Information On Chanel

Chanel’s first millinery shop opened in 1912 to the 1920s Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel went on to become one of the premier fashion designers in Paris. Replacing the corset with comfort and casual elegance, Chanel fashion themes included straightforward suits and dresses to women's trousers, costume jewelry, perfume and textiles.

Chanel claimed a birthdate of 1893 and a birthplace of Auvergne; however Chanel was actually born in 1883 in Saumur – and Chanel’s mother worked in the poorhouse where Chanel was born, and died when Chanel was only six, leaving her father with five children whom he without delay abandoned to the care of relatives.

Chanel adopted the name Coco during a short career as a cafe and concert singers 1905-1908. First a mistress of a wealthy military officer then of an English industrialist, Chanel drew on the resources of these patrons in setting up a millinery shop in Paris in 1910, expanding to Deauville and Biarritz. The two men also helped Chanel find customers among women of society, and Chanel’s simple hats became well-liked.

Soon Chanel was expanding to couture, working in jersey, a first in the French fashion world. By the 1920s, Chanel fashion house had expanded considerably, and Chanel top set a fashion trend with its "little boy" look. Chanel relaxed fashions, short skirts, and casual look were in sharp contrast to the corset fashions popular in the previous decades. Chanel herself dressed in mannish clothes, and adapted these more comfortable fashions which other women also found liberating.

In 1922 Chanel introduced a perfume, Chanel No. 5, which became and remained popular, and remains a profitable product of Chanel's company. Pierre Wertheimer became Chanel’s partner in the perfume business in 1924, and perhaps also her lover. Wertheimer owned 70% of the company; Coco Chanel received 10% and her friend Bader 20%. The Wertheimers continue to control the perfume company today.

Coco Chanel introduced Chanel signature cardigan jacket in 1925 and signature "little black dress" in 1926. Most of Chanel fashions had a staying power, and didn't change much from year to year -- or even generation to generation.

Chanel for a short time served as a nurse in World War I. Nazi occupation meant the fashion business in Paris was cut off for some years; Chanel's affair during World War II with a Nazi officer also resulted in some years of diminished popularity and an exile of sorts to Switzerland. In 1954 Chanel comeback restored Chanel to the first ranks of haute couture. Her natural, casual clothing including the Chanel suit once again caught the eye -- and purses -- of women. Chanel introduced pea jackets and bell bottom pants for women. Chanel was still working in 1971 when she died. Karl Lagerfeld has been chief designer of Chanel's fashion house since 1983.

In addition to her work with high fashion, Chanel also designed stage costumes for such plays as Cocteau's Antigone (1923) and Oedipus Rex (1937) and film costumes for several movies, including Renoir's La Regle de Jeu. Katharine Hepburn starred in the 1969 Broadway musical Coco based on the life of Coco Chanel.