Credited with the creation of the Chanel suit, the Chanel No. 5 perfume, and the little black dress, Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel is the most iconic and influential fashion designer to this day. You don't have to have an interest in the fashion world to just know her name.
Coco originally wanted to pursue a career as an entertainer, singing at cabaret shows as a young adult. However, although she had the look and charisma, her singing was not incredible. She eventually realized that she would never be a successful performer.
Around 1908, Chanel designed the iconic Chanel No. 5 perfume with her then-boyfriend Arthur Capel, who also helped finance Coco's first shops, in Deauville, France. In her early fashion career, Chanel sold mainly hats and clothing, and eventually established her first couturiere boutique at 31 rue Cambon. She didn't enjoy immediate success, however. The reason for this, however, is why she eventually became so influential and successful.
Chanel lived through WWI and through the post-war era that followed. It was around this time that women gained the right to vote, and an increasing demand for women's rights developed.
It was Chanel who revolutionized women's clothing during this time period, promoting the liberation that women were then seeking. Coco did this by saying goodbye to tight corsets and long Victorian dresses, and designing clothes that were far more practical for work and everyday life (not to mention easier to breathe in).
Chanel designed clothes made with jersey fabric, once considered too simple to be used in couture fashion. She saw the advantages of wearing jersey clothing for women: it allowed far more movement than long dresses with corsets allowed. The Chanel jersey suit became instantly popular among women for this reason.
Another Chanel design that promoted practicality in women's clothing was the Chanel bag. This bag, called the 2.55, overthrew the use of the hand bag with its chain strap and functionality, while still looking fashionable.
(Probably my fave picture)
Last but not least, I want to talk about the little black dress. Coco's little black dress was basically the polar opposite of the restricting Victorian dresses. The dress was comfortable but chic, and became instantly popular. To allow all women in society to wear her practical designs, Coco had some of her creations including the little black dress sell for affordable prices. (She is actually credited for the start of the Flapper trend in the 1920's!)
Thanks to her career as a designer, Coco Chanel completely changed the image of women and gave them a sense of empowerment and freedom from the restriction of the pre-WWI era and long before, as modern women continued to pursue their goals in their careers and political rights.
♡ Claire
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