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Coco Chanel 1883 - 1971

Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel of Paris, Paris County, IDF France was born on August 19, 1883 in Saumur, Maine-et-Loire County, Pays De La Loire, and died at age 87 years old on January 10, 1971 in Paris, Paris County, Île-de-France.

Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel

Paris, Paris County, IDF France

August 19, 1883

Saumur, Maine-et-Loire County, Pays De La Loire, 49400, France

January 10, 1971

Paris, Paris County, Île-de-France, France

Female

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Coco Chanel Gabrielle Chanel (1883 - 1971)

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Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel's History: 1883 - 1971

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Introduction

Gabrielle Bonheur "Coco" Chanel, an iconic figure in the world of fashion, revolutionized the way women dress and perceive style. Born on August 19, 1883, in Saumur, France, Chanel's journey from humble beginnings to global fashion dominance is a testament to her resilience, creativity, and audacity. Raised in an orphanage after the death of her mother, Chanel's early life was marked by modesty and resourcefulness. Yet, these humble beginnings laid the groundwork for her future as a trailblazer in the fashion industry. Coco Chanel's influence on fashion is immeasurable. She challenged the conventions of her time, liberating women from corsets and introducing a new era of elegance and comfort. Her timeless designs, including the iconic Chanel suit, the little black dress, and the quilted handbag, remain cultural touchstones and continue to shape the fashion landscape. Beyond her contributions to haute couture, Chanel's life was marked by a spirit of independence and innovation. Her affairs with influential men, her friendships with artists and intellectuals, and her penchant for challenging societal norms added layers to her enigmatic persona. As the founder of the Chanel brand, Coco Chanel's legacy extends far beyond her lifetime. Her impact on fashion endures, and her influence on the empowerment of women in the 20th century remains an integral part of her story. The tale of Coco Chanel is one of resilience, innovation, and an enduring commitment to redefining the language of style.
08/19

1883

Birthday

August 19, 1883

Birthdate

Saumur, Maine-et-Loire County, Pays De La Loire 49400, France

Birthplace

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Ethnicity & Family History

Coco Chanel, born Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel on August 19, 1883, in Saumur, France, had a family history marked by modesty and challenges. While specific details about her ethnicity are rooted in French heritage, her family background reflects the struggles of the working class during the late 19th century. Coco Chanel's parents, Albert Chanel and Jeanne Devolle, were not affluent, and her early years were marked by hardship. Following the death of her mother, Chanel and her siblings were sent to an orphanage, where they spent their formative years. This challenging upbringing played a significant role in shaping Chanel's character and instilling in her a sense of self-reliance. The family history of Coco Chanel is intertwined with her journey from humble beginnings to global prominence. The struggles she faced during her youth, coupled with her determination and entrepreneurial spirit, propelled her to redefine fashion and become an influential figure in the industry.
Nationality & Locations

Chanel's early years were spent in Saumur, a town in the Loire Valley. It was in this modest setting that she experienced her formative years and developed the resilience that would later define her. After spending time in an orphanage in Aubazine, Chanel, still in her youth, worked as a seamstress in the town of Moulins. It was here that she gained practical experience in fashion and began to cultivate her unique sense of style. Chanel's trajectory toward fashion stardom accelerated when she moved to the coastal town of Deauville. In this glamorous resort town, she opened her first hat shop in 1910, attracting the attention of the elite and laying the foundation for her future success. Paris, the epicenter of the fashion world, became Coco Chanel's true home. In the early 20th century, she established her iconic boutique at 31 Rue Cambon, marking the beginning of her influential career. Paris would remain her base of operations, and her contributions to the city's fashion scene became legendary. During World War II, Chanel lived at the Ritz Hotel in Paris. Despite the tumultuous times, her association with the hotel and its esteemed clientele reflected her enduring influence in the world of fashion.
Early Life & Education

Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel experienced a challenging yet formative early life that would shape her into one of the most influential figures in the world of fashion. Her early life was marked by adversity. Following the death of her mother, Jeanne Devolle, she and her siblings were sent to an orphanage in Aubazine. This period of her life deeply influenced her character and instilled in her a sense of independence. During her time at the orphanage, Chanel received a basic education within the confines of the convent's teachings. This early exposure to a structured environment laid the foundation for her disciplined and pragmatic approach to life. Chanel's interest in fashion and sewing began during her time at the convent. The nuns taught her the art of sewing, and this skill would later play a crucial role in her career. It was in these early years that she developed a love for simplicity and practicality in clothing. After leaving the orphanage, she moved to the town of Moulins, where she worked as a seamstress. This period of her life provided practical experience in the world of fashion and allowed her to hone her craft. Chanel's journey took a significant turn when she moved to Deauville, a glamorous resort town. It was here that she opened her first hat shop in 1910, gaining attention for her innovative designs and catching the eye of influential figures. Unlike many designers of her time, Coco Chanel did not receive formal education in fashion. Her education was largely experiential, influenced by her observations, interactions, and innate creativity.
Religious Beliefs

Raised as a Catholic and lapsed.
Military Service

Chanel's personal life was not immune to controversy. During World War II, she faced criticism for her associations, including a romantic relationship with a German officer. This period led to a temporary hiatus in her career, and she lived in Switzerland during the war.
Professional Career

Coco Chanel's professional career is synonymous with revolutionizing the fashion industry, creating timeless designs, and establishing an enduring legacy that continues to influence haute couture to this day. Born on August 19, 1883, in Saumur, France, Chanel's journey from a humble background to becoming a pioneering force in the world of fashion is a testament to her vision and tenacity. Chanel's early career involved humble beginnings as a seamstress in the town of Moulins. Her journey gained momentum when she opened her first hat shop in Deauville in 1910. This marked the beginning of her foray into fashion, where she quickly gained attention for her innovative designs. Chanel's signature style was characterized by simplicity, functionality, and a departure from the elaborate fashions of the time. She introduced the iconic little black dress, the Chanel suit with a collarless jacket and fitted skirt, and the timeless Chanel No. 5 perfume. Chanel's influence expanded with the opening of her boutique at 31 Rue Cambon in Paris in 1918. This became the epicenter of her fashion empire, attracting high-profile clients and establishing her as a trendsetter. Chanel's influence extended beyond clothing to accessories and jewelry. She popularized costume jewelry, introducing faux pearls and classic Chanel logos. Her designs were often inspired by menswear, liberating women from the constraints of corsets and emphasizing comfort and functionality. Her career faced challenges during World War II, and she temporarily closed her business. However, she made a triumphant comeback in the 1950s, introducing the Chanel 2.55 handbag with its distinctive chain strap. Coco Chanel's impact on the fashion industry is immeasurable. Her emphasis on elegance, simplicity, and comfort revolutionized women's fashion. The interlocking CC logo and the timeless designs she created continue to define the essence of chic and sophistication.
Personal Life & Family

Chanel's early life was marked by adversity. After the death of her mother, Jeanne Devolle, she and her siblings were placed in an orphanage in Aubazine. This challenging upbringing significantly influenced her resilience and determination. She had several romantic relationships throughout her life. She was involved with influential figures such as Captain Arthur Edward "Boy" Capel, whose support played a pivotal role in her early career. Chanel's relationships with other influential men, including the Duke of Westminster, enriched her personal life. Gabrielle had siblings, including sisters Antoinette and Julia, with whom she shared the experience of growing up in the orphanage. While Chanel's success allowed her to provide financial support to her siblings later in life, their relationships were not always without tension. She did not have children of her own, and her romantic relationships did not result in marriage. However, her legacy extends beyond her immediate family. The brand she created, Chanel, became her enduring legacy, influencing generations of designers and setting the standard for timeless elegance.
01/10

1971

Death

January 10, 1971

Death date

Unknown
Cause of death

Paris, Paris County, Île-de-France France
Death location

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Obituary

PARIS, Jan. 10—Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel, one of the greatest couturiers of the 20th century, died tonight in her apartment at the Ritz Hotel. She was 87 years old. The death of Coco, as she was known the world over, was announced by close friends. They said that her death came peacefully and that nothing in recent days had indicated she was in bad health. The cause of death was not immediately known. Her friends said that chambermaid discovered that Coco was ill and called a physician. Coco's death occurred as she was working on her collection to be presented in the spring fashion shows this month. Her life story was turned into a musical, “Coco,” which ran on Broadway last year starring Katharine Hepburn in her first singing and dancing role. Miss Hepburn, 60 at the time the show opened, was termed “too old” for the part by the tart tongued Coco, Who was 86. In addition to Chanel philosophy, the show featured many models parading in the popular fashions Chanel designed through her long career. Chanel dominated the Paris fashion world in the nineteen twenties and at the height of her career was running four business enterprises—a fashion house, a textile business, per fume laboratories and a work shop for costume jewelry— that altogether employed 3,500 workers. It was perhaps her perfume more than her fashions that made the name Chanel famous around the world. Called simply “Chanel No. 5”—she had been told by a fortune‐teller that five was her lucky number—it made Coco a millionaire.

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