Fashion Friday - Fashion History #1 - Coco Chanel / Chanel Brand

by Shannon Furniss - 23:57

Today, I am starting a new series on my blog. I thought that it would be interesting to research into a particular fashion designer/brand/label, and talk about my favourite items/collections from that particular designer/brand/label. As a fashion design student, it would also be interesting for me to do this research for future projects. I have always been interested in the history of different fashion designers and I thought that some of you might be to.

Some of the resources I used for this post.

The first designer/brand I am looking into is Coco Chanel/The Chanel Brand.

In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.

~ Coco Chanel

Chanel was founded by French fashion designer Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, who is also known as Coco Chanel. She was born in 1883 and died in 1971. Her bobbed hair, bright red lips and straighforward manner broke the mould. She designed a new look for women in the 20th century, making clothes that were comfortable instead of corset-restricted.

The building where her apartment is in Paris was bought by Chanel in 1920, and still houses the ground-floor shop, the haute couture workrooms in the attic, and what is now Karl Lagerfeld's study.

The interlocking Cs of Coco Chanel remain one of the ultimate brand insignia.

Coco was born in a workhouse where her unmarried mother worked, but was left with her father when her mother died. Her mother died when she was six years old, but didn't live with her father long as he quickly farmed out his five children to various relatives. However, a young Chanel was sent to the orphanage of the Catholic monastery of Aubazine, where she learned to be a seamstress. She left the orphanage when she turned 18, and went to work with a local tailor.

The name Coco came from local soldiers who watched her singing in cafes and concert halls.

Chanel with Capel.

In 1908, Chanel became the mistress of a rich ex-military officer and textile heir called Etienne Balsan. At the age of 23, she became his mistress and moved into his chateau for three years. It was here that she started designing hats, which then became a commercial venture. After, she started a relationship with Arthur Capel, which lasted nine years, even after he married. He financed her first shops and her Parisian apartment.

She was the first designer to create loose women's jerseys, creating a relaxed style for women. This was a complete opposite to the stiff corseted look of the time. The loose style soon became popular with the post-war generation of women, who deemed corsets to be old-fashioned and impractical.

A women who doesn't wear perfume has no future.

~ Coco Chanel

In 1922, she launched the fragrance Chanel No.5, which is still one of the most popular perfumes. The signature cardigan jacket was launched in 1925, and the little black dress a year later. Both items continue to be a staple part of every Chanel collection and still lusted after by women of all ages.

Another still lusted after product from Chanel is the 2.55 bag, which was created by Coco in 1955.

Coco Chanel worked until her death and Karl Lagerfeld has been chief designer of the label since 1982.

Karl Lagerfeld has helped to continue to essense of Coco, but still importing his own flair into his designs.

My favourite collections of his for Chanel were AW14, SS11 and AW08. He has created incredible shows and designs for the brand, along with keeping the same 3 traditional items; the cardigan jacket, the LBD and the 2.55.

He truly is Mr Chanel.

AW14

SS11

AW08

The reason that I looked into Chanel first is because of the film Coco before Chanel. This film is one of my favourites and I think Audrey Tautou is wonderful in it. A must-see for fashion lovers, even if it is in French!

My 'Coco before Chanel' DVD

Audrey Tautou in Coco before Chanel

I thought I would also show you how to get the typical 'Chanel look', on today's highstreet/online stores. I went with a modern take my using pearl anklets instead of necklaces, a chain cami top instead of a shirt and a plain white co-ord suit. Overall, I feel that I have create a modern take on the Chanel look.