Coco Chanel

NAME Gabrielle Bonheur "Coco" Chanel

WHAT FAMOUS FOR Coco Chanel was a renowned French fashion designer who revolutionized women's fashion with her simple, elegant designs. She is particularly known for introducing the "Little Black Dress," popularizing tweed suits and introducing the iconic Chanel No. 5 perfume.

BIRTH She was born on August 19, 1883, in Saumur, France, to an unwed laundrywoman mother, Eugénie "Jeanne" Devolle, and an itinerant street vendor father, Albert Chanel.

FAMILY BACKGROUND Chanel came from a humble and unstable family background. Her mother was a laundrywoman, and her father was a traveling salesman who sold work clothes and undergarments. After her mother died of bronchitis in 1895, Chanel’s father sent her and her two sisters to the convent of Aubazine, a home for abandoned and orphaned girls run by the Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Mary. Her two brothers were sent to work as farm labourers 

CHILDHOOD Chanel's childhood was marked by poverty, loss, and hardship. Following her mother's death, she spent six years at the convent of Aubazine, where she learned the discipline of sewing, which would later become the foundation of her career in fashion.

EDUCATION Chanel received a basic education at the convent of Aubazine, where she learned sewing, embroidery, and other practical skills that would later help her find employment as a seamstress.

CAREER RECORD Chanel began her career as a seamstress and cabaret singer, where she acquired the nickname "Coco." 

At age 23, she became the mistress of Étienne Balsan, a wealthy ex-cavalry officer, and heir to a textile fortune. 

She began designing hats as a hobby, which quickly evolved into a business. In 1910, she became a licensed milliner and opened her first boutique in Paris, followed by shops in Deauville and Biarritz. 

Chanel expanded her brand into haute couture, perfume (introducing Chanel No. 5 in 1921), and later accessories. Her business acumen and sense of style made her a leading figure in 20th-century fashion.

APPEARANCE Chanel was known for her slim figure, short hair, and often tanned skin—a departure from the pale look that was fashionable at the time. She frequently wore her own designs, favoring simple, elegant, and practical clothing that reflected her philosophy of understated luxury.

Chanel in 1931 By Los Angeles Times Wikipedia

FASHION Chanel transformed women's fashion by introducing comfortable, practical designs such as jersey suits, the "little black dress," and costume jewelry. She promoted a casual, chic look characterized by simplicity, elegance, and a sporty lifestyle. She also popularized short hair, tanned skin, and a relaxed, modern style for women.

CHANEL NO. 5 Now, Coco Chanel was a woman with a plan. She wanted a scent that was as iconic as her designs, something that would turn heads and command attention. So, she tapped the talents of Ernest Beaux, a Russian-born perfumer with a nose for the extraordinary.

Beaux presented her with a smorgasbord of scents, numbered from 1 to 5 and 20 to 24. Chanel sniffed through them, her expression a mix of disdain and intrigue. Then, she stopped. Number 5. That was it. That was the one.

"We'll call it number five," she announced, her voice dripping with confidence. "It's lucky. It's perfect."

And so, Chanel No. 5 was born. It was a radical departure from the syrupy sweet perfumes of the day. It was clean, sophisticated, and utterly unforgettable.

But Chanel wasn't content to simply create a great perfume. She wanted to make it the most expensive perfume in the world. And how do you do that? Well, you load it up with the most precious ingredient on the planet: jasmine. Jasmine, with its delicate, intoxicating aroma, was the gold standard of perfumery. It was also incredibly expensive to extract, making it the perfect ingredient for a luxury fragrance.

Chanel introduced the new perfume to some of her friends on May 5, 1921. Chanel No. 5 was a triumph. It was a testament to her vision, her taste, and her determination to create something truly exceptional. And to this day, it remains one of the most iconic and sought-after fragrances in the world.

CHARACTER Chanel was ambitious, fiercely independent, and unapologetically bold. She was known for her sharp wit, determination, and relentless drive to succeed, often challenging societal norms and expectations.

SENSE OF HUMOUR Chanel was known for her sharp, often biting wit. She famously quipped about turning down marriage proposals from the Duke of Westminster, saying, "There have been several Duchesses of Westminster. There is only one Chanel."

RELATIONSHIPS Chanel had numerous relationships with wealthy and influential men, including Étienne Balsan, Arthur "Boy" Capel, the Grand Duke Dmitri Pavlovich of Russia, and the Duke of Westminster. She never married, choosing instead to maintain her independence and focus on her career.

MONEY AND FAME Chanel amassed significant wealth through her fashion empire and the sale of her signature perfume, Chanel No. 5. 

On May 17, 1947 she pulled off a masterstroke. After some shrewd negotiations, she'd managed to snag a hefty chunk of the wartime profits from her signature scent, Chanel No. 5. The windfall was nothing short of staggering – roughly the equivalent of nearly $10 million in today's dough.

But that wasn't all. Chanel had also secured a sweet deal for the future: a 2% cut of all Chanel No. 5 sales, worldwide. Talk about a golden goose! With that kind of income, she was looking at a projected annual haul of $25 million. Suddenly, Coco wasn't just a fashion icon; she was one of the richest women on the planet.

FOOD AND DRINK Coco Chanel's dietary habits were simple and included a fondness for seafood and champagne. She believed that consuming wine and caviar would help maintain her youthfulness. Chanel famously remarked, “I only drink champagne on two occasions: when I am in love and when I am not,” highlighting her enjoyment of this beverage.

Additionally, her routine included indulgences such as a sweet croissant with dark chocolate after her daily walks, indicating a balanced approach to her diet that allowed for both health and pleasure

MUSIC AND ARTS Chanel had a deep appreciation for the arts, including music and ballet. She was friends with artists like Pablo Picasso, Igor Stravinsky, and Sergei Diaghilev, and she supported the Ballets Russes by designing costumes for their productions.

LITERATURE Chanel read widely and was influenced by literature. She was friends with many writers, including Jean Cocteau, who admired her intellect and taste.

Numerous biographies have been written about Chanel, including Chanel and Her World (2005) by her friend Edmonde Charles-Roux

NATURE Chanel appreciated nature, often drawing inspiration from it in her designs, such as the camellia flower, which became a signature motif of her brand.

PETS Chanel loved animals, particularly dogs. She was often seen with her beloved dogs, which were a constant presence in her life.

HOBBIES AND SPORTS Chanel was known for her love of horseback riding, a passion she developed during her early years with Étienne Balsan. She also enjoyed sports like tennis and swimming, which were reflected in her designs that favored comfort and ease of movement.

SCIENCE AND MATHS Her business acumen demonstrated a keen understanding of finance, marketing, and brand management.

PHILOSOPHY & THEOLOGY Raised in a convent, Chanel’s early life was influenced by Catholicism, but she later distanced herself from formal religion. Her philosophy emphasized independence, simplicity, and the importance of personal style.

POLITICS Chanel was not openly political, but her associations during World War II and her attempt to take advantage of Jewish business partners during the Nazi occupation reflected controversial political entanglements.

SCANDAL Chanel's reputation was tarnished by accusations of collaboration with the Nazis during World War II. She had an affair with Baron Hans Günther von Dincklage, a German intelligence officer, and attempted to take control of her perfume company from her Jewish business partners, the Wertheimer brothers, during the Nazi occupation of France.

MILITARY RECORD Chanel was controversially linked to German intelligence during World War II.

HEALTH AND PHYSICAL FITNESS  Chanel maintained a slim and athletic figure, likely due to her active lifestyle, which included sports such as riding, tennis, and swimming.

HOMES Chanel lived at the luxurious Ritz Hotel in Paris for over 30 years, including during the German occupation of World War II. She also had residences in Switzerland and on the French Riviera.

TRAVEL Chanel traveled extensively, particularly throughout Europe, as part of her business ventures and personal relationships.

DEATH Chanel died on January 10, 1971, in her apartment at the Ritz Hotel in Paris, where she had lived for more than three decades.

APPEARANCES IN MEDIA Coco Chanel has been extensively portrayed in various media forms over the years, cementing her status as a cultural icon. 

Here are some key appearances of Coco Chanel in media:

Films: 

Chanel Solitaire (1981): An earlier biopic starring Marie-France Pisier as Chanel.

Coco Before Chanel (2009): A biographical film starring Audrey Tautou as the young Chanel, focusing on her early life and rise to fame.

Coco Chanel & Igor Stravinsky (2009): Another biographical film exploring Chanel's alleged affair with composer Igor Stravinsky.

Television:

Coco Chanel (2008): A TV movie starring Shirley MacLaine as the 70-year-old Chanel, depicting her comeback in the 1950s.

Cristóbal Balenciaga (2023): A Disney+ mini-series where Chanel is portrayed by Anouk Grinberg.

The New Look (2024): An Apple TV+ series featuring Juliette Binoche as Chanel during World War II and the early post-war era.

Theatre:

Coco (1969): A Broadway musical starring Katharine Hepburn as Chanel, set during her 1953-1954 comeback.

Coco Chanel: The Life of a Fashion Icon (2023): A ballet co-produced by Atlanta Ballet, Hong Kong Ballet, and Queensland Ballet.

Documentaries:

Coco Chanel Unbuttoned (2023): A BBC documentary exploring the complexities of Chanel's life and legacy.

ACHIEVEMENTS Chanel  is credited with transforming women's fashion, liberating them from restrictive clothing, and introducing a modern, casual style that remains influential today. 

Chanel was the only fashion designer named on Time magazine's list of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century.

The House of Chanel continues to be a major force in the fashion world, maintaining its status as a member of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture in Paris.