Chanel ·
Coco Chanel ·
The first model Coco Chanel
Coco Chanel's first model was a Russian aristocrat: take a look and you'll see why every fashion designer once worked with a fashion model. Who did Coco Chanel make contact with? Telling Coco Chanel's life is a visual representation of how dreams can come true if you don't give up. When the fashion designer became famous around the world, thousands of models waited in line, hoping to work with her. But have you ever wondered who the first model Koko dressed in her outfits was? And now we know. And I'm prepared to tell you. Mary Eristavi was this "someone" (nee Shervashidze). Mary is the last Russian Empress Alexandra Feodorovna's maid of honor. Batumi is where the girl was born. Princess Maria (Mary) Eristova's father was Georgian prince Prokofy Shervashidze, a member of the State Duma. As a result, the princess was raised in St. Petersburg. She became the maid of honor to the last Empress Alexandra Feodorovna and lived surrounded by admirers who were awestruck by her oriental beauty and refined manners. The emperor himself complimented her on her thinness and refinement.
Following the 1917 revolution, Mary Eristova and her family relocated to Tiflis, then to Paris. A carefree aristocratic life was out of the question under the difficult conditions of emigration. The princess started looking for work. She met Prince Dmitry Pavlovich, a former lover of Coco Chanel, who introduced her to a French fashion designer. As a result, Mary Eristova, a brunette with a textured Caucasian appearance, became the face of Chanel. Furthermore, Mademoiselle Coco was flattered that a genuine Russian princess would collaborate with her. Eristova quickly rose to prominence not only as a model on European catwalks, but also as a successful socialite, appearing at fashion shows, cultural events, and dinner parties.
She was adored and applauded. It's interesting that Mary didn't feel herself in Paris, despite having spent her entire life in this city and country