Coco Chanel
Coco Chanel is an icon. Chanel is one of the most influential fashion designers of all time. She was one of the first women entrepreneurs of the 20th century. Chanel led the world from hoop skirts and corsets to long, loose fitting jersey dresses. She changed the way people saw the world through her innovative designs.
Gabrielle was born in 1883 in Saumur, France. She was the second child born to a seamstress and a market stallholder. Her parents were not married when she was born, however they married shortly after her birth. Chanel was the second of five children. At age twelve, Chanel’s mother died of tuberculosis. One week later, her father abandoned her and her four siblings in search of wealth.
Chanel and her two sisters, Julie and Antoinette, were put into Aubazine, a Catholic Monastery and her brothers were sent to work on a farm. She learned the trade of sewing while in Aubazine, where she spent six years. Chanel and her sisters went to spend holidays with their relatives, where Chanel learned to sew with more flourish.
When Chanel turned eighteen, she left the orphanage with her cousin Adrienne. They moved to the town of Moulins where they took up work at a tailor’s shop. While living in Moulins, Chanel and Adrienne had a brief stint as singers in a café. This was where the name “Coco” developed. It is a shortened form of “coquette” which means “kept woman.”
She failed keep steady work as a singer, however she soon met Captain Arthur Edward “Boy” Capel. Capel introduced Chanel to the fine life and with his money she opened her first shops. Some of her designs were inspired by his clothing style. Chanel was the first woman in France to start and run her own business.
In 1910, Chanel opened her second shop. Soon after, Gabrielle Dorziat, a famous actress, modeled Chanel’s hats in the play Bel Ami, and again in Les Modes. Because of Dorziat, Chanel’s empire began to bloom. She introduced her clothes that were suitable for leisure and sport, rare in the
Gabrielle was born in 1883 in Saumur, France. She was the second child born to a seamstress and a market stallholder. Her parents were not married when she was born, however they married shortly after her birth. Chanel was the second of five children. At age twelve, Chanel’s mother died of tuberculosis. One week later, her father abandoned her and her four siblings in search of wealth.
Chanel and her two sisters, Julie and Antoinette, were put into Aubazine, a Catholic Monastery and her brothers were sent to work on a farm. She learned the trade of sewing while in Aubazine, where she spent six years. Chanel and her sisters went to spend holidays with their relatives, where Chanel learned to sew with more flourish.
When Chanel turned eighteen, she left the orphanage with her cousin Adrienne. They moved to the town of Moulins where they took up work at a tailor’s shop. While living in Moulins, Chanel and Adrienne had a brief stint as singers in a café. This was where the name “Coco” developed. It is a shortened form of “coquette” which means “kept woman.”
She failed keep steady work as a singer, however she soon met Captain Arthur Edward “Boy” Capel. Capel introduced Chanel to the fine life and with his money she opened her first shops. Some of her designs were inspired by his clothing style. Chanel was the first woman in France to start and run her own business.
In 1910, Chanel opened her second shop. Soon after, Gabrielle Dorziat, a famous actress, modeled Chanel’s hats in the play Bel Ami, and again in Les Modes. Because of Dorziat, Chanel’s empire began to bloom. She introduced her clothes that were suitable for leisure and sport, rare in the