Coco Chanel Biography

Gabrielle Coco Chanel was born in 1883 in the poorhouse where her mother worked. Coco would later try to hide her humble beginnings and age saying she was born in 1893 in Auvergne rather than Saumur.

Her mother died when she was twelve (though she sometimes said six) and her father quickly sent her to live at a Catholic Monastery and at times, with relatives. The "silver lining" was that she became a proficient seamstress, being well taught by the nuns at the monastery and later by her aunts.

The name Coco came about during a short stint as a singer. Around 1910 she was able to open her own hat store, largely in part due to a couple wealthy lovers. These men also helped her find high end clientele. When her hats quickly caught on, Coco branched out in her products. Her designs were very unique, given that the fashion of her day was high necked corsets and the like. She used unique materials and her clothes were less rigid and more male oriented, which was a welcome change for women at that time.

Throughout the 1920s she put out some of her most well known designs and products, such as her Chanel No. 5 fragrance, the signature cardigan jacket, and "the little black dress".

Her popularity was greatly diminished during and after the second world war due to an affair with a Nazi officer. However, she made her comeback in the mid 1950s, regaining her popularity and continuing with her groundbreaking designs. Coco died at age 88 in 1971. Her work continues to be some of the most influential of her time and ours.

For some great Coco Chanel quotes click here.