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
Daniela Cardona
The LBD is a staple piece in every woman’s wardrobe. It’s so easy and always look good. I never knew the history of it, or when it became popular but I absolutely love that it was on a complete accident and Coco ran with it anyway. Coco Chanel had an incredible mind and has always been someone that inspires me. She did as she pleased and didn’t let any boundaries stop her. Revolutionizing fashion, normalizing dark colors and creating iconic perfumes have given Coco Chanel a name that will last in the fashion industry forever.
Alexandra Lujan
Chanel was a woman that came from nothing and she created a huge fashion empire which is truly inspiring, it’s amazing how the “Little Black Dress” was just created on accident, Chanel created new fashion for women and it is still around today. I also never knew that Audrey Hepburn was one of the famous girl that brought more attention to Chanel’s LBD.
Megan Copeland
I have always heard of the saying “Little Black Dress”, but I never knew that it was created on accident! Chanel came from nothing, but made sure she worked extremely hard to give women a different concept of fashion. Who knew an explosion of a gas burner would start the famous trademark LBD, which every girl had to own.
Jonathan Arreola
As the saying goes, some of the most important creations happen on accident. I could not believe the story about how the iconic little black dress came to be. The explosion of a gas burner! It is unbelievable, the revolutionary new fashion that Coco Chanel created was derived from a dirty white dress. Chanel is Influential, Coming from nothing and becoming one of the most important figures in her time, the Roaring 20’s, and impacting the world until present day. The proof is in the pudding, every woman owns a little black dress or something inspired from that new fashion.
Clarissa Gonzalez
From rags to riches, Coco Chanel is the spokesperson for this. The beginning paragraph that introduces her life prior to her world wide fame, is a great stepping stone for the reader before going in deeper in her life. Also learning that Aubrey Hepburn’s iconic little black dress picture, is actually Coco Chanel is sadly part of my life. I couldn’t believe I never knew that. Really well written in such a small package.
Andrea Cabrera
Fashion has always been part of my very personal interests and passions. To risk and go against the standards of your time can be challenging at first, however when you try it so see how influenceable you can become. I loved to learn the fact of how the “Little Black Dress” was created and it should be taking as an example of women around the world to dress how they feel empowered, sophisticated and fulfill without following other’s rules.
Valeria Perez
What an amazing woman! Coco Channel was an astonishing innovator, dreamer, and entrepreneur. She not only changed fashion history, but she also created a fashion empire that still stands strong and tall today!
I really admire her determination of breaking into women’s fashion and the irony of it being dominated by men. I always find it interesting that some of the best inventions we have today came to be because of an accident or an unusual event. Such is the case of the LBD.
Noah Bolhuis
As a person who has absolutely no interest in fashion, I’m glad to see people with new, innovative ways to sculpt the culture. This dress obviously wasn’t the only thing that led to the feminist marches back then, or how women were able to do the new things they weren’t able to before this wave came in. It is really important to have these people prevalent in our society, and for the better!
Gabriela Ochoa
Like most people I knew of the brand but never knew how it came to be. I thought that it was interesting that she helped contribute to the flappers during the 20’s and the origin of the LBD. Before reading I didn’t know abut her background ans that she came from a different lifestyle then she came to have. It was interesting to see how much the LBD has changed over time and how the dress came to be over her trying to warm up some water.
Richard Morales
I knew of the brand Coco Chanel but I never knew her story. It’s nice to know that she came from rags to riches and overcame her disadvantages in life. I was amazed to find out that the staple of every woman’s closet, the little black dress, was established through coincidence. I wonder the little black dress trend would still have caught on if it weren’t for the explosion of flames occurring in 1926.