Growing up, this woman had been abandoned by her father, leaving her and her siblings to become orphans. Although she grew up very poor, she strove to make a name for herself and be somebody important in the world, and she has since become famous for her fragrances, signature handbags, and the modern breakthrough in women’s fashion associated with her, revolutionizing the world of fashion one piece of clothing at a time. She was the French fashion designer Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel. Being filled with the “desire for independence and need to be different,” Chanel freed women from tight corsets and introduced them to new comfortable loose clothing.1
During the 1920’s, Chanel had become one of the most powerful designers, creating a variety of fashionable clothing worn by women, and even influencing the “flappers.”2 Prior to her “revolution in fashion,” the fashion industry had been ruled by men, and clothes were made from a male’s viewpoint for how women should dress. But she introduced an entirely different concept of women’s fashion to the world. In the years before 1919, fitted vibrant colored clothing was the signature look, where black or dark clothing were only worn at funerals and at times of mourning. She even began attending many high social functions wearing pants, making something that was never done before a new trend in women’s fashion.3 Her style was one of a kind. She designed her clothing from her own viewpoint, as a woman, wearing what she saw as most comfortable.
Her creations instantaneously became the uniform of the modern women. It all started with the explosion of a gas burner while getting ready for an event in 1926. She found herself troubled trying to get the water temperate enough to wash her face. Wearing a simple white dress, she tried to alter the gas flame when it exploded surprisingly. Her white dress was now fully coated with soot. The explosion resulted in the creation of the legendary “Little Black Dress.”4 The original little black dress was plain and simple. It was a long-sleeved black fitted, but also comfortable creped, dress.5 It was a tragedy that led to the innovation of a lifetime. Chanel had created the perfect dress, suitable for any occasion, elegant or casual. “It defined the essence of modern, liberated women and reflected a change.”6
When the famous actress Audrey Hepburn wore the dress in 1961, it brought more attraction to the style and simplicity of the Little Black Dress. It became more idolized and desired. The fame of the little black dress increased due to its exposure in Hepburn’s iconic movie, Breakfast at Tiffany’s. She portrayed a character named Holly Golightly.7 Chanel’s fashion was frequently displayed among the high social class. She dressed many famous individuals such as Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, Princess Diana, Madonna, and Jackie Kennedy.8
Through the years, the Little Black Dress became knows as the LBD. It came to be a necessity in every woman’s attire. It could be used for any type of occasion. Generations after generations, the dress has changed drastically. The LBD went from a fitted design to a more fashionable cocktail dress for special events. The LBD has become a trademark, displaying the transformation of fashion and dress since at least the late 1920’s. We are now in the twenty-first century; the little black dress remains a mainstay of the clothing industry and a must in the wardrobe of every woman. Even after four decades after her death, Chanel remains an icon. She played a very important role in the revolution of women’s fashion. Thanks to Chanel’s bold attitude and braveness, she broke the “rules” and transformed fashion.
- Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2004, s.v. “Coco Chanel.” ↵
- St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture, April 2013, s.v. “Chanel, Coco,” by Richard Martin. ↵
- Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2004, s.v. “Coco Chanel.” ↵
- Isabella Alston and Kathryn Dixon, Coco Chanel (United States: Bellagio Press, 2014), 34. ↵
- Isabelle Fiemeyer, “Chanel the Enigma,” France Today Vol.32, No. 1 (2016): 83. ↵
- Deborah Felder, The 100 most influential women of all time: a ranking past and present (New Jersey: Citadel, 1996), 175. ↵
- Nancy Wingston, “It starts with a little black dress,” Toronto Star (2016). ↵
- Isabella Alston and Kathryn Dixon, Coco Chanel (United States: Bellagio Press, 2014), 90. ↵
166 comments
Maria Callejas
First of all, great introduction! You build it up in a way that it intensifies the mood, and the need to know who this wonderful woman is. Besides knowing she is the face behind the colossal “Chanel”, I had no knowledge about Coco Chanel’s life. Indeed, she is a remarkable woman, and you make that clear throughout your piece. You provide insightful evidence, that clearly depict how she “introduced an entirely different concept of women’s fashion to the world”. She was bold, she was fearless. What an amazing article, on an amazing woman!
Angela Rodriguez
It’s always rewarding to hear, how there living situation might have not been the most ideal but the way in which they were able to learn from it and motivate themselves to live a better life. Gabreille “Coco” Chanel changed the way woman dressed, who would have known that a gas flame explosion inspired the famous Little Black Dress. A dress in which many women all over the world have hanging in their closets.
Tara Sellers
It is interesting to know that there weren’t many women in fashion back in the 1920’2. I know that women were mostly stay at home moms back then, but I never thought about the fact that men were controlling how women dressed. The evolution of the little black dress is fascinating. What if she never got soot all over her white dress? Then are women’s fashion would probably be very different today.
Alondra Aviles
Channel has been a popular brand that has grown in popularity and continues to make new merchandise. Personally, I am a huge fan of their products. Her unique style allowed her to express herself and attract attention to her growing trend. The article was well written and simple, I really enjoyed reading about the story behind the now popular brand. Channel is worth appraisal for her bold moves in moving fashion in a direction that not many would consider possible. Wearing dark colors is now part of everyday attire; the dresses she created were elegant and really made an impact on the fashion industry. Her influence continues to inspire many designers and her “little black dress” will continue to be an iconic piece of art, history, and fashion.
Andrew Rodriguez
The fashion industry has always been ruled by men which was odd to me. Since we didn’t have the mindset of what a woman wanted to wear. Chanel tackled this issue in a very simplistic type of way with her dress, being simply black and loose. I had no knowledge of her being a orphan that was very interesting, she fought threw that to become what she did is impressive. This was a very well written article and researched.
Thomas Fraire
Growing up and listening to hip-hop they anyways would make references to Coco Chanel and her little black dress. I had always wondered what they were referring to and what it meant. After reading this, it made all of that click, and it’s cool how she started a trend for women that is still around in present day.
Morghan Armenta
Interesting…I never knew the infamous little black dress was invented by CoCo Chanel by complete and utter accident. That is hilarious and I am glad the author chose to include it in this read. Super thankful that she broke down gender stereotypes and earned herself a fashion icon status in the process too. Goes to show that creativity is an essential part of being successful, awesome article!
Evelin Joseph
Everyone knows the brand Chanel, so learning the origins and woman behind it was definitely exciting. It was so cool to learn that she brought about revolution in fashion and made clothes for women that were comfortable and fashionable. Even though I’ve always heard the phrase “little black dress,” I never imagined that there was such a story behind it. Overall, it was great to learn about Chanel’s transformation from an orphan into one of the most influential women of her time.
Belene Cuellar
Now I know who I can thank for the many black dresses I have in my closet. This article is so inspiring to me as a woman who loves to dress up, but be comfortable at the same time. I think it’s important for woman to know who they are as a person so that they can express themselves in any way. The author did a good job in laying out Chanel’s life and how she strived to become a successful person.
Jasmine Martinez
I really liked this article. I love how much Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel had contributed to the female fashion industry. She inspired many women to go on and break the norms of women’s fashion created by males in the fashion industry. She did not let her past keep her from doing so much more in her future, she did what she needed and provided herself a great and successful life. It’s a truly inspirational story, and written well. I found it really interesting about her accidental creation of the “little black dress”.