Juliette Binoche Reveals Unease in Portraying Chanel's WWII Choices in 'The New Look'

Apple TV+ has recently launched "The New Look," a drama series that delves into the lives and careers of iconic fashion designers Christian Dior and Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel during a turbulent period in history. Set against the backdrop of World War II and extending into the mid-1950s, the 10-episode narrative uncovers the often-controversial choices both designers made to navigate the hardships of the Nazi occupation of France.

While the series highlights the lasting influence of Dior and Chanel on modern couture, it also does not shy away from the more contentious aspects of their legacies. It portrays how Dior was compelled to create dresses for the companions of Nazi officers to provide for his family. The show takes a more critical view of Chanel, played by Juliette Binoche, revealing her deeper entanglement with the Nazi regime, including her utilization of Aryan laws to seize control of her company from Jewish partners and her involvement in secretive political maneuvers.

"The New Look" also touches upon the experiences and the impact of the war on other fashion luminaries such as Cristóbal Balenciaga, Pierre Balmain, and Pierre Cardin, framing the era as a complex intersection of artistry, survival, and morality. The series, which premiered at the French Institute Alliance Française in Manhattan, is now available for streaming, inviting viewers to examine a nuanced portrayal of two of fashion's most esteemed figures.