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
Devin Ramos
I never knew a lot about the brand Chanel but this article did a good job giving details about how it was founded. I also like that Chanel was created by a woman instead of a man paving the way for women to knock down stereotypes in a era where women where supposed to only be stay at home wives which they would only cook and watch the kids. Another thing I found interesting was that she grew up poor.
Montserrat Moreno Ramirez
This article was really interesting because it tells us some of the great life of Coco Chanel and about her one of a kind style, also it was great to discover how she was all about created trends without even realizing it, and didn’t care about other people’s opinion, just like when she wore pants for a high social event. She is described with a unique personality that in spite of her difficult childhood and past she was able to overcome it and achieve something great.
Janelle Larios
I never knew much about Coco Chanel other than the fact that it was a really expensive brand. I didn’t know Chanel’s backstory either, its really surprising that her inspiration to the little black dress was because her gas burner exploded. It really incredible seeing how an accident like that could change and revolutionize the fashion industry and how she herself could change the way women are represented in not just fashion, but life in general. I really am astonished and proud of her, her work and her ambition to try new things that weren’t even thought of in her time. It truly is inspiring.
Hailey Rodriguez
Before reading this article, I never truly new Chanels story. I was surprised to hear that she had a poverty filled upbringing. I also didn’t know the origin of the LBD. I can’t believe she discovered her signature look by accident. I love Breakfast at Tiffany’s and the way Holly Golightly dresses. I think it is so elegant and original. Coco Chanel is a true legend and has set the bar high for women’s fashion.
Antoinette Johnson
This article, “Coco Chanel’s “Little Black Dress” is inspiring. Coco went from poor orphan to a big name in the women’s fashion industry. She strived to make a name for herself and she succeeded. Coco Chanel is known around the world by many people. She made an accident, a success and revolutionized women’s fashion and continues even today. Coco shows endeavor of overcoming past obstacles to prosper in the future.
Crystal Baeza
It’s inspiring and motivating to see something as simple as the LBD change the way women dress in today’s world. Before reading this article I didn’t know about Chanel’s background. It shows no matter our situations we can always overcome and make a better life for ourselves. She changed the fashion and the idea of how women to dress to a style more fashionable and comfortable for everyday use. I can’t believe how the LBD has changed from time to time to a dress we can use to formal events to everyday use. I love seeing women overpower and break the rules a little to reach their goals, not only for them but the future as well.
Indhira Mata
Fashion and clothes are always the first impression someone makes on a new person. It is also the beginning of expressing your personality and oneself. Little did I know before this article that the a simple little black dress was the turning point in the fashion industry. And it is amazing learning that it changed with the generations since each generation had something to add to it. It goes to show that fashion is growing with us.
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.
Madeline Torres
I have never really known the history behind Chanel and her brand and this article definitely sums up the brands history. It is very amazing how a simple black dress can change the ways of a women’s life. Because of Chanel’s creativity and ability to create new looks, history was changed! This article is a very well written one and I love the way it describes Chanel’s growth from being an orphan to creating a dress that changed many women’s wardrobe.
Maggie Amador
The way that this iconic “Little Black Dress” came to be is something I would’ve never imagined, and I wonder if Gabrielle Chanel ended up going to her formal event in her newly sooted dress. This idea of comfortable clothing and normalizing pants on women revolutionized the fashion industry to this day. I think it is interesting how flappers took inspiration from Gabrielle Chanel even though I feel as though Chanel’s style was a bit more formal.