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
Sienna Guerra
I find it hard to believe Coco Chanel was a poor orphan who was destined to make her name one to remember. I find it crazy on how her making and designing of her little black dress was an accident. It is so creative that this “mistake” was a trend and she made her own statements and rules in the fashion industry. She is brave and successful for making her own route of being a successful business woman.
Pedro Gonzalez Aboyte
It is amazing how someone can take the bad things from their lives and change anger and sadness into determination for wanting something. Chanel had that exact same determination and became a woman who her past to break from the rules set forth by the men in the fashion department. It is also truly incredible how that one incident ignited a flame that would burn for a long time. When someone talks about the LBD it all relates back to Coco and what she managed to accomplish.
Rosa Castillo
I have always loved Coco Chanel, I used to read a lot of books when I was younger. I love how the author starts the article about a hard part of her life. Chanel was an iconic woman who utilized her talents and become one the world’s great woman. This article was interesting to read, I thoroughly enjoyed reading about her in this article!
Yadira Chavez
In 2018, a poor orphan by the name of Coco Chanel and her fashion movement 100 years ago makes her a household name that has withstood the test of time. Even now, a simple black dress is a staple to any woman’s closet. The little black dress is great for simplicity and versatility and Coco Chanel started it all. Her life became magnificent after the accident of making the dress, and her brand is still iconic and popular in today’s fashion world. Really well written article.
Donte Joseph
Growing up I have been taught that you are not your mistakes or hardships and that is exactly what Coco Chanel followed. Despite having a rough upbringing, she made something of her life and left a mark on the world. I find it incredibly amazing and creative in the fact that she had an inconvenience that she made into a new trend. She made her own rules in the fashion industry, and because she did, she made her own route of success.
Lyzette Flores
Coco Chanel is actually one of my favorite fashion designers. I admire how she did not let her childhood define her. My favorite fragrance happens to be chance chanel from her collection. Like the article stated, I feel like she is always going to remain a fashion icon in history. Her legacy is always going to be remembered. She has changed the way people look at fashion.
Avery Looney
Coco Chanel came from the bottom all the way to the top on her own. She made a name for herself and did things no one else had done in the fashion industry. I never knew that her little black dress was an accident, but that was hands down the best accident she ever had! Chanel will always be an icon and legend in the fashion world!
Cynthia Rodriguez
I loved reading this article and learning about how the LBD came to be. I do not know too much about fashion, but I know enough to know that the little black dress should be in every woman’s wardrobe. It is a staple piece, and who knew that it all started with a white dress covered in soot? It came by total accident and now it’s iconic. I also liked learning about Coco Chanel. We’ve all heard of her, but I personally was not aware that she was once an orphan and poor. She went from having very little to designing clothes used mostly by the high social class. I enjoyed reading her story. The only thing I would change about this article is the pictures. I would have made the picture of Coco Chanel the main photo at the beginning of the article, and would have put the picture of Audrey Hepburn next to the paragraph where you spoke about her wearing the LBD. Other than that, nice and well-written.
Rebecca Campos
It’s fascinating to read articles like this because there is always this image that the people who make the prominent fashion statements live these perfect lives and know exactly what they’re doing, but more often than not, its not the case. The entire concept of the the LBD happened entirely on accident by someone who had anything but a perfect life. I never knew that Chanel was such an influencer on changing the standards that women we’re held to. The author did a brilliant job conveying the story of an amazing woman and the incredible failure that was the ultimate game changer.
Maisie Favila
I admire the fact that Coco Chanel revolutionized the fashion industry. Today her brand is known for high class and wealth. However, when the brand first started, I am sure that she wasn’t as admired as she is now. The article stated that men previously ruled the fashion industry and women were only wearing what men viewed as fashionable. This added to the uniqueness of Coco Chanel’s success. Today, she is still extremely admired around the world, which is one of her many successes.