From a young age to now, when I think of fashion, I immediately think of Coco Chanel. Even if you aren’t into fashion or luxury brands, Chanel is a household name. Coco Chanel established herself as a fashion icon with her timeless, classic style, impeccable taste, and fashion wisdom that is still true today. As a very strong and opinionated woman myself, I respect an independent woman like Coco Chanel, who was never afraid to state how one should or should not dress. The styles she created were much like herself – overly blunt yet attention-grabbing and always memorable. Chanel’s opinions and well-known fashion quotes and wisdom leave a lasting impression on anyone who reads them (including me).
Turtleneck {Similar HERE} // Skirt // Boots // Purse {Love THIS and THIS} // Similar Earrings {Another Option HERE} // Brooch {Similar HERE}
Childhood and Young Coco
Coco Chanel was born Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel on August 19, 1883 in Saumur, France. And while she is known as a glamorous haute couture designer, she did not have a glamorous lifestyle growing up. Her mother was a laundress in a charity hospital and her father was a peddler. At the age of 12, her mother had passed away and her father had dropped Chanel and her sisters off at an orphanage, where they were raised by nuns.
When Chanel was older, she worked as a seamstress by day and a club singer in Moulins by night. She was also briefly a cabaret singer where she was given the nickname Coco. She claimed it was short for ‘cocotte’, which is French for ‘kept woman’, but regardless the reason behind the name, it stuck. In 1910, at the age of 27, Chanel was born. The first shop, a brick-and-mortar store, was open on Rue Cambon street in Paris, where Coco Chanel kickstarted her brand by selling hats. Chanel continued to have growing success in the fashion industry up until her passing on January 10, 1971 in the Hotel Ritz in Paris (How very Chanel of her).
Chanel’s Contributions to the Fashion World
Chanel took the fashion world by storm but creating rebellious yet timeless pieces. There are five major fashion items that are attributed to Coco Chanel:
- LBD (Little Black Dress): a truly revolutionary piece that was introduced in the 1920s. This item is now a classic closet staple perfect for any occasion.
- Chanel Suit (aka Two-Piece Suits): collarless tweed cardigan-like jacket and well-fitted skirt – Coco designed a desirable, tailored fit without being stiff on the body. There are many look-alikes to this iconic power suit, but the design is always and will always be attributed to Coco.
- Trousers: when Coco was growing up, high-society women wore skirts with bustles; however, she challenged that look and was one of the first women to wear trousers out in public.
- Sailor Tops: nautical-inspired clothing that began with Chanel’s sailor tops (a now classic look for anyone’s closet). The inspiration behind these tops came from the blue and white stripes worn by French fishermen.
- Costume Jewelry: while owning a collection of real jewels, Coco Chanel had a big love for large costume jewelry. Chanel was known for her necklaces of fake pearls and gold with fake jewels.
- Chanel No. 5: the first perfume Coco Chanel released in 1921 with the help of perfumer Ernest Beaux. It was named No. 5 because it was the fifth sample out of 10 to be created.
Coco Chanel the Rebel
When women were expected to wear confining pieces, she thought differently. She believed in creating classy garments that were both extremely fashionable and comfortable. Her inspiration came from menswear and the need for practical women’s dress.
Roaring Like a Lion
Lions are often a symbol associated with the Chanel brand and are included in many Chanel collections. Coco Chanel was inspired by the city of Venice, which is often called ‘the City of the Lion’, and her astrological sign was a Leo. This seems extremely fitting for a woman who was not afraid to speak her mind from the rooftops and let everyone know she was in charge.
Marriage for Coco? No Thanks
Coco Chanel never married but had many suitors who played significant roles in her success. She saw men as a means to an end and chose them based on their status and wealth, which helped her maintain her independence while also progressing the Chanel brand. Her first suitor was Etienne Balsan, a French textile heir and racehorse owner, who helped Chanel become a milliner – someone who sells hats. Her more well-known suitor was Arthur ‘Boy Capel (think the Chanel Boy Bag), who was a wealthy polo player. He helped Coco Chanel set up her first Rue Cambon shop in 1910 and eventually her Deauville boutique (think the Chanel Deauville Tote).
My Style Inspiration: Coco Chanel
Coco Chanel in three words: wealthy, successful, and controversial. She was extremely influential in the fashion work because of her highly fashionable and rebellious designs. She made trendy, beautiful, and most importantly comfortable clothes. She made mournful black become the most chic and sophisticated color in the color spectrum. She made menswear that was designed to be fit for womenswear. Coco Chanel was an independent and strong woman, who defied limitations, didn’t take no for an answer, and always encouraged women to do the same whether in fashion, in relationships, or in life in general.
About My Look
Works Cited
- Guerra, J. (2020, August). 12 Facts You Might Not Have Known About Coco Chanel. Retrieved October 29, 2020, from https://www.instyle.com/fashion/who-is-coco-chanel
- Okura, L. (2009, September 22). 5 Ways Coco Chanel Has Inspired Fashion Today. Retrieved October 29, 2020, from https://www.oprah.com/style/5-ways-coco-chanel-has-inspired-fashion-today/all
- Payer, A. (2019, October 17). The Ideal Wardrobe, According to Coco Chanel. Retrieved October 29, 2020, from https://www.whowhatwear.com/coco-chanel-wardrobe-advice-2015/slide8
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