Coco Chanel’s lessons on brand
Given branding is simply the art of differentiation, there is many a lesson to be learnt from the inspiring Gabrielle Chanel – a young woman who wasn’t afraid to be different and challenge the status quo.
Branding Before Breakfast Ep 119 Coco Chanel’s lessons on brand
Hi, everyone. I’m Jodie. I’m the MD at Tiny Hunter.
Now, in 1932, there was a woman born called Gabrielle Chanel. Sound familiar? Yes. She did become the very famous Coco Chanel. Now, she was born an orphan, and she was raised by nuns in the orphanage, they found her quite different from the other girls, and she went on to become an incredible fashion icon. So, she revolutionised the way women were dressed. She could see, they were in these tight closets and really decorative clothes, and she brought in a whole new style that was much more modern and simple and unlike anything anyone had seen before.
Now, there’s a lot that can be learned from her when it comes to branding. So, one of her famous quotes is “The most courageous act is still to think for yourself, aloud”.
And this is what she really did when she revolutionised fashion. She really thought for herself, she did not hold back, she was brave, and she really changed fashion for the entire world.
So, what is it that you stand for? That you’re willing to say out loud, stand behind bravely and that will draw people to you? People want you to stand for something. Another one of her famous quotes, which I love and is very relevant is, “In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different”.
So, as we all know, if you listen to us, on this series, is that branding is literally the act of differentiation. So, if you want to be irreplaceable as a brand and as a business, you have to be different. So, how are you different? And then the last quote that I wanted to share is, “Elegance is refusal”.
And this is really important as well, because even more so than what you do say, and do, and stand for is what you don’t say, and do, and stand for. So, the things that you are saying “no to”, are such a huge part of who you are as a brand and as a business.
So, I think we can all draw a little inspiration today from Mademoiselle Chanel.
That’s it for me. It’s time for brekkie.
Written by: Jodie de Vries
Published: August 3, 2022