are important in how we show myself to the world. Coco Chanel once said that Elegance comes from being as beautiful inside as outside. Elegance springs from confidence, not insecurity. It comes as a result of being at peace with oneself, of having accepted your shortcomings as well as your brilliance and carrying yourself through life at your own rhythm and not the one imposed by fear. A little fight is the spice that strengthens a society as it is through the tough times that we are developed. Coco reminds us to take ownership of those tough times because an inspirational story is always rooted in how we overcome the trials and tribulations.

 

Well known for saying; “luxury must be comfortable otherwise it is not luxury” Chanel endured a childhood far from comfort or luxury. She was born out of wedlock; Her mother died when she was only eleven and soon after her father abandoned her at an orphanage called Aubazine and never looked back.  At Aubazine she learnt how to sew and although initially she was an aspiring performer singing in cabarets it was the skill in sewing that slung her to significance.  She started her entrepreneurial journey selling hats at the age of twenty seven. She found herself in the general clothing industry by accident when she wore an old jersey as a dress and styled it accordingly. She received such a great response from that and the jersey dress was born. She revolutionized fashion by liberating women from the constraints of the corset. and  In the 1920’s she launched the Chanel suit and The Little Black dress.

 

Coco Chanel was exceedingly insightful and we would like to unpack some of the quotes

that she is well known for.

 

 

• Don’t spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door

Some people not only believe, they pursue an opportunity even if the opportunity does not exist. Although in life we are taught to have a bulldozer mentality sometimes that very life does not allow those opportunities for us. We need to recognize early when an opportunity is accomplishable or not.

 

• A woman is first and foremost a Creator of Life — whether it is through a baby, a project, a business, a home, a piece of art, an adventure, a job, a creative rebellion or any other life-giving act. She is the vessel through which LIFE enters the world, in one shape or another, seeking to find its most beautiful, fulfilled expression. And secondly, she is a nurturer of the life that she helps channel.

 

We love this quote as it inspires young women to believe that they have the power to construct, create, design and innovate and not just maternally. Women who choose a life dedicated to raising their children is respectable however she does not have to be confined to that if she sees herself significant in other activities as well. The life that the woman brings into the world maybe commercial, it may be a movement, it maybe leadership. Secondly this ability must be nurtured. Women are natural caregivers and we have the ability to raise and care for our creation from childhood to adulthood. In 2015 some women are tethered by the ties of tradition a cause for which Chimamanda is currently fighting for and Condelezza Rice fought for.

 

• This is, after all, the most important lesson of my life: that no matter what I encounter on my 80-year journey (or less) on this planet, I am ALWAYS the director of my movie, the writer of my book, the main character of my story, the designer of my life, and the ultimate architect of my destiny; and that I don’t just have the power but also the responsibility to demand and help create the world I need to live in.

 

This quote we have heard before in some form or another. However if it has not penetrated we do not apply it. The foundation of this quote is having the utmost control (power) of the life that we live and secondly the responsibility that we have in this life. All three women profiled this week have gone against the tide and achieved accolades through great opposition. That is the essence of having control in achieving your achievements. Secondly the responsibility comes through the impact of their actions on their society as well as playing a part in creating a suitable world to live in responsibly

 

 

She is the only fashion designer listed on Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century.‪