“Women must tell men always that they are the strong ones. They are the big, the strong, the wonderful. In truth, women are the strong ones. It is just my opinion, I am not a professor.”
- August 19, 1883 – January 10, 1971
- Born in France
- Designer, businesswoman
- Founded the Chanel brand and advocated modern and simple fashion, especially popularizing the “Chanel suit” and “little black dress,” and contributing to the liberation of women.
Quote
“Women must tell men always that they are the strong ones. They are the big, the strong, the wonderful. In truth, women are the strong ones. It is just my opinion, I am not a professor.”
Explanation
In this quote, Coco Chanel offers a provocative reflection on gender roles and strength. At first glance, she suggests that women should constantly affirm men’s superiority, but she quickly subverts this expectation by stating that, in truth, women are the strong ones. Chanel’s perspective is rooted in her own life experience: she built an empire in the male-dominated world of fashion and business, often working in conditions that demanded immense resilience and determination. This quote can be understood as a comment on the hidden strength of women, who may be underappreciated or overlooked in society but are, in fact, the ones who bear the emotional and practical burdens that keep families, societies, and industries moving forward.
Her words also suggest a strategic approach to power dynamics: Chanel seems to propose that women, particularly in patriarchal contexts, might need to play along with the outward display of male dominance to navigate the system. This aligns with a broader theme of subversive empowerment, where the outward performance of deference or support may mask a more profound, underlying strength. In many ways, Chanel’s life and career reflect this strategy. She worked within the constraints of a society that often relegated women to secondary roles, but she found ways to turn this to her advantage and become a defining figure in the fashion world.
Chanel’s statement also highlights her belief that true strength often goes unnoticed or unacknowledged. She emphasizes that this is simply her opinion, perhaps suggesting that these insights are personal, borne from lived experience rather than formal theory. In modern times, her words remain relevant as they speak to the ongoing conversation about gender equality and the often invisible work that women perform in every field, from home life to professional arenas. By acknowledging that women possess the inner strength to lead, endure, and create, Chanel’s quote continues to inspire and challenge societal expectations.
