French documentary 'proves' Coco Chanel worked for Nazis
In 'The Shadow of a Doubt,' historian says he found documents hidden in France’s Ministry of Defense archives that reveal famous fashion designer's secrets once and for all.
Although no concrete evidence had been presented, stories about love affairs with high-ranking Nazis and top secret operations went rampant online.
Now, a French documentary entitled "L’Ombre d’un Doute" ("The Shadow of a Doubt") claims to have discovered the necessary materials to reveal Chanel’s secrets once and for all.
Broadcast on France 3, documentary historian Franck Ferrand explains that he found documents hidden in France’s Ministry of Defense archives that prove Chanel worked directly with the Nazis.
The film also explores her relationship with senior Gestapo officer of Baron Hans Gunther von Dincklage and suggests Chanel spied for the occupiers.
"The Shadow of a Doubt" says that Chanel (who went by the codename "Westminster"), using her influence with the occupiers, attempted to re-claim her Chanel no. 5 perfume business from the Jewish Wertheimer family, however the efforts failed because the family had since sold to a non-Jewish business.
The documentary was aired as France 3 broadcasts "Un Village Francais," an acclaimed TV series that articulately explores the challenges and difficult choices the French people faced during the Nazi occupation.
Reprinted with permission from Shalom Life .
