Coco Chanel Gabrielle Bonheur “Coco” Chanel was a pioneering in French fashion design. She was the only French fashion designer to be named Time 100: Most Important People of the Century. In 1957 she also received the Neiman-Marcus Award. She is widely known for being the creator of “the little black dress.” She was, and still is, a very important person in 20th century fashion.
Chanel was born on August 19, 1883 in Saumur, France. She had five siblings: her sisters Julie and Antoinette, and three brothers, Alphonse, Lucien, and Pierre. When she was twelve, her mother died of tuberculosis. Then, her father left their family. Chanel was then spent six years in an orphanage where she learned the traded of seamstress. When she turned eighteen she left the orphanage and became a cabaret singer in Moulin. While performing as a cabaret singer she got the nickname “Coco.” Coco herself said that it was a shortened version of cocotte, a French word for “kept women.
It was during her career as a singer that she met a rich textile heir Étienne Balsan. She then started a day job in a tailoring shop. While living with Balsan, Chanel started to design hats as a hobby. After making hats for awhile she left Balsan, and took over his apartment in Paris, France. Coco opened her first shop in 1913 which sold raincoats and jackets.
During the pre-war era Chanel reunited with her former best friend Étienne Balsan. With her new assistant Chanel had enough money to open a new shop in Brittany. French actresses wore her hats which helped her establish a career.
In 1939, at the beginning of World War II, Chanel closed her shops. She said that she believed it was not a time for fashion. Chanel lived in Hotel Ritz Paris on again off again for over 30 years. During the war, Chanel greatly interacted with the Nazis.
In 1945, Chanel moved to Switzerland. She eventually moved back to Paris in 1954. In 1954, Chanel returned to fashion. Her new collection did not have much success in Paris because of her earlier interactions with the Nazis. Though, the British and Americans loved her collection and became faithful customers.
Chanel has had many movies produced about her, including Chanel Solitaire, Coco Chanel, Coco avant Chanel (Coco before Chanel), and Chanel & Igor Stravinsky. The Coco Chanel based movie release dates range from 1981 to 2009. Two more films are said to be in the works as well. Coco has also had a Broadway musical released about her called Coco. After 40 previews it was released December 18, 1969. Katharine Hepburn played Chanel in the musical. The musical ran for 329 performances, Hepburn was nominated for a Tony.
Chanel died on January 10, 1971. However, she was important to a huge industry in France and will always be remembered as the first great French fashion designer.
Coco Chanel
Gabrielle Bonheur “Coco” Chanel was a pioneering in French fashion design. She was the only French fashion designer to be named Time 100: Most Important People of the Century. In 1957 she also received the Neiman-Marcus Award. She is widely known for being the creator of “the little black dress.” She was, and still is, a very important person in 20th century fashion.
Chanel was born on August 19, 1883 in Saumur, France. She had five siblings: her sisters Julie and Antoinette, and three brothers, Alphonse, Lucien, and Pierre. When she was twelve, her mother died of tuberculosis. Then, her father left their family. Chanel was then spent six years in an orphanage where she learned the traded of seamstress. When she turned eighteen she left the orphanage and became a cabaret singer in Moulin. While performing as a cabaret singer she got the nickname “Coco.” Coco herself said that it was a shortened version of cocotte, a French word for “kept women.
It was during her career as a singer that she met a rich textile heir Étienne Balsan. She then started a day job in a tailoring shop. While living with Balsan, Chanel started to design hats as a hobby. After making hats for awhile she left Balsan, and took over his apartment in Paris, France. Coco opened her first shop in 1913 which sold raincoats and jackets.
During the pre-war era Chanel reunited with her former best friend Étienne Balsan. With her new assistant Chanel had enough money to open a new shop in Brittany. French actresses wore her hats which helped her establish a career.
In 1939, at the beginning of World War II, Chanel closed her shops. She said that she believed it was not a time for fashion. Chanel lived in Hotel Ritz Paris on again off again for over 30 years. During the war, Chanel greatly interacted with the Nazis.
In 1945, Chanel moved to Switzerland. She eventually moved back to Paris in 1954. In 1954, Chanel returned to fashion. Her new collection did not have much success in Paris because of her earlier interactions with the Nazis. Though, the British and Americans loved her collection and became faithful customers.
Chanel has had many movies produced about her, including Chanel Solitaire, Coco Chanel, Coco avant Chanel (Coco before Chanel), and Chanel & Igor Stravinsky. The Coco Chanel based movie release dates range from 1981 to 2009. Two more films are said to be in the works as well. Coco has also had a Broadway musical released about her called Coco. After 40 previews it was released December 18, 1969. Katharine Hepburn played Chanel in the musical. The musical ran for 329 performances, Hepburn was nominated for a Tony.
Chanel died on January 10, 1971. However, she was important to a huge industry in France and will always be remembered as the first great French fashion designer.
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Basic-Crepes/Detail.aspx
http://www.ochef.com/r203.htm