Coco Chanel

Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, known as Coco Chanel, was born to Eugénie Jeanne Devolle and Albert Chanel. Her early life was marked by poverty and the absence of her father after her mother's death.

After her mother's death, Chanel was sent to live in an orphanage run by nuns in Aubazine, where she learned the art of sewing, a skill that would later shape her career.

Chanel began performing in cabarets, where she adopted the nickname 'Coco.' Her performances included singing at the Moulin de la Galette in Vichy and Moulins.

With financial support from her lover, Étienne Balsan, Chanel opened her first millinery shop, Chanel Modes, in Paris. This marked the beginning of her fashion empire.

Chanel opened a boutique in Deauville, focusing on women's sportswear. Her designs emphasized comfort and practicality, which quickly gained popularity among the fashionable elite.

Chanel collaborated with perfumer Ernest Beaux to create Chanel No. 5, the first fragrance to bear a designer's name. It became an instant success and remains iconic today.

Chanel revolutionized women's fashion with the introduction of the Little Black Dress, a simple yet elegant design that became a staple in women's wardrobes.

Due to the outbreak of World War II, Chanel closed her fashion houses and moved to Switzerland, marking a period of relative inactivity in her career.

At the age of 71, Chanel made a triumphant return to the fashion world by reopening her fashion house. Her comeback was met with critical acclaim and reestablished her as a leading designer.

Coco Chanel died in her suite at the Ritz Hotel in Paris. Her legacy as a pioneering fashion designer and businesswoman continues to influence the industry today.