Coco Chanel - Fashion Icon/Designer of the week

Coco Chanel born Gabrielle Coco Bonheur Chanel was the most significant and innovative fashion designer of the famous brand Chanel whose name is praised to date. Her modernist thought, hands-on designs and chase of expensive effortlessness 

made her important. Her little black dress, no.5 fragrance, classic and timeless suits, shoes, purses and jewelry changed women’s mind set on clothing and helped defined fashion. Gabrielle was the second child to a laundry woman and itinerant street peddler named Jeanne Devolle and Albert Chanel. She was born in Saumur, France. In 1895, Chanel’s mother died of tuberculosis. Her father sent her and her three other sisters to a bleak area of central France into the hands of a convent for orphans. In this convent life was demanding. It was stark and strict in belief of Catholic faith. At the age of eighteen she now too old to remain at the convent went to live in a boarding house set aside for Catholic girls. During her six years at the convent she learned how to sew and she able to find employment as a seamstress. She worked as a seamstress for many more years but she wanted more. In 1912 she met the wealthy socialite, Arthur who helped her open her first hat shop in 1913. She also introduced jersey dresses during World War I to keep in business. But her real opportunity came in the early 20’s during the great depression when Gabrielle with the financial backing of Capel, opened her first and now legendary shop at 31 rue Cambon. Her orphan life inspired her innovations, from the simplistic and blunt dress of the nuns created her simple little black dresses, squarish suits and almost boyish design suits. During this period Chanel created her world- renowned No5 fragrance. By the mid 20’s, Chanel’s relaxed and practical ‘working costume’ designs thrived. In 1931, Chanel was hired by Samuel Goldwin to dress his stars. Later that decade she designed and established a collection of costume jewelry inspired by the “art deco” movement of the 30’s. Chanel passed away in 1971 and her legendary name still is very much alive.