CHANEL is one the biggest influential company not only in the fashion industry, but in history as well. But how did the company start? And who is the genius behind the original, classic CHANEL designs, scents, and accessories? Well I am about to tell you so keep on reading…

The creator behind the iconic CHANEL brand is none other than Gabrielle Bonheur “Coco” Chanel. She was born in Saumur, France in 1883 on August the 19th. Gabrielle’s mother died when she was a pre-teen (age 12), so her father sent her and her siblings to an orphanage. This is where she learned how to sew, but her first career was not being a designer. Gabrielle tried her hand at Cabaret singing, which is where she got the nickname “Coco” (short for Cocotte which means “kept woman”), but that did not work out but it is where she met Etienne Balsan who introduced her to the world of fashion in a new way.

Coco Chanel’s first fashion venture was her shop in 1910 on 21 Rue Cambon in Paris, France. The two people who were behind this venture of Coco’s was Etienne Balsan and Arthur “Boy” Capel. Due to it being her first shop, she designed mostly hats and a few clothing pieces under the name of Chanel Modes. Her shop became highly successful, and she was able to open up two more shops (one in Deauville and the CHANEL fashion House in Biarritz) where she began to make clothing.

Most of Coco Chanel’s early work was made out of Jersey, which was a fabric associated with men’s clothing. Due to a dress she made out of this material for herself, she became known for this around Paris. Every woman wanted one, therefor Chanel said the following:

“My fortune is built on that old jersey that I’d put on because it was cold in Deauville.” – Chanel

Coco Chanel is mainly known for her revolutionary women clothing apparel, and her famous fragrance CHANEL No. 5. In 1920, CHANEL launched it’s first fragrance CHANEL No. 5. Chanel’s perfume was the first to feature a designer’s name and it the look of the perfume was her creation entirely. CHANEL No. 5 was backed by department store owner Theophile Bader and Pierre and Paul Wertheimer. Due to this partnership, CHANEL No. 5 became a massive hit and source of revenue for the company.

“Perfume is the unseen, unforgettable, ultimate accessory of fashion…that heralds your arrival and prolongs your departure.” – Chanel

Other fashion trends that were started by CHANEL in the 1920’s are collarless cardigan jacket, bias cut dress, shoe string shoulder strap, the floating evening scarf, and combination of junk and real jewels accessories and embellishments.

“Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.” – Chanel

Many of these and Coco Chanel’s early design’s (like uncluttered styles, boxy-lines, shortened skirts, and no corsets) became trademarks of her company and future designs.

Due to Coco Chanel’s own slim boyish figure, cropped hair, tanned skin, active lifestyle, and independence; her clothing designs showcase many of these elements and revolutionize women clothing to make it better for the everyday women. She also incorporated her favorite color pallet (black, beige, and white) into her designs as well.

Coco Chanel helped to create women’s clothing that was simpler and more practical, like introducing trousers and suits for women. In 1925, CHANEL came out with its new legendary suit with a collarless jacket and well-fitted skirt. This revolutionized women’s fashion even more by borrowing elements of men’s fashion and emphasizing comfort over the constraints of then-popular fashions. Not too long after, the CHANEL little black dress came out. Confirming that black could be chic and elegant as evening wear and plain enough for daily wear.  In 1929, the iconic CHANEL bag with the thin strap came into existence.

“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.” – Chanel

In 1938, Coco Chanel retired from the fashion industry, and the CHANEL fashion house closed for some time. But 16 years later she came back strong in the fashion industry due to the fact that she upset by men dominating the Paris fashion industry. Even though she took a break from fashion, her comeback design made her the most recognizable name in the world due to pairing taste, fashion, and practicality with the awareness of what people want.

“In order to be irreplaceable, one must always be different.” – Chanel

In 1954, at the age of 70, Coco Chanel returned to Paris to open up her Couture Fashion House after closing it in 1939 because of World War II. She said that war was not a time for fashion, and there was an incident with a German lover of hers that kept her away from the public eye. Her post war label successful in Britian and America, but less so in France. Even though this was the case, Coco Chanel was still able to influence and revolutionize fashion.

On January 10th, 1971, Gabrielle Bonheur “Coco” Chanel died. Even though she was gone, people like the Wertheimer family and Karl Lagerfeld kept her legacy and iconic looks alive. Her story and her merchandise continues to inspire and captivate people everywhere. Coco Chanel will always be known as the French modernist designer who revolutionized women’s clothing. She was even the only designer to be listed in the TIME 100 most influential people of the 20th Century. Coco Chanel was famous for her timeless designs, trade-mark suits, and little black dress that are accompanied by pearls.

“With a black sweater and 10 rows of pearls, Chanel revolutionized fashion.” – Dior 

As long as her CHANEL Company keeps the much revered style and sophisticated designs, her legacy will continue to revolutionize the fashion industry.