Coco Chanel - the Self-Made Woman Who Redefined Luxury and Elegance
The Chanel trademark name isn’t just fashion fame. Coco Chanel is a legendary woman who came from almost nothing and made herself into a beautiful icon of luxury. She also developed a comfortable brand that millions of women are proud to own. The lifestyle that Coco Chanel created is an eclectic one that features sharp contrasts, rich textures, and history plus a unique pop of signature style that can only be called Chanel.
On August 19, 1883, Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel was born in Saumur, France to a traveling salesman and a laundress under the sign of a Leo. Her mother died early, apparently from the exhaustion of having 5 children. After being sent off to an orphan edge at the age of 12, Gabrielle resigned to forget her father. Inside the walls of the convent where Gabrielle Chanel spent nearly 7 years (the Aubazine), she became immersed in black and white contrast, and baroque style, plus hints of gold. It was here that she learned to sew. Shortly after leaving the Aubazine, Gabrielle launched a clothing line with the intention to make comfortable, stylish clothes for women.
Gabrielle’s early life was difficult, to say the least. Thus, as she grew into herself later in life, her trademark styles like the “little black dress”, and other iconic outfits like pearls with pants, were known to embody couture plus comfort. As Coco once said, “Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.”
The nickname “Coco” was born soon afterward Gabrielle began singing in a cabaret. Her favorite track to sing titled, “Who has seen Coco?” was the inspiration for the now beloved name CoCo Chanel. However, she is rumored to say that her father gave her the nickname.
In 1920 after losing a great love, Dmitri the Grand Duke, Coco takes refuge in Venice, Italy where she friends Misia Sert, Marcel Proust, Henri De Toulouse Lautrec, Auguste Renoir, and Piere Bonnard among others, who helped keep her company. Here, Coco Chanel becomes Mademoiselle. Ultimately, these great artists, composers, and dancers all inspire Mademoiselle to create one of the most famous fragrances of all time: Chanel No.5 in Paris (1921).
While Chanel No.5 is one of the most well-known items in the Chanel collection, there are many more. Coco Chanel is a legendary fashion icon and inspiration for millions of people. Today, the brand of Coco Chanel is more than just a label - it is a luxury lifestyle. Chanel represents a desire to achieve your true destiny, by always reinventing your path. In doing that, each person can create a new shining version of themselves at any stage in life.
The Chanel jacket is a man’s jacket made feminine. First released in 1954, the symbolism creates a feeling of nonchalant elegance. The style can be worn in many different ways to create a relaxed, comfortable look that enables women to move with ease. In 1929, Coco designed her first handbag, and like all of the others during that time, it was a clutch. Carried by hand, the style gave birth to what you may know as today’s classic Chanel Flap Bag. In 1955, Chanel released the iconic 2.55 quilted handbag that is still so popular today. In style for over 60 years, the bag is an enduring piece of women’s fashion.
Infamous for developing a fresh sense of self, Coco Chanel was known to dress unlike anyone else taking inspiration from men. Stripping feminine touches off of hats like feathers and flowers, Coco Chanel created a more masculine look. She was also known to develop a chic style that quickly became popular. Transforming dresses by cutting them short, Coco revealed women’s ankles and freed the waist by eliminating the corset. Then, she made bronze skin and shorter hairstyles part of the look. Overall, this style is said to have been inspired by a great love of Coco Chanel, Boy Capel. Exposing Coco to English wealth, Boy also showed her literature, the Orient and the esoteric, helping Coco to more completely come into her own as Coco Chanel. Tragically, her great love died in a car accident, leaving her to step out on her own.
In 1918, Coco opened her first couture fashion house in Paris. Liberating herself from the poverty she was born into, Coco Chanel also freed other women from bondage. With feminine yet strong styles and inspiring changes to women’s silhouettes, she created a signature that is still comfortable today.
One of the most interesting aspects of the Coco Chanel lifestyle is time. Coco said herself that she did not know how else to live. The only way was to live in the present moment, and in doing that Coco found a sense of an inspired present, a time of true, strong, and free creation where Gabrielle could create visions. In that present, her inspirations fueled by audacity and intuition, work and determination birthed what we know now as “Chanel.” The brand name is synonymous with luxury. Coco Chanel once said, “I love luxury. And luxury lies not in richness and ornateness, but in the absence of vulgarity. Vulgarity is the ugliest word in our language. I stay in the game to fight it.”
Today, Coco Chanel trademark suits and little black dresses are worn by women inspired to live their best lives. Luxury and comfort come together with every Chanel design because after all, who would know it better than Gabrielle. Born into a life of loneliness and poverty, she had to overcome her own unique life obstacles. Each time creating something fresh and fabulous she also carried a new inspirational force into fashion.
During the economic depression of the 1930s, Coco was forced to close down her company. The impact of World War II required that she not only fire workers but also shut down her shops. Then when France became occupied by German forces, Chanel became romantically involved with a German military officer known as Hans Gunther von Dincklage. After being granted exclusive permission, Coco was granted permission to stay in Hotel Ritz, where she had a small apartment. This controversial relationship received critiques about her loyalty to the country. After spending a few years in Switzerland, Coco left her house in Roquebrune.
Coco Chanel made a comeback to the fashion world at the age of 70. At first, she did not gain rave reviews, however, her critics were quickly silenced as new feminine designs gained popularity. She died unmarried on January 10, 1971. She once said, “I never wanted to weigh more heavily on a man than a bird.”
Gabrielle started out her life with a modest family. From there, she was abandoned and learned to live an independent life. This may be why she developed such a rich and genuine luxury brand. Coco knew luxury and she loved it. For this reason, she was able to develop a unique signature style that women can share all over the world.
In 1969, Coco Chanel became such a fascinating person that her story was turned into a Broadway musical. Starring Katharine Hepburn, Coco the musical ended up receiving numerous Awards, including 7 Tony nominations, Best Costume Design, and Best Featured Actor (René Auberjonois). Coco’s life still captures people's attention today and the longevity of the brand continues to thrive. As a fashion icon, Coco shares her spirit in every step of the people who wear her designs and bring them to life.
Who is Coco Chanel?
On August 19, 1883, Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel was born in Saumur, France to a traveling salesman and a laundress under the sign of a Leo. Her mother died early, apparently from the exhaustion of having 5 children. After being sent off to an orphan edge at the age of 12, Gabrielle resigned to forget her father. Inside the walls of the convent where Gabrielle Chanel spent nearly 7 years (the Aubazine), she became immersed in black and white contrast, and baroque style, plus hints of gold. It was here that she learned to sew. Shortly after leaving the Aubazine, Gabrielle launched a clothing line with the intention to make comfortable, stylish clothes for women.
Gabrielle’s early life was difficult, to say the least. Thus, as she grew into herself later in life, her trademark styles like the “little black dress”, and other iconic outfits like pearls with pants, were known to embody couture plus comfort. As Coco once said, “Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.”
The nickname “Coco” was born soon afterward Gabrielle began singing in a cabaret. Her favorite track to sing titled, “Who has seen Coco?” was the inspiration for the now beloved name CoCo Chanel. However, she is rumored to say that her father gave her the nickname.
What is The Brand of Coco Chanel
In 1920 after losing a great love, Dmitri the Grand Duke, Coco takes refuge in Venice, Italy where she friends Misia Sert, Marcel Proust, Henri De Toulouse Lautrec, Auguste Renoir, and Piere Bonnard among others, who helped keep her company. Here, Coco Chanel becomes Mademoiselle. Ultimately, these great artists, composers, and dancers all inspire Mademoiselle to create one of the most famous fragrances of all time: Chanel No.5 in Paris (1921).
While Chanel No.5 is one of the most well-known items in the Chanel collection, there are many more. Coco Chanel is a legendary fashion icon and inspiration for millions of people. Today, the brand of Coco Chanel is more than just a label - it is a luxury lifestyle. Chanel represents a desire to achieve your true destiny, by always reinventing your path. In doing that, each person can create a new shining version of themselves at any stage in life.
The Famed Jacket & Bags
The Chanel jacket is a man’s jacket made feminine. First released in 1954, the symbolism creates a feeling of nonchalant elegance. The style can be worn in many different ways to create a relaxed, comfortable look that enables women to move with ease. In 1929, Coco designed her first handbag, and like all of the others during that time, it was a clutch. Carried by hand, the style gave birth to what you may know as today’s classic Chanel Flap Bag. In 1955, Chanel released the iconic 2.55 quilted handbag that is still so popular today. In style for over 60 years, the bag is an enduring piece of women’s fashion.
Infamous for developing a fresh sense of self, Coco Chanel was known to dress unlike anyone else taking inspiration from men. Stripping feminine touches off of hats like feathers and flowers, Coco Chanel created a more masculine look. She was also known to develop a chic style that quickly became popular. Transforming dresses by cutting them short, Coco revealed women’s ankles and freed the waist by eliminating the corset. Then, she made bronze skin and shorter hairstyles part of the look. Overall, this style is said to have been inspired by a great love of Coco Chanel, Boy Capel. Exposing Coco to English wealth, Boy also showed her literature, the Orient and the esoteric, helping Coco to more completely come into her own as Coco Chanel. Tragically, her great love died in a car accident, leaving her to step out on her own.
In 1918, Coco opened her first couture fashion house in Paris. Liberating herself from the poverty she was born into, Coco Chanel also freed other women from bondage. With feminine yet strong styles and inspiring changes to women’s silhouettes, she created a signature that is still comfortable today.
A Time of Chanel
One of the most interesting aspects of the Coco Chanel lifestyle is time. Coco said herself that she did not know how else to live. The only way was to live in the present moment, and in doing that Coco found a sense of an inspired present, a time of true, strong, and free creation where Gabrielle could create visions. In that present, her inspirations fueled by audacity and intuition, work and determination birthed what we know now as “Chanel.” The brand name is synonymous with luxury. Coco Chanel once said, “I love luxury. And luxury lies not in richness and ornateness, but in the absence of vulgarity. Vulgarity is the ugliest word in our language. I stay in the game to fight it.”
Today, Coco Chanel trademark suits and little black dresses are worn by women inspired to live their best lives. Luxury and comfort come together with every Chanel design because after all, who would know it better than Gabrielle. Born into a life of loneliness and poverty, she had to overcome her own unique life obstacles. Each time creating something fresh and fabulous she also carried a new inspirational force into fashion.
During the economic depression of the 1930s, Coco was forced to close down her company. The impact of World War II required that she not only fire workers but also shut down her shops. Then when France became occupied by German forces, Chanel became romantically involved with a German military officer known as Hans Gunther von Dincklage. After being granted exclusive permission, Coco was granted permission to stay in Hotel Ritz, where she had a small apartment. This controversial relationship received critiques about her loyalty to the country. After spending a few years in Switzerland, Coco left her house in Roquebrune.
Coco Chanel made a comeback to the fashion world at the age of 70. At first, she did not gain rave reviews, however, her critics were quickly silenced as new feminine designs gained popularity. She died unmarried on January 10, 1971. She once said, “I never wanted to weigh more heavily on a man than a bird.”
The Legacy of Coco Chanel
Gabrielle started out her life with a modest family. From there, she was abandoned and learned to live an independent life. This may be why she developed such a rich and genuine luxury brand. Coco knew luxury and she loved it. For this reason, she was able to develop a unique signature style that women can share all over the world.
In 1969, Coco Chanel became such a fascinating person that her story was turned into a Broadway musical. Starring Katharine Hepburn, Coco the musical ended up receiving numerous Awards, including 7 Tony nominations, Best Costume Design, and Best Featured Actor (René Auberjonois). Coco’s life still captures people's attention today and the longevity of the brand continues to thrive. As a fashion icon, Coco shares her spirit in every step of the people who wear her designs and bring them to life.
