From her earliest millinery shop, opened during 1912, to the Nineteen Twenties, Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel rose to develop into one of the first fashion designers in Paris, France. Replacing the corset with comfort along with casual sophistication, her fashion themes included straightforward suits and dresses, women's trousers, costume ornaments, scent along with textiles.
Coco Chanel claimed a birthdate of 1893 and a hometown of Auvergne; she was in reality born in 1883 in Saumur. Based on her account of her life story, her mother labored at the poorhouse where Gabrielle was born, and died when Gabrielle was just six, leaving her father with five children whom he swiftly abandoned to the protection of relatives.
She adopted the name Coco during a brief career as a cafe and live concert singer 1905-1908. Originally a mistress of a wealthy military officer followed by that of an English businessman, Coco Chanel drew on the wealth of these patrons in opening a millinery premises in Paris in 1910, expanding to Deauville and Biarritz. The two gentlemen also helped her to find purchasers among ladies of society, and her simple hats were to become popular.
Soon Coco Chanel was expanding to couture, working in jersey, a first in the French fashion world. By the 1920s, her fashion house had expanded a great deal, and her blouse became a fashion trend with its "little boy" look. Her relaxed fashions, short skirts, and casual appearance were in sharp contrast to the corset fashions common in the preceding decades. Chanel herself dressed in manly outfits, and tailored these more relaxed fashions which other women also found liberating.
In 1922 Coco Chanel launched a scent, Chanel No. 5, which became and remained popular, and remains a lucrative product of Chanel's company. Pierre Wertheimer became her accomplice in the fragrance business in 1924, and perhaps also her lover. Wertheimer owned 70% of the company; Coco Chanel received 10% as well as her colleague Bader 20%. The Wertheimers continue to be in charge of the perfume business at present.
Coco Chanel released her signature cardigan jacket in 1925 and signature "little black dress" in 1926. Nearly all of her fashions had a staying power, and didn't change a great deal from year to year -- or even generation to generation.
Coco Chanel temporarily served as a nurse in World War I. Nazi occupation meant the fashion business in Paris was cut off for some years; Chanel's affair for the duration of World War II with a Nazi officer also resulted in several years of diminished recognition and an exile of sorts to Switzerland. In 1954 her comeback restored her to the primary ranks of haute couture. Her natural, casual garments including the Chanel suit once again caught the eye -- and purses -- of women. She introduced pea jackets and bell bottom pants for women. She was still working in 1971 when she passed away. Karl Lagerfeld has been chief designer of Chanel's fashion house since 1983.
In addition to her work with high fashion, Coco Chanel also designed stage costumes for such plays as Cocteau's Antigone (1923) and Oedipus Rex (1937) and film costumes for several films, including Renoir's La Regle de Jeu. Katharine Hepburn starred in the 1969 Broadway musical Coco based on the life of Coco Chanel.
Author Resource:
Elizabeth Rodriguez specialises in the promotion and marketing of mens and womens fragrances and has over 20 years experience in the industry. Allure eau de toilette is Elizabeths favourite Chanel fragrance.
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