When Sam Taylor-Johnson climbed the famous mirrored staircase of Chanel s headquarters at 31 Rue Cambon, Paris,
she did not quite know what to expect. Her destination was Coco Chanel s private apartment on the second floor; her
mission, to photograph it. Through the door marked MADEMOISELLE PRIVÉ , Taylor-Johnson entered Coco Chanel s
secret world exactly as she had left it at her death in 1971. Taylor-Johnson captures the mysterious, eerie presence
of Coco's ornaments and furniture: a golden lion, a bejewelled birdcage, leather-bound books, Chinese lacquer
screens, crystal chandeliers. Ultimately we are left with a sense of beautiful emptiness Coco s touch is everywhere,
but everywhere is haunted by her absence.
she did not quite know what to expect. Her destination was Coco Chanel s private apartment on the second floor; her
mission, to photograph it. Through the door marked MADEMOISELLE PRIVÉ , Taylor-Johnson entered Coco Chanel s
secret world exactly as she had left it at her death in 1971. Taylor-Johnson captures the mysterious, eerie presence
of Coco's ornaments and furniture: a golden lion, a bejewelled birdcage, leather-bound books, Chinese lacquer
screens, crystal chandeliers. Ultimately we are left with a sense of beautiful emptiness Coco s touch is everywhere,
but everywhere is haunted by her absence.