Coco Before Chanel DVD Giveaway!

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“What inspired you to become a refashionista?”

This question comes up fairly frequently in conversations.

You can read the “About Me” section on my blog to get a bit of the ideas behind my motivation, but a big inspiration was this movie:

English Translation: Coco before Chanel

Coco Before Chanel (Starring the divine Audrey Tautou of Amelie fame) tells the story of Coco Chanel’s life from her childhood in an orphanage (where she learned how to sew), to the beginnings of her great fashion empire.

The scene that especially inspired me was where she was living with the Baron Balsan in his Chateau, and wanted to hang out with his wealthy socialite friends. Balsan bought her this expensive, verrrrry ornate dress for the occasion. She hates it. Rather than wear it, she takes apart one of his dress shirts and one of her plain dresses, and turns these pieces into a new dress that suited her and looked amazing. What could be more elegant?

This is what I wanted to do. I didn’t want to settle for clothing I wasn’t all that into when I knew I could creatively reconstruct things I would really feel happy in. I, of course, don’t have 1/1000th of the skill of Ms. Chanel, but that doesn’t mean I can’t create a wardrobe for myself that I actually enjoy.

I want to pass this inspiration on to a lucky reader. Just leave a comment on this post between today (Dec 10) and next Thursday (December 16). A random winner will be announced next Friday (December 17)! If you are selected, I will ship a brand spanking new copy (DVD) of this wonderful film to you, no matter where you live (even overseas)…just in time for Christmas! Good Luck!

You know you’d like to win me!

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21 Responses to Coco Before Chanel DVD Giveaway!

Have been wanting to see this movie. Thanks for sharing your inspiration!

Pick me! Pick me! I once remade one of my grandma’s dresses from her days as a school teacher because I didn’t like the dress options in the stores.

When I get your emails, I love what I see! Merry Christmas and I hope I win!

Congrats Sherry! You’re the lucky winner! 🙂

I started reading your blog when I found it on a friend’s facebook page. I was intrigued from the get-go with the imaginative ways you create new looks from old or somewhat atrocious clothes. I think I secretively hope that I will be inspired to get out my sewing machine and try some creative styling of my own. The sewing machine has been drawing dust for quite some time now, and I need some inspiration to get it going again. I have not seen the movie that inspired you, but it sounds amazing. I hope to be seeing it soon!

I love your blog! I have to admit that there are a lot less clothes being sent off to Salvation Army because I’m suddenly seeing them in new ways, not just as refashioned tops and dresses but pillows, purses, etc. Thanks forgetting my jazzed on being creative again. Oh! And Coco! I haven’t seen the film but I sure would love to.

Also don’t worry. I’ve already made a cash donation to the wonderful Salvation Army and will do more later when I see how my account survived Christmas.

I found you on Marisa’s blog and added your blog to my blogroll almost immediately … I really like the writing that accompanies your projects, but, most of all, I think your re-fashioned clothes look really AMAZING.

I do some small-scale re-fashioning myself, the most important aspect of it being: before you throw it out because you’ve never worn it, how about changing it? It is really great to know someone else is asking the question as well …

I so much enjoy getting your email showing your latest creation. I don’t remember where I found out about you, but I look forward to seeing your latest outfit. I used to sew many years ago before I went back to work and now am looking forward to retiring in a few years and know what I’m going to be doing. I’ve started looking at thrift shops for possible new creations to remake. This is a great idea. Thanks for sharing!

I haven’t seen this movie yet, so clearly I should be the winner! Love your blog, even tho they don’t let me near sewing machines anymore (“for your own safety”). Cheers!

I also found out about your blog from one of my friends on Facebook, love the reconstructed looks. I would love to win this DVD. THANKS!

Jumping in to add my name for the drawing.

I love inspirational movies, but you’re inspiration yourself, you know?

Wow, I love her soooo much. I idolize her style, strength and everything she represents. I have a collection of her perfumes, and one day I hope to own a handbag …nekitee@yahoo.com

I know how you feel! Chanel Allure is my favorite scent of all time. 🙂

I’ve got plenty of stuff you could sink your sewing needles into!

Love your blog! You are a creative inspiration!

Stumbled across your site a few weeks ago and immediately made it one of my favorites. Enjoying the fun & fashion you come up with. It’s great to see I’m not the only one who re-thinks, re-purposes & re-fashions what would otherwise be discarded. Keep it up!

I just stumbled onto your blog today and love the creativity that you show in your posts. I just recently bought an old sewing machine from a friend and could use all the tips I can get!! I was so excited to see this contest wasn’t over because I have been dying to see this movie!

I have never seen this, but now I really want to! If I win, after I’ve watched it, I’d like to pass onto someone else too.. sounds great!

I want to see this movie!! I love your blog, and it is inspiring me to more exciting refashions. For a couple of years, maybe more, I’ve done simple things like cut off necklines and sleeves in tees, making them shorter, adding a ribbon or something to them. But I’m ready to go on bigger and better projects!! Keep up the good work.

Hi! I just discovered your blog after reading your comment on the NYTimes Tim Gunn article. I very recently became the owner of a sewing machine (my first!) and am just learning how to sew and find your blog really interesting and inspiring. Keep up the good creative work! Thanks for the opportunity to win the movie!

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Coco Before Chanel DVD Giveaway! | ReFashionista