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"Coco" Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel
Born in Saumur, the Auvergne, France, on August 19 1883,
Gabrielle Chanel, nicknamed "Coco" had a very humble and unhappy
childhood. Little is known of her early years, since she didn't
like publicizing her deprived childhood. The main characteristics
in Chanel's designs are simplicity and elegance. In fact, she is
considered the designer of the 1920's, having replaced the
impractical clothing of the belle epoque with loosely fitting
casual dressing. In 1916, Chanel extended the use of jersey, a
flexible knitted material, from it's exclusive use for
undergarments to a whole variety of clothing, including her navy or
gray simple dresses. This innovation was so successful that Chanel
started elaborating her own jersey fabric designs. Chanel produced
traditional looking clothing that often borrowed ideas from the
male wardrobe and that didn't get outdated with each season new
fashion. Chanel's most common colors were navy, gray, and beige.
The importance given to details and the extensive use of costume
jewelry, with revolutionary combinations of real and fake gems,
crystal clusters, and strings of pearls, are very indicative of
Chanel's style. At the age of 71, Chanel reintroduced the "Chanel
suit" which consisted of several pieces: a cardigan-style jacket,
including her trademark gilt chain which was secured interiorly to
the hem, a comfortable simple skirt, combined with a blouse whose
fabric was coordinated with lining of the jacket. This time the
skirts were cut shorter and braid trimmed cardigan jackets were
adopted. Chanel is singular in her revolutionizing the fashion
industry with dress reform and in aiding women's struggle to
emancipation. |
