Coco Chanel is one of the most recognizable fashion designers in history. Her signature short and straight hair, tiny pencil skirt, and bold check pattern were copied by countless other fashion designers. The woman behind these looks was a man named Victorine Gabrielle Chanel.
She went by Coco Chanel. She has become so influential that she’s not just a designer; she’s a brand. From her first perfume, No 6, to her most recent fragrance, COCO by Chanel No. 5, it’s safe to say that Coco has been continuously reinventing herself since 1921.
From a French mermaid to the founder of Chanel
When Coco Chanel was born in 1883, the French Riviera was a popular vacation destination for the well-off set. The coast of Nice was a hotspot for bohemians, artists, and writers, who would frequent the area for its relaxed atmosphere.
The relaxed atmosphere did not sit well with the bourgeoisie, who built an artificial town in the middle of the beautiful landscape to keep the plebeians out of sight. The town was called “the white city.”
The Riviera’s relaxed atmosphere inspired many artists to dream of living in the bright, sunny city on the coast. Coco Chanel was one of these artists. She loved the area’s art scene and the open-mindedness of the locals.
However, the younger generation was not welcome. At the age of 18, Coco left the Riviera and moved to Paris to pursue a career in fashion.
Coco’s journey to fame
When Coco arrived in Paris, she found a bustling fashion scene, but it wasn’t a welcoming one. The fashion capital of the world was not extremely pleased to have a new designer on the block. When Coco showed her first collection, called “The Little Black Dress,” the press was extremely harsh; they called her a “mermaid” and said that her designs were too revealing.
Coco’s reputation as a designer was built on the fact that she had created a black dress that she knew was “too much.” Her confidence was bolstered by the fact that she was younger than most of her competition at the time, and she was unafraid to do things her own way.
As Coco continued to push the envelope, fashion writers began to notice her talent and innovative designs. She began to collaborate with other big-name artisans, such as Christian Dior, who was already a leading name in haute couture. This partnership helped to elevate Coco’s already-impressive reputation in the fashion world.
The creation of the “Chanel No. 5” perfume
Back when Coco was designing clothing, perfumes weren’t as popular as they are today. Perfumes were used to mask the smell of cigarettes, which were becoming more and more common around the turn of the 20th century.
The growing popularity of Chanel No. 5, which was launched in 1921, is mainly attributed to Coco’s rise to fame. Coco noticed how people were becoming more accustomed to wearing perfumes and were eager to capitalize on this trend. The No. 5 perfume, which was her first perfume, was a milestone in perfume history.
It was a scent that people were willing to wear every day and was affordable enough for a normal person to buy. With the No. 5 perfume, Coco was able to create a scent that was fresh and clean, but still sexy and appealing.
After World War II
After World War II, Coco Chanel was faced with a new and different challenge than she faced during World War I: men. The war caused a decline in the number of men in the workforce, which created a huge demand for jobs, mainly in the service industry.
Women were eager to find jobs, so Coco launched a series of products called “The New Look,” which aimed to update women’s wardrobes and give them more confidence. The New Look was an instant success, mainly because Coco Chanel created it with the common woman in mind.
The look that she came up with was a simple silhouette a blazer and a pencil skirt that was modern and appropriate for any job. The New Look was a success not only because of how it looked but also because of how it felt. It was a look that was approachable and easy to wear without sacrificing style.
Coco’s final perfume and closure
In 1992, Coco Chanel closed its perfume and makeup lines, which were run by the house of Chanel. This was done in response to a decline in sales. Chanel’s perfumes were a major part of its brand image, and without them, the brand would lose its identity.
Coco Chanel knew that this was a risky move, and they were right to be cautious. The house Chanel launched a new perfume called COCO by Chanel in 1992. The original No. 5 perfume is still available for sale, but it’s not for sale in stores.
Future plans for the brand
Coco Chanel has certainly lived up to the standard of what the brand stands for. Coco is not just the designer who created this brand, but he is also the woman who transformed fashion from a male-dominated industry to a more female-friendly one.
When Coco chanel was designing her clothes, fashion was a man’s industry. When she decided to launch her own line of fashion, she was even more revolutionary. Her designs were simple and crafted for all types of women, and she was able to do this without offending any specific gender.
Coco Chanel is one of the most recognizable fashion designers in history and a brand worth remembering.
Final Words
As Coco Chanel once said, “Fashion is a city built on the back of the woman and the future of the man.” Chanel is living proof that she was right. Her designs helped to shape fashion in a way that was inclusive, affordable, and approachable for all types of women.
However, the fashion industry is full of ups and downs, and Chanel’s fall from grace was just as dramatic as her rise to fame. Chanel will continue to live on in the minds of fashion lovers for years to come, as long as they remember to wear the brand with confidence and pride.
