Coco Chanel by Jennifer Dempster

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Coco Chanel

Published on Nov 21, 2015

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Chanel's success as a timeless designer comes from her very practical approach to women's fashion. According to Chanel, "real elegance comes from being comfortable in ones clothes".
Gabrielle Chanel was born in poverty to her unmarried parents. Her father was not in her life and her mother died when Chanel was 12. As a result she lived in an orphanage where she was taught how to sew.
Gabrielle was energetic, spirited, and determined to leave her deprived childhood behind her.
Chanel used her sewing skills and fine eye to create hats that were simple and stylish.

When Chanel created her fashion house, she decided that women needed comfort and freedom of movement just as much as men did. She eliminated the corset and invented the concept of "sports clothes" that could be worn at a variety of informal occasions.
She used fabrics formerly considered low-class and too practical to be fashionable such as jersey knits and wools to make beautiful, expensive suits.

One of Chanel's most enduring contributions to women's fashions was the "Little Black Dress".
The little black dress is still successful to this day and is an essential for any woman's wardrobe. This is because it is functional and figure-flattering.
The design was so successful as it replaced structured silhouettes and uncomfortable fashion.

In 1926, Chanel shocked some and thrilled others by adding trousers for women to her clothing line.
An example of Chanel's haute couture technique is the woollen Chanel suit- a knee-length skirt and a cardigan-style jacket trimmed and decorated with black embroidery and gold-buttons.
This look also challenged the norm of women's fashion at the time.

The introduction of the Brenton Stripe top from the traditional working-class to female fashion was a breakaway from the heavily corseted Belle Époque fashion of the time. The introduction of more casual wear to women's fashion was required at the time due to the popularity of seaside destinations such as Saint Tropez.
Chanel designed the piece to be paired with long flared trousers. As the style adapted during the 1930's, the upper class would pair the top with a cravat, blazer and shorts.

In February 1955, Coco Chanel launched the 2.55 quilted handbag, a design that is still adored 60 years later and one of the most recognisable fashion icons today.
Chanel no longer wanted to hold her bags and losing them so she designed a double-chain shoulder strap.
The quilted design was influenced by several sources such as jockey's riding coats, stain-glass windows and cushions. With the use of a running stitch,the bag holds its shape and volume well.