Monthly Archives from March 2006



Chanel No5 Retrospective II: Sem Makes Fun of Coco Chanel {Perfume Images}


Coco-Chanel-Sem.jpg
Here is a caricature of Coco Chanel by Sem (Georges Goursat) dating from 1923 which makes fun of the great couturière. He turns her first name into a dirge, in reference to the origins of her nickname: Coco stuck with Gabrielle Chanel after a song she used to perform in a cabaret in her youth.

In 1923, two years only after the official launch of the No5 by Chanel, the perfume bottle shaped after the Place Vendôme in Paris is showcased already hinting at its future iconic career....

Je le déclare sans vergogne
Il n'y a rien de moins coco
Qu'une toilette de Coco
Parfumée à l'eau de Coco...
De Coco...de Cocologne

Marquise de la Flaconnerie*

I say it shamelessly
There is nothing less coco
Than an array by Coco
Scented with the eau de Coco...
De Coco...de Cocologne

Marquess of Bottlebsbury

*There is a double play on word here as "connerie" in slang means bullshit or something crassly stupid.

Photo credit: Kunst für Alle


You can take a look at a previous post on commercials for Chanel No5 from the 1970s

Post a comment

Latest Comments

Fin O'Suilleabhain on Les Exclusifs: Bel Respiro, No 18, & 28 La Pausa by Chanel {Perfume Review & Musings} {New Perfumes} : Hi ... can I ask about the Stravinsky / Chanel image. Is ...

Thalestris Dupont on Fragonard Caresse (1929/2008) {Perfume Review} : Lovely perfume! Reminds me of the spring 2011 when I was wearing ...

Karen Lindsey on Long Lost Crabtree & Evelyn Fragrance: Help Please {Ask The Readers} : I just found this site and I so need to find someone ...

Regina on Happy New Year 2012! : Valentine's Day will soon be here. Any recommendations?

C Sasich on Easy Tricks To Create Golden Globes Hairstyles! {Beauty Notes - Hair} : My fave was Michelle Williams - modern , effortless not overdone . ...

kelvin neo on Victoria's Secret Life is Pink Wish Pink, Live Pink, Hope Pink (2010) *New Fragrances* : Hi good day, Can i know where can purchase or order Pink ...

Alan on A Funny Post About Scented Candles {Fragrant Reading} : Hell-scent candle, lol.

Gina on Two Organic Oud Scents: Sama Oudh Jasmin & Undergreen Black Classic (2011) {New Perfumes} : I want to try Sama Oudh Jasmin but checked the websites. I ...

Tammy on Top 12 Best New Department Store Fragrances of 2011 for the Holidays {Perfume List} : Wish this came with a little print out sheet for my next ...

Toñi on Dance with Givenchy (2010) {New Perfume} : Where can I get Dance with Givenchy? It's impossible to find it ...

Toñi on Dance with Givenchy (2010) {New Perfume} : Where can I get Dance with Givenchy? It's impossible to find it ...

evageli karounzou on Choppy Waters for Stella Cadente Miss Me {Fragrance News} : at 2007 i was in paris an i bought this perfume.Since then ...

Mandy Aftel on Aftelier Perfumes Secret Garden (2011): Featuring Real Civet & Castoreum {New Fragrance} : Thank you so much Marie-Helene for your lovely review! You are great ...

Kay on Mona di Orio Chamarré (2009): Perfume Review in Memoriam : This is very interesting. First thing that came to my mind when ...

Maddy on Bint el Sudan, The Other, African Chanel No.5: Interview with Nick Evans of International Flavors & Fragrances, Inc. {Perfume Q & A - The Scents of Africa} : Interesting post. I've lived in Ghana but I don't remember encountering anyone ...

Recent Posts

All original content and translations herein copyright © 2006. All rights reserved; reproduction requires the author’s prior written consent.
You are however welcome to provide a link back to the posts on this site as long as you explicitly mention their authorship, recognize the original source of the information you give, and acknowledge the site of origin.

Powered by
Movable Type 4.32-en