Coco Chanel

• Fashion

Paris fashion designer Coco Chanel was one of the most iconic figures of the 20th-century. The French fashion house that she started, Chanel, is recognized as one of the most established in haute couture and a symbol of sophistication, romance, and glamor.

Hatami was both a personal trusted friend of Mademoiselle Coco Chanel and the photographer of her fashion creations from 1962 until 1969. In this position he had access to private moments, where the fashion designer, notorious for her control over the smallest detail, let her guard down and revealed a tenderness that was often hidden from public view.

These photos display a love and respect for its subject matter born from a close working relationship. They also document the final years of Chanel's life (she passed away in 1971), a period that has been largely ignored by biographers.