Coco: The woman behind Chanel

Coco Chanel was born Gabrielle Bonheur 'Coco' Chanel in France on the 19th August 1883 to Albert Chanel and  Jeanne Devolle.Coco's mother Jeanne died when she was 12 and Coco's father Albert left the family.Coco spent 6 six years in a orphanage where nuns taught her the trade of  a seamstress.

After working as a cabaret singer, Coco worked in a tailoring shop and began designing hats in her spare time.In 1909, Coco began a relationship with Captain Arthur Edward Capel who financed the opening of Coco's first boutique  'Chanel Modes' in Paris. After experiencing success with her Paris boutique Coco opened a second in Deauville where she introduced casual clothing. In 1924,'Chanel No.5' was released.


In 1939,at the beginning of the second World War, Coco decided to close her boutiques as she believed it was not the time for fashion. In 1945,Coco moved to Switzerland, returning to Paris in 1954.Coco re-established her couture house the same year she returned to Paris.

Coco's death in 1971 at the age of 87 was certainly not the end of 'Chanel'. Since 1983,the fashion house has thrived under Karl Lagerfeld.



''Fashion fades,only style remains the same''-Coco Chanel