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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 Chanel produced traditional looking clothing that often borrowed ideas from the male wardrobe and that didn't get outdated with each season new fashion.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.
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