FASHION INDUSTRY
MARCH 2, 2023
Fabolous Tale Of Coco Chanel
Coco Chanel is one of the most influential person in the history of fashion industry that reshape the way we dress today.
OVERVIEW
Chanel S. A. is a private multinational company owned by Alain Wertheimer and Gerard Wertheimer, grandson of Pierre Wertheimer, who was the original business partner of couturiere Coco Chanel. This high fashion house specializes in haute couture and ready-to-wear, luxury goods and fashion accessories.
The company was founded in 1909, based in Paris, France. Opening her first shop on Paris’s Rue Cambon in 1910, Chanel started selling hats. Continuing to grow by adding two stores in Deaville and Biarritz, Chanel started her fashion business.
HISTORY
Coco Chanel was born with the name Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel on August 19, 1883 in Saumur France. She was born into poverty to two unmarried parents.
Behind her glamour, there is the figure of a child who grew up in an orphanage and grew up to become one of the world’s most influential figures according to Time magazine.
After her mother passed away, her father gave her up to an orphanage. She was raised by nuns who taught her to sew, a skill that would later lead to her becoming a fashion icon.
Not only has sewing skills, Chanel also has singing talent. She had used his expertise in singing to make money. Trying her luck as a cafe singer, she got the nickname “Coco”.
Some have assumed the call was taken because of the song she sang, ‘Qui qu’a vu Coco? ‘. However, Gabrielle stated that it was an abbreviation of the French ‘cocotte’. Cocotte is a French word which means mistress.
BUSINESS EXPANSION
Her giant business took off when she released Chanel No. 5 perfume. With the help of Ernst Beauz, a renowned perfumer in France, Chanel chose sample number five, a blend of jasmine and several floral notes.
For Coco, the number 5 is her lucky number after being told by a fortune teller. At the launch of the perfume, as well as introducing the Chanel logo, which is the letter C intertwined by Coco’s own design.
This logo consists of two interlocking “C” letters that reflect one another. The simple, powerful letterforms evoke grace and dignity based on Coco’s philosophy of “Less is more.” The logo is black – a distinctive color with significance for the brand.
PERFUME PRODUCTS
The Chanel No. 5 perfume is one of the most famous perfumes in the world and was launched in May 1921. Named Chanel No. 5 because initially there were some perfume samples mixed up to get Coco’s approval.
Originally a bottle of No. 5 de Chanel is a gift for Chanel clients. The perfume’s popularity prompted the House of Chanel to offer it for retail sale in afterward.
Another perfume product, Chanel Coco Mademoiselle, is known for its sexy and fresh character. Thanks to a mixture of rose and jasmine combined with orange and patchouli which gives a light floral scent, yet warm. A chic and sophisticated scent that can be worn from day to night, whether for brunch or dinner.
POST WAR ERA
Chanel once closed her fashion house in 1939 because of the outbreak of World War II. She was forced to lay off many of her workers and closed fashion shops. Chanel left France after the war and lived in Switzerland for several years. In 1954, Coco Chanel tried to get back into the fashion world that made her name.
At the age of 70, Chanel returned to the world of fashion. Sourced from Time, Chanel’s “sin” during World War II, namely relating to German diplomats, made her appearance drew criticism.
She first received scathing reviews from critics, but her feminine and easy-to-wear designs won the hearts of fashionistas around the world.
PRIVATE LIFE
Coco Chanel died on January 10, 1971 in her apartment at the Ritz Hotel. She never married.
During her life, Coco had many relationships with men. Several men who were close to Coco included artist Pablo Picasso, Duke of Westminster, grandson of the leader of the Russian Empire (Russia Tsar), to composer Igor Stravinsky.
For 34 years, Coco lived at the Ritz Hotel, Place Vendome, Paris. In fact, she died in the suite room at the age of 71 years. Then, after the legacy of the fashion designer, the hotel gave the room the name Coco Chanel suite.
MODERN DAY
In 2010 the company employed 1.270 people and has 310 locations worldwide. They gained revenue around 1.809 billion EU with estimated nett sale around 280.3 million EU.
The famous fashion designer is also famous for the quote “A girl should be two things: Classy and fabulous.”
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