Coco Chanel: legendary trendsetter

The name Coco Chanel is known today even to people whose interests are not related to the fashion world. This "style icon" has turned women's ideas about what it means to look elegant. "Luxury must be comfortable!" is her motto.

Coco Chanel: biography

Coco Chanel (1883-1971) became one of the most famous fashion trendsetters of the 20th century. She was born on August 19 in the city of Saumur (France) in an extremely poor family.

The mother could not even feed the girl, so she ended up in an orphanage. When she turned 12, her mother died, and her father gave Gabrielle to a Catholic monastery. After that, the future trendsetter lived in a boarding school. In all these establishments, it was required to wear the same uninteresting uniform, and the young Chanel had a dream to create clothes herself.

Coco tried herself as a cabaret singer, where she did not achieve much success, but she met several influential men. One of them bought her a store, where she began selling elegant hats made according to her designs. So she entered the world of fashion. In the 50s, the name Coco Chanel was already well known to fashionistas in Paris.

men coco chanel

In the life of Coco Chanel, they played a huge role. When Sergei Diaghilev introduced her to artistic bohemia and Russian emigration, she met Jean Cocteau, Igor Stravinsky, Pablo Picasso, Prince Dmitry Romanov. With the latter, Coco began a stormy romance, thanks to which the legendary Coco Chanel fragrance appeared.

Among her other admirers: the poet Pierre Reverdy, one of the richest people in England – the Duke of Westminster, Paul Iribarnegare. Her last love is the German diplomat Baron Hans Günther von Dinklage, who was 13 years younger than the 65-year-old Koko. She never married, but meeting all these men was of great importance for the work of Coco Chanel.

Fashion Coco Chanel

The fashion house of Coco Chanel has remained unaffected by time for many decades. Coco Chanel's fashion is based on timeless classics, but in an updated, more sophisticated and elegant version. These are women's blouses, pleated skirts, stylish coats, tweed suits, the famous black dress.

Coco proclaimed the freedom of women from uncomfortable puffy skirts, tight corsets, fancy hats, ruffles and frills. The basis of the Chanel fashion house is strict, clear lines and simple shapes. Such clothes are designed to emphasize the dignity of the figure and hide its flaws. Coco Chanel collections are relevant in our time, as they are simple, practical and comfortable, but at the same time they look stylish and elegant.

What if the purpose of the relationship is something unconditional for which both the man and the woman could take responsibility? What if this is… the practice of love? Love is what is within us; something for which we are responsible in both good and bad times. Love allows us to focus on our own efforts and responsibilities, as well as to notice the advantages of our partner. Too many people focus on taking something from the relationship. But, for a harmonious relationship, you need to give, take responsibility for your happiness, and then “invest" it in others.