Chanel N°5

The word ‘meraki’ is a Greek word which means to put ‘something of yourself’ (1) into what you are doing. For cert, Gabrielle Coco Chanel put a fragrance of her soul into the scent. Consequently, Chanel N°5 became the world’s most famous fragrance.

The fragrance was designed in 1920 by a Russian French perfumer Ernest Beaux. He had asked Chanel’s suggestion for naming the fragrance. She replied: “I always launch my collection on the fifth day of the fifth months, so the number 5 seems to bring me luck--therefore, I will name it N°5.”(2)

It is a combination of different fragrances that form a very subtle concoction. As you breathe it in, its notes change. The ingredients include jasmine, iris, sandalwood and rose. There is a hint of these and other ingredients that combine to form this elixir.

The case has Coco Chanel’s signature colors: black and golden. It is squarish-rectangular bottle. There is a golden band where the cap and the bottle meet. The top of the bottle is embellished with the interlocking CC symbol. All this is enveloped in a slight shine.

The fragrance was used by Marilyn Monroe. It is said that she would wear it in the night. On April, 1952, she was asked “what do you wear to bed?” Her answer was Chanel N°5 “because it’s the...truth”. (3)

This fragrance reminds me of Chanel, the woman who revolutionized the world of women’s fashion and  the woman who said: “The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.” She was truly a gift to this world who shared with this world her gift, her meraki: Chanel N°5.

                                                                                                                              -Kriti Malhotra

References:

(1) http://darlingmagazine.org/in-other-words-meraki/

(2) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Beaux

(3) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo8UtWiYiZI