This is the reason why some lampposts in London have an engraving that might resemble the Chanel logo.
What is the first thing that comes to your mind whenever you think about Chanel besides luxury and fashion? For me it is Paris and the glamour of the French capital, but did you know that Coco Chanel has a close history to London and that some believe her name is engraved in many of its lampposts?
This is the story of the popular lamppost in Westminster that apparently have the Chanel logo and why they are one of the fashion legends in London.
Chanel and her loving English story
Though Coco Chanel was French and spent most of her life living in Paris, she actually spent some years living in London thanks, besides other things, of her affair with the second Duke of Westminster, Hugh Richard Arthur Grosvenor, also known as Bendor.
It is said that it was in 1924 when Coco and Bendor started a romantic relationship.
It is believed that their affair lasted for over 10 years and the Duke, as an amorous gesture, promised Coco to append her initials to his street furniture as a way to remember her every time he walked on his streets.
[Image: Instagram @iannader]
The Duke was so infatuated with the French designer that he even asked her to marry him, to which she refused and apparently she replied “ There have been several Duchesses of Westminster but there is only one Coco Chanel”.
Later on, Justine Picardie wrote on Coco’s biography that there was no proof the designer ever said such a thing and even Chanel refused having said that.
“Such thing is too vulgar to say to a Duke”, said Coco.
The real explanation behind Chanel’s logo legend
The lamppost engraved with a Chanel logo has nothing to do with the romance of the designer and the Duke of Westminster, but rather something simpler and, in a way, bureaucratic.
The real reason for both c’s engraved in each lamppost of Westminster is because they indicate that they are part of the Westminster City Council. Reason why there is a w letter and the two back-to-back c’s.
No legend, no love story, and no corny reminders of a marriage that wasn’t. They are just a government engraving.