The preeminent item found in any modern woman's closet was placed there by Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel. This French designer, creator of the little black dress, can also take the credit for popularizing menswear inspired ensembles such as tailored suits, and sportswear....
[more]The preeminent item found in any modern woman's closet was placed there by Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel. This French designer, creator of the little black dress, can also take the credit for popularizing menswear inspired ensembles such as tailored suits, and sportswear. Costume jewelry, pearls, and the camelia flower also are Chanel hallmarks.She was a Modernist, and advocated comfort and ease in dress. Her fashion philosophy of of simple yet elegant chic is still relevant today.
Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel's early history is somewhat mysterious. Her career began when she left the provincial town of Saumur for the opportunities of Paris. After that, she may have supported herself by working as a singer and stage actress -- and, according to some sources, by acquiring male "patrons." At some point, she gained experience in dressmaking and millinery. She opened her first hat shop in 1910.
She was ahead of her time in terms of dressing. In the midst of exhibitionism and frivolity, the designer favored a simple, subtle style that employed jersey, a cheap fabric traditionally used only for undergarments. Costume jewelry, pearls, two toned spectator pumps, and the camelia flower have also become Chanel hallmarks.
Her designs were dark, somber, and practical, yet they always contained a hint of glamour. They allowed women to be comfortable while still displaying elegance, sophistication, and feminine mystique. The Chanel suit has now come to represent the ideals of traditional elegance.
Her most famous perfume, No. 5 defines the Chanel style and woman. It is timeless, intruiging, and very seductive. Marilyn Monroe once said that No. 5 was all she wore to bed.
Coco Chanel died in 1971. However, the fashion house that bears her name remains a significant force in the fashion world. The brand is designed by Karl Lagerfeld, who (for the most part) stays true to the hallmarks of the Chanel style.
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