From gold buttons to comfortable tailored trousers and cardigan sweaters, there is no more significant influence on clothes than Coco Chanel.
Born in Saumur, France, in 1883, this outspoken, independent woman remains the most influential fashion designer of the 20th century. She alone is responsible for the revolutionary notion that women’s clothes should be practical, easy to move in, and understated yet elegant.
Her most famous statement: “It is not the dress that should wear the woman, but the woman who should wear the dress.”
“It is not the dress that should wear the woman, but the woman who should wear the dress.”
Coco Chanel
Built more like a skinny boy than a woman, Coco Chanel opened her first shop in Deauville, France, when dress codes ran to the stiff high collars and petticoats of the late nineteenth century.
Heavily influenced by classic English men’s clothes, Chanel championed English tweeds, flannels, navy blazers, crisp white shirts, leather knits, and pared-down dinner jackets. In 1924, she created the flawlessly tailored – and widely, widely copied – Chanel suit.
Coco Chanel first introduced pants for women, the “little black dress, “strapless dresses, gold chain belts, crisp white shirts, jersey dresses, quilted handbags and the signature slingback spectator pump with black tips.
Further underscoring timeless comfort and simplicity, she introduced the twin-set, cardigan suits, men’s black tie evening clothes for women, the blazer and the signature scarf.
Coco Chanel was among the first to crop her hair, shorten her skirt and wear costume jewellery boldly.
This maverick didn’t go unheralded. In the 1920s and 30’s, she was the toast of Paris. Diaghilev, Picasso and Salvador Dali were friends. Jean Cocteau, another friend, believed that by some miracle, Chanel managed to apply to fashion the rules that seemed relevant only to painting, poetry and music. What looks simple and elegant is the most difficult, like the best painting.
In 1924, Chanel also introduced Chanel No. 5, among the world’s best-selling fragrances. At the time, the scent was not considered a fashion accessory.
“Perfume is a part of you,” Chanel said. “No elegance is possible without it.”
The story of Chanel No. 5 is well-known in fashion circles. Chanel asked Ernest Beaux, a great perfumer of the day. To develop potential fragrances. He did so, putting the potions in bottles labelled by number. Chanel chose bottle number five.
“Why not simply Chanel No.5?” she said when looking for a name.
As famous as her scent is her packaging. Like the clothes, the black and white packaging became a timeless classic.
Coco Chanel introduced two more fragrances and opened boutiques in Europe.
Design Store
Coco Chanel
MIRIS No.38724 | Impression of Chance Eau Tendre | Women Eau de Parfum | 3.4 Fl Oz / 100 ml
$25.84 ($7.60 / Fl Oz) (as of April 24, 2024 21:20 GMT +10:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
MIRIS No.21224 | Impression of Mademoiselle | Women Eau de Parfum | 3.4 Fl Oz / 100 ml
$23.53 ($6.92 / Fl Oz) (as of April 24, 2024 21:20 GMT +10:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
MIRIS No.40968 | Impression of Mademoiselle Intense | Women Eau de Parfum | 3.4 Fl Oz / 100 ml
$25.84 ($7.60 / Fl Oz) (as of April 24, 2024 21:20 GMT +10:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Eau de Parfum Spray for Women, 3.4 Fluid Ounce
COCO MADEMOISELLE by Chanel EDP Spy 3.4 oz (w)
CHANEL COCO MADEMOISELLE by Chanel
$175.80 ($103.41 / Fl Oz) (as of April 24, 2024 21:20 GMT +10:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
MIRIS No.35384 | Impression of J'adore | Women Eau de Parfum | 3.4 Fl Oz / 100 ml
$25.48 ($7.49 / Fl Oz) (as of April 24, 2024 21:20 GMT +10:00 - More infoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on [relevant Amazon Site(s), as applicable] at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.)
Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Fresh Moisture Mist, 100 ml
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