From her first millinery shop, opened in 1912, to the 1920s, Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel rose to become one of the premier fashion designers in Paris, France. Replacing the corset with comfort and casual elegance, her fashion themes included simple suits and dresses, women's trousers, costume jewelry, perfume and textiles.
Coco Chanel introduced her signature cardigan jacket in 1925 and signature "little black dress" in 1926. Most of her fashions had a staying power, and didn't change much from year to year -- or even generation to generation.
Gabrielle Chanel left the world with a legacy of wise and witty quotes. As well as where to wear your perfume and the difficulties of wearing a LBD, Mademoiselle Chanel imparted her thoughts on fashion versus style, work, men and destiny. Here, there is a selection of my favourite quotes from fashion's Grand Dame.
"A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous."
“Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.”
“A fashion that does not reach the streets is not a fashion.”
“Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.”
“ Fashion is architecture: it is a matter of proportions.”
“Fashion has become a joke. The designers have forgotten that there are women inside the dresses. Most women dress for men and want to be admired. But they must also be able to move, to get into a car without bursting their seams! Clothes must have a natural shape.” "Where should one use perfume?" a young woman asked. "Wherever one wants to be kissed," I said.
“I don't understand how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little - if only out of politeness. And then, you never know, maybe that's the day she has a date with destiny. And it's best to be as pretty as possible for destiny.”
“Legend is the consecration of celebrity.”
“My friends, there are no friends.” “There is no time for cut-and-dried monotony. There is time for work. And time for love. That leaves no other time.”
From her use of monochrome to her oversized 'costume' pearls and cuffs, everything is still sublimely, continuously referenced. As she herself once said: "Fashion fades, only style remains the same."
She created a new look for women in the 20th century, creating clothes that were primarily comfortable. A Chanel suit of 1923 or handbag is still seen as a landmark purchase for women of increasingly younger ages.
Coco Chanel's bobbed hair, bright red lips and outspoken manner also broke the mould.
The Chanel No.5 scent is the best selling in the world. Keira Knightley followed Kate Moss as the new face of Coco Mademoiselle in 2007. The brand could not be more alive with watches, beauty, fragrance, women’s wear and new stores.
In 2009 a biopic film based on her life titled 'Coco before Chanel' was released. Audrey Tatou was given the lead-role and follows as she goes from orphan to Haute Couture designer.
Coco Chanel has been putting out some witty marketing techniques. For example, take a look at this particular marketing scheme of blatantly replacing Mcdonald’s french fries and hamburger boxes with Coco Chanel’s own, and not to mention the fact of sticking in that equally witty quote by Karl Lagerfeld.“Fashion is the healthiest motivation for losing weight.”
Gabrielle ’Coco’ Chanel is a legendary fashion icon who, even if you’re not a fashion follower, have been unsuspectingly influenced by her genius. Coco Chanel, synonymous with impeccable and timeless garments and deliciously pungent perfume, was named one of, Time 100: The Most Important People of the Century. It’s an honor only suiting for the founder of fashion powerhouse, Chanel.
It’s hard to imagine a world without where Coco Chanel. Especially since her designs were not only groundbreaking but paved the way to many popular designers that we’ve grown to love. We love her, we love her designs, we love the brand, we ♥ CHANEL!!!!!!
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