In the climactic episode of "The New Look," the destinies of Christian Dior and Coco Chanel diverge sharply, painting a vivid portrait of the intricate tapestry of their lives and the tumultuous post-war fashion world. Titled "What a Day This Has Been," Episode 10 serves as the grand finale of the series' profound exploration of ambition, unbridled creativity, and the poignant personal sacrifices that often accompany success.
Coco Chanel (portrayed by Juliette Binoche) is depicted as being torn by the aftermath of Elsa's tragic demise and grappling with the haunting repercussions of her actions during the war. Her inner turmoil intensifies when she is confronted by Spatz, her estranged lover, who attempts to wield her wartime deeds as a lever for blackmail. In a desperate scramble to reclaim her brand's sovereignty, Chanel engages in negotiations with the Wertheimers, ultimately securing a financial coup that catapults her into the ranks of the world's wealthiest women. Yet, her fleeting victory is swiftly overshadowed by the looming threat of Barron's potential execution—a man she had betrayed to the authorities—and the treacherous betrayal of her nephew André, who betrays her to the French police, casting a dark cloud of uncertainty over her future.
Christian Dior's (embodied by Ben Mendelsohn) odyssey reaches its zenith as he gears up for his inaugural collection for the House of Dior. Despite stirring controversy in the fashion milieu by recruiting seamstresses from rival houses, Dior remains undeterred. His former mentor, Lucien Lelong, faces a moral dilemma: whether to punish Dior for his audacious actions or allow him to proceed, albeit with certain constraints. Dior's collection emerges as a resounding triumph, with his iconic Bar Suit stealing the spotlight. The episode concludes with a mesmerizing montage of Dior's creations spanning decades, underscoring the enduring impact of his legacy on the fashion industry.
Throughout this episode, the lingering shadows of World War II cast a heavy pall over both Dior and Chanel. Catherine, Dior's sister, is hailed for her bravery during the war, yet she grapples with the incongruity of celebrating amidst widespread suffering. Her poignant decision to bury a photograph of a fallen friend in their father's garden serves as a poignant rite of passage, bidding farewell to the atrocities of war. Meanwhile, Chanel's dark past as a Nazi collaborator comes back to haunt her, leading to her arrest and the looming specter of a trial."The New Look" concludes with a poignant reminder of the profound impact of art and the unyielding resilience of the human spirit. Christian Dior's triumph in the fashion realm stands in stark juxtaposition to Coco Chanel's tragic downfall, serving as a testament to the divergent paths they chose and the inevitable consequences that ensued. As the legacy of the House of Dior continues to flourish with unwavering vigor, Chanel's future remains precariously poised in the balance, leaving viewers with a profound sense of the enduring influence of their actions and the indelible mark they etched upon the landscape of fashion.
