Karl’s quote is steeped in decades of stereotypes (among other smelly things) about feminsim and the women’t movement. Coco Chanel was a feminist due to the very fact that she designed for women, liberated women’s fashion and stood up for her beliefs and style. She may not have referred to herself as such, but the very fabric of which she was made and lived her life by, is cut from the cloth of feminist before her and after her.
As a Women’s Studies minor in college, feminism and the study of women is very important to me. The misinterpretation of feminism is something that happens all the time and clarifying precisely what it is and why it has nothing to do with being fat, a spinster, a lesbian or ugly is integral, not just to elderly fashion designers but to everyone.
Since the women’s liberation movements of the 20s, 60s and today, feminism has been met with a backlash that has made heinous claims against a cause designed to end and obliterate sexism against women and men. Feminists from Susan B Anthony to Gloria Steinem have been cast with insults: man-haters, “too ugly to get a man”, bra-burners, spinster, cat-lady, fat, lesbo, you name it. An association with feminism or an interest ultimately gets you the same labels.
In my humble opinion, everyone is a feminist. Not just women, but men who love women, men who love men and anyone who doesn’t want to be discriminated against simply because of what’s between their legs. And that includes Coco as well. As for Karl, he may be the one exception seeing as anyone with enough balls to say such a thing (even if it is someone else’s ”words”) deserves only one label and that’s “ass.”
Since Karl clearly has the ability to speak with the dead and knows what Mademoiselle Chanel thought herself as, maybe he should get out of the fashion business and join Letoya her psyhic friend Miss Cleo, where his skills would be better suited.
What do you think of Karl’s “Coco quote”? What comes to mind when you hear the word “feminism”?
Oh, Karl Lagerfield. You’re so asinine, and yet people still love you.
I strongly self-identify as feminist. I grew up in a really, really small conservative town and I don’t think a lot of people realize what it’s like in those towns in the midwest, not to mention the fact that sexism is still very steeped in our culture.
@Michelle: Assinine is right! I agree that sexism is built into our culture, but I really hate when people perpetuate the stereotypes of feminist
[...] Ms. Thought has some Stylish Thoughts on…Coco, Karl, and Feminism. [...]
It seems like the recent generation has just dropped the ball on the feminist movement. If anyone thinks that the fight is over and that women are not discriminated against, they are sadly mistaken.
Along the way anti-equality notions of feminism being “ugly” has given way to a generation (or even more) of women fearing being labelled feminist because it is seen as “un-hip”, “ugly” and “hating”… so wrong.
feminism is believing and fighting for equality. The fact that self-respecting modern woman don’t believe that they are equal and should have equal rights just like any man is crazy. Personally, i think they do believe it in thier hearts, but because the word feminist had become so “dirty” they just refuse to associate with the term.
A new feminist movement has to gain popularity, starting with shedding the dirty propaganda placed on the term.
I, for one, will fight that fight and am shocked by any woman who would not want to join in as well.
Thanks so much for posting about this subject and hopefully raising a little more interest in feminism and the idea that rights and equality are about as cool and fashion forward as it gets!
[...] Stylish Thought – Stylish Thoughts on Coco, Karl & Feminism [...]
[...] Stylish Thought – Stylish Thoughts on Coco, Karl & Feminism [...]
[...] Stylish Thought – Stylish Thoughts on Coco, Karl & Feminism [...]
[...] Stylish Thought – Stylish Thoughts on Coco, Karl & Feminism [...]
[...] Stylish Thought – Stylish Thoughts on Coco, Karl & Feminism [...]
[...] Stylish Thought – Stylish Thoughts on Coco, Karl & Feminism [...]
[...] Stylish Thought – Stylish Thoughts on Coco, Karl & Feminism [...]
yeah, I didn’t like that quote. I read that in Bazaar as well. I consider myself a quasi-feminist…I just don’t like how the female body is so often exploited, even if it is for the sake of fashion. I don’t think everyone’s a feminist…it really doesn’t seem that way. Feminists respect women and assholes take advantage of them.
Also, I really don’t understand why people love the Kaiser so much. He’s a huge douchebag and his designs are boring…
[...] Stylish Thought – Stylish Thoughts on Coco, Karl & Feminism [...]
[...] Stylish Thought – Stylish Thoughts on Coco, Karl & Feminism [...]
[...] Stylish Thought – Stylish Thoughts on Coco, Karl & Feminism [...]
@Kristen: I agree wholeheartedly. I think there is a serious disconnect with the current generation of women and feminism. It seems that they think the fight is over, and it’s truly not!
@Lucy: His legions of fans don’t realize that he’s a sexist, agist and sizist. While I love Chanel, I’m not a Lagerfeld stan
[...] STYLISH THOUGHT – Stylish Thoughts on Coco, Karl & Feminism [...]
[...] Stylish Thought – Stylish Thoughts on Coco, Karl & Feminism. [...]
[...] Stylish Thought – Stylish Thoughts on Coco, Karl & Feminism [...]
[...] Stylish Thought – Stylish Thoughts on Coco, Karl & Feminism [...]
[...] Stylish Thought – Stylish Thoughts on Coco, Karl & Feminism [...]