The Cherished Belongings of Coco Chanel

Roland Bather introduced the well-known classic author in 1967; Coco Chanel. Little did he know that other than being an author and a designer, Gabrielle Chanel was a prolific reader. In the gallery of Venice's Ca'Pesaro, an exhibition on Culture Chanel:La Dona Che Legge or The Women Who Reads collected the rich collection of literature consumed by the artist within her lifetime.

Headless Venus

Genica Athanasiou Designed by Chanel

Detail of Aubazine Abbey Pavement

Lewis & Irene by Paul Morand

The Professional Secret Paris

Cométe Brooch

Beach at Saint Jean-de-Luz, c. 1916

Reclining Woman Reading

Dada Flyer

Pierre Reverdy, Paris.

Pierre Reverdy in His House

No. 5 Perfume Label

Out of 350 objects, it was then that Coco Chanel's Favourite Things were collected.

1. Lewis & Irène by Paul Morand.

The book that was kept by Chanel within her library. On the page has a dedication written; "This Lewis - who is a bit like Boy Capel", of Chanel's lover and husband Arthur 'Boy' Capel. Paul Morand saw both Chanel & Capel as an inspiration for the book, both were admired which then became a novel of passionate, tormented love. On the endpaper of this book, Chanel wrote a letter "C" with a pencil.

2. 'Papillons Dada'

Gabrielle Chanel was deeply intertwined with the major creative explosion of the Dada in Paris. Such so, the making of her first fragrance in 1921 was a profound movement for her, has such a great influence on her. Chanel's No. 5 sits next to a collection that was treasured by Papillon Dada or Dada Butterflies.

3. Poetry of Pierre Reverdy

Pierre Reverdy was a french poet and Chanel's first lover (1889 - 1960) after Boy Capel. Although their mutual love have endured, before his death he wrote a final poem to Chanel and his last word was; "know you are loved"

4. Cocteau Costumes

Antigone (1922) & Oedipus Rex (1937) was written and directed by poet Jean Cocteau, which Chanel designed costumes for its casts. Her recognition on clean lines and silhouettes made her renowned, as her work often linked to classical antiquity; her experience in interpreting classical texts for modern stage was a powerful facilitation in engaging with them.

5. The Cométe Brooch

Mosaic pavement of crescent moons, stars and templar symbols has continually made Chanel inspired. The Aubazine orphanage, which where she spent some of her childhood times, was surrounded by such mosaic pavements. Her collection of Bjoux de Diamonds was filled with motifs that are celestial. The Cométe Brooch contained a large number of symbolic importance for Chanel - a piece of her childhood, but also a sign for potential future she has.