4. Chanel (1909)
Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel was born in Saumur, France in 1883. Gabrielle Chanel is the founder of Chanel, one of the oldest and most successful fashion houses. When Gabrielle was 12 her mother died of bronchitis, her father left his 5 children, Gabrielle and her sisters being sent to an orphanage while their two brothers were farm laborers. Gabrielle learned the art of sewing during her six years at orphanage.
At Moulins, where she was singing in music hall, Chanel met the young French ex-cavalry officer and the wealthy textile heir Étienne Balsan. It was at this time that Gabrielle acquired the name “Coco”, possibly based on two popular songs with which she became identified, “Ko Ko Ri Ko”, and “Qui qu’a vu Coco”.
Chanel started off with designing hats and in 1909 opened her first shop. Undoubtedly, the most influential designer of the 20th century was a non-conformist. In 1916 she managed to outrage the fashion industry by wearing a jersey when it was strictly associated with underwear.
Chanel still casts a shadow on fashion today. She was the one who established the woman’s basic modern wardrobe. Gabrielle Chanel gave us the world’s most famous perfume, Chanel No 5 (it is said that it was the only thing Marilyn Monroe wore to bed). Launched in 1921, it was the first designer scent.
