Tips & Trends | History of Chanel

The history of Chanel is intriguing; there is so much to talk about when it comes to this iconic French brand. We love the brand, and understanding the woman behind the brand has us appreciating it a lot more! Today, we’re taking you back to the 20th century, when designer Coco Chanel made history!

Miss Coco Chanel is timeless and so are her designs. She innovated trademark pieces such as the little black dress, which every woman has come to adore and encounter some point or another in our closets.  Although, Coco Chanel’s life wasn’t always about fine fabrics, sweet smelling perfumes and designer suits. Her mother died at a young age, and her father, who worked as a peddler, put Chanel in an orphanage. Perhaps we have the the nuns who raised Chanel to thank – they were the ones who taught her how to sew.
Even though she had a rough start in life, she grew into a young woman who dreamed of designing clothes for women that were comfortable. Chanel opened her first shop on Paris’s Rue Cambon in 1910, selling hats. With the opening of her second and third store, also came her designed garments. She found success in creating and designing a dress fashioned out of and old jersey on a chilly day. She received so much praise for this dress that she offered to make them others. “My fortune is built on that old jersey that I’d put on because it was cold in Deauville,” she once said.

In 1925, she introduced the legendary suit with a collarless jacket and a fitted skirt. What can we say? Her designs were revolutionary and innovative at the time. She paved the way for the designers of today, borrowing elements of menswear and emphasizing comfort, versus a restraining and uncomfortable silhouette. Goodbye uncomfortable corsets and hello comfort!

The little black dress is a staple that every girl needs in their wardrobe. I dare you to name one girl who doesn’t have a little black dress in their closet! The key takeaway from this piece of designer history is that Coco Chanel took a colour that was associated with mourning, and made it into something much more than that. She showed that this colour could be chic, and most importantly, timeless, for an evening wear look.

Today, Chanel is a household name. A brand, that no matter where you are, you know and most definitely will never forget. Chanel demonstrated that comfortable can still be beautiful!

If you’re looking for a Chanel piece to add to your wardrobe you should check out our Chanel Navy pointed toe pumps. Otherwise, let us know which designer(s) has influenced your life!

Designer Swap is Canada’s online luxury consignment shop and Toronto-based fashion blog. We sell authentic and pre-loved designer pieces and write about the newest fashion and beauty trends. Make sure to check us out on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest!

Images courtesy alux.com, riceandbeansvintage.com, pinterest.com, thecitizensoffashion.com, elle.com, iledebeaute.ru

Source:

Coco Chanel Biography