"In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different." - This encompasses everything that is Gabrielle Bonheur 'Coco' Chanel. Raised in an orphanage, her upbringing was not exactly straightforward, nonetheless, there she learnt how to sew. Chanel is often credited with revolutionizing post-world war 1 women's fashion, and popularizing a sportive, casual chic as the feminine standard style.
Financed by her then lover, Captain Arthur Edward "Boy" Capel, Chanel had her first store opened in Paris' Rue Chambon (1910), where her initial venture was selling hats, which done pretty well as she soon expanded to Deauville (1913) and Biarritz (1915). It was Deauville where she began to introduce her luxurious, yet casual clothes. To author Paul Morand, Chanel attributed her success to something quite odd, "My fortune is built on that old jersey that i'd put on because it was cold in Deauville". The story being that she'd fashioned a dress from this old jersey, and in response to so many inquiries about it, she decided to make it for those who asked.
Chanel
however was not content with being stagnant at the level she was at and
decided to take her brand to new heights, introducing the signature
fragrance in 1920, which was the first to ever have the designer name on
it... Chanel No.5
In the same decade, she introduced what is now the
legendary Chanel suit that has been the underlying trademark of a
fashionable women since its creation. The collarless jacket and
well-fitted skirt was revolutionary, and emphasized comfort as opposed
to the tight-fitting corsets of the time.
Achieving both financial and social dominance in her lifetime, it can truly be said that Gabrielle Bonheur 'Coco' Chanel is a timeless figure in the fashion industry and her brand will continue to develop and grow under the leadership of its now head designer and creative director, Karl Lagerfield.