Abstract
It is acknowledged that the exploration of ‘great’ and/or influential personalities, and their ‘finished
lives’ may illuminate important lessons that are relevant still. Their contributions could be controversial,
disputed, notable and/or profound – but have important lessons to teach. One of these personalities, it
is suggested, is Gabrielle Chanel (1883-1971). Chanel (known to the world as Coco Chanel) was a 20th
century couturier and fashion icon. She challenged conventional femininity and masculinity in her
styles – and, in doing so, also challenged the gender lines and mores of the time. In the context of a
difficult early life marked by poverty, rejection and shame, she established immense prominence and
success; and it is in the context of this ‘rags to riches’ story, then, that there has been a continued
fascination and interest in not only her establishment of an empire – but also in her life. The implication
of this is that she is the subject of an array of articles, biographies, books, features, and films – but none
of these explore her life from a psychological view. There has also been no psychobiography on her as
a subject. Also keeping in mind her potential richness as a subject – and by means of non-probability
purposive sampling – this was the reason for selecting her as the study’s subject.
By employing the methodological principles of psychobiographical research, the purpose of this
study was to explore her life narrative so that this could be made meaning of psychologically. This was
done by deliberately employing formal psychological theory (that is, the object relations theory of
Winnicott) in exploring that which is individual to her life narrative (such as activities, behavioral
patterns, experiences, psychogenic traits, and relationships), and the individualized patterns and
processes that resulted from these. This was done to investigate the nature and/or origin of psychological
terms (such as ‘identity,’ ‘personality,’ and ‘self’); and was ‘eugraphic’ in that the focus was not only
on pathological processes, but also on her psychological strengths. That is, it was exploratory and
idiographic in nature – and is paradigmatically post-positivist, and qualitative.
The exploration of her life narrative started with the collection of data. Although the available data
included primary and secondary sources – due to the language limitations of the researcher and/or other
restrictions – there was a preference for secondary sources. The data was examined, organized and
reviewed within an analytical framework, and the iterative processes of: (a) the condensation of data;
(b) data display; and, (c) conclusion drawing and verification. The condensation of data entailed the
method and procedures of: (a) allowing the data to reveal itself, and exploring factors of psychological
saliency; and (b) addressing particular questions. This was displayed by means of text as well as figures,
frameworks and matrices. The frameworks and matrices presented: (a) the developmental model of
Winnicott, and its implications for ‘identity,’ ‘personality,’ and ‘self’ – especially as pertaining to selfstructures;
and (b) Chanel’s developmental and/or life stages. These also guided interpretations made,
and the presentation and verification of these.
Also considering factors of methodological rigor, the findings resulting from this suggested that
Chanel’s development of ‘identity,’ ‘personality,’ and ‘self’ could be comprehensively explored in
relation to self-structures as viewed by Winnicott. Here, his conceptualization and delineation of the...
M.A. (Clinical Psychology)