Jeffie Pike Durham, the daughter and the archivist of the Californian artist, Marion Pike, managed to put together an exhibition called Coco Chanel: A New Portrait by Marion Pike, Paris 1967-71, consisting of five portraits of her mother’s dear friend, Gabrielle “Coco” Bonheur Chanel. The portraits have never been presented together, so far. In addition, the exhibition will showcase also a couple of couture pieces designed by Coco specially for Marion Pike and her daughter. The works of art surprise the life stories and the friendship of the these two creative and talented minds, that shared together a very deep connection.
The two women met back in 1967, when Marion Pike painted Coco’s portrait. She became a very good friend of the designer, spending, at a certain point, seven months in Paris, observing Coco’s work. After the long visit, the artist, being asked by the Los Angeles Times, how did she feel like observing Chanel’s creative process, explained: “The atmosphere was frayed nerves, excitement, enthusiasm, frustration, gloom, and energy. It was watching the creation of art in its purest sense.”
The wonderful Coco Chanel exhibition, curated by Amy de la Haye, will be hosted by the London Colllege of Fashion, at the Fashion Space Gallery. The exhibits can be admired starting September 5th.
