No. 5

They say people associate certain odours with certain persons, objects and memories. 

I associate one particular perfume with one of my aunts, because she usually "wears" it at special events. And that's how I first knew about Coco Chanel and thought, "wow, how cool that person must be to call him/herself like an exotic fruit!" Coincidentally, I love coco, so that person gained a place in my ranking of top people. Aaah.. kids' stuff.. When I later knew it wasn't her real name (when I knew it was actually a woman)...

Gabrielle Chanel was a cabaret singer and used to perform “Ko Ko Ri Ko” and “Qui qu’a vu Coco?” Later, the audience began calling her “Coco,” the refrain in both songs. I've also found on Internet that all that is a popular story, that actually Coco comes from "coquette" (flirt).

For the first time, the most feminine fragance in the world to be represented by a man... who? ;)

Mademoiselle Chanel used to describe No. 5 as "a woman's perfume with a woman's scent." And she added, "a woman's scent should be as important as her style of dress."

The chemical formula for Chanel No. 5 was created in 1921 by Russian-French chemist and perfumer Ernest Beaux. Until today, it is the best-selling and most famous frangance in the world.

 

But, why that name, that mysterious code of No. 5? 

Mademoiselle Chanel preferred the 5th perfume sample Beaux presented to her (among over other 80 scents).  Others say that it's because of her belief in the magical luck-giving quality of number 5. Besides, according to wikipedia, she chose no. 5 because "I present my dress collections on the fifth of May, the fifth month of the year and so we will let this sample number five keep the name it has already, it will bring good luck." 

Oh, J'adore  Audrey Tatou's performing "Qui qu'a vu Coco", 

in the movie Coco before Chanel (Coco avant Chanel).

So... 

what's your scent? 

 

Video about Chanel No. 5 by Chanel

Info: appellation mountain, thepopcan

Image: newlydomesticated, visionaryartistrymag, moviechopshop

Un señor y otras historias griegas

"ZORBA ME MOLA."

Eso fue lo que dijo un señor tras ver Zorba el Griego, estrenada en 1964 y adaptación de una novela del mismo nombre, escrita por Nikos Kazantzakis. Cuenta la historia de "un personaje casi místico, luchador, amante de la vida, con ganas de progresar y de transmitir esfuerzo y alegría" que le cambia la vida a Basil, un tímido escritor inglés que llega a Creta por motivos de trabajo. Este espíritu carpediem fue transmitido a su vez a ese señor espectador, el cual justamente, buscaba un nombre para su primer (y único...) negocio. Así que fue corriendo a registrar el nombre pero la motivación le duró poco porque Zorba ya estaba registrado como marca y patente. Pero, al igual que Zorba, no se dio por vencido y se puso a jugar con las letras, a consultarlo con su gente y con la almohada.... hasta que dio con una preciosa palabra que a día de hoy asociamos con exitazo seguro: ZARA. 

*Curiosidades lingüísticas:

1. zara (del quechua "sara") f. *Maíz (planta gramínea).

       2. zara (del hebreo) La llena de luz ; llena de flores, florecer o florida.

*Curiosidad cinematográfica: 
El papel protagonista de Zorba supuso para el actor Anthony Quinn el exitazo de su carrera.

 Zorba (Anthony Quinn) and Basil (Alan Bates) dancing on the beach. 

Were they the pioneers of Gagnamstyle's philosophy?: 
"Dress Classy and Dance Cheesy."

SHALL WE DANCE?

 ///

"ZORBA IS COOL."

That's what a man said after watching Zorba The Greek, released in 1964 and a novel adaptation of the same name, written by Nikos Kazantzakis. It tells the story of "a character almost mystical, fighter, life lover, with passion for progress, effort and joy" who changes the life of Basil, a shy English writer who arrives to Crete on a matter of business. Such carpediem spirit was transmitted at the same time to that spectator, who was just looking for a name for his first (and only one...) business. So he hurried up and register the name but sadly found that the name was already registered as a brand and patent. However, like Zorba, he did not give up and started to play with the letters, to ask for advice from his people... until he bumped into a beautiful name, that we link today to a guaranteed success: ZARA. 

*Linguistic curiosity:

1. ZARA (Arabic: زهرة, Hebrew: זָרָה): Compare with masculine Zara.
   1. Hebrew name meaning "stranger." 
   2. Variant spelling of Arabic Zahrah, meaning "blooming flower."
    
2. ZARAMAMA: Quechua myth name of the Inca goddess of grain, meaning "grainmother." 

*Movie curiosity:
Leading role of Zorba brought Anthony Quinn the biggest success of his entire career.
  
 
Info: "Zara. Visión y estrategia de AMANCIO ORTEGA."
Image: filmquotesdb, crochetgeek