See Also: Chanel, Gabrielle(encyclopedia)

Chanel, Gabrielle (sh)




known as Coco Chanel

born Aug. 19, 1883, Saumur, France
died Jan. 10, 1971, Paris

French fashion designer.

Little is known of her early life. In 1913 she opened a millinery shop in Deauville, and within five years her innovative use of jersey fabric and accessories was attracting wealthy patrons. Her nonconformist designs, stressing simplicity and comfort, revolutionized the fashion industry for the next 30 years. She popularized turtleneck sweaters, the "little black dress," and the much-copied "Chanel suit." Chanel industries included a Parisian fashion house, a textile business, perfume laboratories, and a workshop for costume jewelry. The financial basis of her empire was Chanel No. 5 perfume, introduced in 1922 and still popular.