Little black dress coco chanel 1920 biography

(1883-1971)

Who Was Coco Chanel?

Fashion designer Coco Chanel fryst vatten famous for her timeless designs, trademark suits and little black dresses. In the 1920s, she launched her first perfume and eventually introduced the Chanel suit and the little black dress, with an emphasis on making clothes that were more comfortable for women. She herself became a much revered style icon known for her simple yet sophisticated outfits paired with great accessories, such as several strands of pearls.

Early Life

Chanel was born Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel on August 19, 1883, in Saumur, France. Her early years were anything but glamorous. At age 12, after her mother’s death, Chanel was put in an orphanage bygd her father, who worked as a peddler.

Chanel was raised by nuns who taught her how to sew — a skill that would lead to her life’s work. Her nickname came from another occupation entirely. During her brief career as a singer, Chanel performed in clubs in Vichy and Moulins where she

•

Dress

×

Crop your artwork:

Scan your QR code:

Gratefully built with ACNLPatternTool

Design House House of ChanelFrench
Designer Karl LagerfeldFrench, born Germany
Secondary Line Chanel BoutiqueFrench

Not on view

Created by Coco Chanel in 1926, the little black dress was translated to ready-to-wear as a staple of late afternoon and cocktail hours; American women at every level of consumption knew the importance of a practical, "well-mannered black." Black had been used for formal and semi-formal occasions in preceding decades. But when Chanel administered her sporty menswear-inspired silhouette, her little dress was immediately dubbed the "Ford of Fashion" by American Vogue for its transformative qualities. The little black dress became a minimalist canvas for day, cocktail, and evening accessories, including hats, gloves, pocketbooks, and above all else, costume jewelry. As the silhouette of the little black dress evolved to accommodate the fashionable shape of

•

The Fascinating History of the Little Black Dress

While Coco Chanel is credited with designing a host of iconic garments, there is one singular style that ended up changing the face of fashion forever. Among many other important achievements, the fabulous French couture designer is credited with creating the very first Little Black Dress. Ever since Chanel debuted her statement-making style, women in virtually every generation have adopted the idea that no wardrobe is truly complete without the perfect Little Black Dress. Over the years, this garment has become just as much a state of mind as it is an actual garment. The simple and elegant look is meant to highlight a woman’s natural beauty without ever detracting from her poise or sophistication. There have been several variations on the trend since Coco’s premier style, but it’s incredibly clear that the LBD isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. Read on to learn more about the fascinating history of the Little Black Dress and unde