Coco Chanel's Biography

Most of you might have heard about or even wear Chanel clothes, but have you ever heard about the legendary Coco Chanel? Let’s take a look at her life story. Gabriella Bonheur “Coco” Chanel was the founder and namesake of the Chanel brand. She was born in 1883 in France. After the death of her mother, her father sent Coco and her sisters to an orphanage in Aubazine when she was 12 years old. She learned the art of sewing during her six years in Aubazine and found employment as a seamstress. She also sang at cabarets, and it was at this time she got the name Coco, possibly because of a song that she sang called “Ko Ko Ri Ko”.

In 1910, she began designing hats and became a licensed milliner (hat maker). Later she opened a hat boutique named Chanel Modes. Chanel's millinery career bloomed once theatre actress Gabrielle Dorziat wore her hats in one of her plays. She became so successful that she started opening boutiques featuring clothing, hats, accessories, jewellery and perfumes. In 1918, she bought an entire building on the Rue Cambon, one of the most fashionable districts of Paris. By 1927, Chanel owned five more properties on the Rue Cambon.

In 1939, at the beginning of World War II, Chanel closed her shops. She claimed that it was not a time for fashion and as a result of her action, 4,000 female employees lost their jobs. As some people say, Coco became extremely lonely later in life. She died on January 10th, 1971, at the Hotel Ritz, where she had resided for more than 30 years. Her nephew André Palasse, whom she raised like her son, and his two daughters, inherited most of her estate. Coco Chanel is still considered to be one of the greatest fashion designers of all time. She is the only fashion designer that Time magazine has listed as one of the 100 most influential people of the 20th century.