“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” –Coco Chanel
Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel was a revolutionary French Fashion designer and businesswoman. She was the founder of French luxury fashion brand “Chanel”. She was born on 19 August 1883 in Saumur, Maine-et-Loire, France. In the 1920’s, men dominated the fashion world and they chose clothing for women which was mostly fitted and uncomfortable to wear.
Then Chanel began to make women’s clothing which were comfortable as well as elegant. She saw clothing as a fashion statement, not just something to please menHerHer career blossomed post World War 1 with popularizing a sporty, casual chic as the feminine standard of style, replacing the Corset Silhouette that was pre-existing. She introduced a new era of feminism for women.
She brought revolution in the clothing industry with a design that doesn’t restrict women’s movement. Her fabric choice was also tremendous. Her name is irreplaceable when it comes to high fashion and luxury items. She believed, “In order to be irreplaceable, one must be different” and she proved it by becoming a new trendsetter. She is the only fashion designer listed on Time Magazine’s list of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century.
“Don’t spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door.”
She has not only dominated the garment industry but expanded to jewelry, fragrances and handbags. Her signature scent, Chanel No. 5 has become an iconic product . The famous monogram integrated CC, used since 1920’s is designed by Chanel herself.
However, it is believed that Chanel was living a double life. There is much evidence that suggests she might be an agent. She had also dated an officer Hans Gunther Von Dincklage. The French Police, during World War II, suspected her of being an agent and linked her to several of their operations. Chanel was interrogated about her relationship with von Dincklage, but she was not charged as a collaborator due to intervention by Churchill.
