The story of Coco Chanel

Hi guys, I am back after the exams and everything. Today i am starting a new series called ‘The story of…’ that will be based on the life stores of well known designers. First is one of my absolute favorites Gabrielle Chanel aka Coco Chanel. I am also aware that there is a book and a movie, but I decided to make a small biography about her and if you like it, I recommend you watch the movie, it’s really good.

Now let’s get started. Coco’s full name was Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel and she was born in France on the 19th of August 1883. After her mother died when she was 12, her father put her in an orphanage. In there she was raised by nuns, which taught her how to sew, a very important skill for her future career.

Her famous nickname ‘Coco’ came from her short career as a singer in clubs in Vichy and Moulins where her stage name was Coco. Around her 20s she met Ettienne Balsan who helped her set up small business in Paris, but later left him for one of his wealthier friends Arthur ‘Boy’ Capel. Both of them were really important and helped a lot with her first fashion venture.

When she first opened her shop, she was only selling hats. After she opened few more shops, Coco started selling clothes too. Her first taste of clothing success came from a dress she created from an old jersey on a cold day. When people asked where she got it from she offered to make one for them.

Chanel became a famous Parisian figure in the literary and artistic worlds. She designed costumes for Ballets Russes and Jean Cocteau’s play Orphee, and counted Cocteau and artist Pablo Picasso among her friends.

In 1925, Chanel introduced the now legendary Chanel suit with collarless jacket and well-fitted skirt. Coco’s designs were revolutionary for the time- borrowing elements from men’s wear and emphasizing comfort over the constraints of then popular fashions. She helped women say goodbye to the day corsets and other confining garments. Another revolutionary design by Chanel was her little black dress. She took a color once associated with mourning and showed just how chic it could be for evening wear.

Hope you enjoyed the first post from this series. Please leave a like and a comment and follow me for more interesting posts. Have a great day,

XOXO, Delayla