In the last century, there was a fashion revolution, which was embodied by Coco Chanel. She gave the world a little black dress and one of the most famous perfumes – Chanel No. 5.
How it all began
In a poor French family in 1883, the girl Gabrielle Boner Chanel was born. Her father traded in the market, he did not feel much love for the family. Mother, to make ends meet, worked in three places. She loved her husband, but he seemed cold to her. The woman said goodbye to her life when her daughter was 12. The father handed Gabrielle over to the care of the nuns in the orphanage.
Aunt Louise took the girl for the holidays. They sewed together using fantasy.
Upon reaching the age of 18, Chanel became a pupil of the Institute of Noble Maidens. After graduation, Chanel was hired by the owner of the atelier. He liked the girl for her excellent sewing skills. Gabriel wanted more than to sew for someone else’s atelier.
The town in which Chanel lived – Moulin was full of military men. One of them invited the girl to the theater. Gabrielle loved the attention of the audience. She was allowed to perform a piece of music during a break. An unknown artist, the public named Coco Chanel as the song she performed.
Gabriel was noticed by a wealthy military leader, Etienne Balzan. This could help the girl stop being poor. After some time, Etienne began to financially support the favorite. Introduced her to the elite.
In that era, fashion designers were men. Etienne liked Gabrielle’s passion for fashion. He provided a sewing room. The girl wanted to have a business.
Fate brought her together with Arthur Capel. They left for the capital in 1909. A year later, Arthur and Etienne invest in the creation of a fashion store for accessories and hats for Coco. The public received the new style of women’s accessories well. Stylish and practical hats were not decorated with elaborate ruffles. Over time, Chanel opened a second store in the south of Normandy. Coco hoped to attract the attention of rich people and celebrities who vacationed in these places.
Arthur in 1915 opened Coco another popular resort of the rich – Biarritz. Here she creates a store. To some extent, financial independence came to her.
In 1918 Capel married a wealthy English girl. This broke Coco’s heart. She was in the position of a mistress. The following year, Arthur crashes during an accident. Depressed Koko became lonely. She was determined to succeed no matter what.
Moved the store to an elite large office. This attracted wealthy and famous clients to her. Koko soon moves into the Ritz Hotel.
Chanel used every opportunity to advance to fame. Men have become a tool to achieve the goal. They gave her connections, popularity and money.
Chanel #5 and little black dress
Prestigious perfumer Ernest Bosoz gave Chanel No. 5 fragrance.
Coco showed the public how exquisitely a little black dress emphasizes a woman, which no one had known about before. She later opened pants for girls.
Chanel was romantically involved with some of the leadership of the German army during the World War II era. She even unsuccessfully took part in establishing relations between Europe and Germany. After the liberation of France from the Nazis, Coco could be shamefully punished for having links with the enemy.
She fled from France, but followed the trends in fashion. Popularity gained the work of Christian Dior – there was a return to the pretentious splendor of the past.
Chanel could not look indifferently and began to develop her main collection. Paris saw her work in 1973.
The European press has not forgotten the fashion designer’s relationship with the enemy. Glory came to America. Over time, European society thawed out. Coco Chanel’s contribution to fashion has been recognized. Her opinion became authoritative.
