Gabrielle Bonheur "Coco" Chanel, born August 19, 1883 in Saumur, France. After her mother's death, Chanel was put in an orphanage, by her father and raised by nuns who taught her how to sew.
The simplistic and stark dress fo the nuns and their environment would later influence her designs.

During a brief career as a singer, Chanel performed in clubs in Vichy and Moulins where she earned her nickname "Coco".

Around the age of 20, Chanel began dating Etienne Balsan, who offered to help her start a millinery business in Paris. Soon after she began a romance with Arthur, Capel a very wealthy friend. Both men where great supporters of her first fashion venture.

Chanel opened her first shop on Paris's Rue Cambon in 1910, selling hats and later opening shops in Deauville and Biarritz where she began making clothes. Jersey was her fabric of choice, due to its comfort and price.
Her designs had a men's wear feel, but were well draped to show the shape of the female figure.

In the 1920's she launched Chanel No.5 and took her business to a new level.
1925 she introduced the now legendary Chanel suit with a collarless jacket and well-fitted skirt.
In 1931 Samuel Goldwin hired Chanel to dress his stars, including Kathrine Hepburn and Grace Kelly.

After the fall of Paris in 1939 Chanel closed her boutiques and spent the next fifteen years of her life exiled in Switzerland, due to her love affair with a Nazi Officer.

In 1954, she made her come back, mainly due to Dior and his new corseted look. She set out once again to free women and gave new inspiration to style. Chanel is still the most innovative fashion designer to date. With a black pullover and rows of peals, she revolutionized fashion.

After her death in 1971 Karl Lagerfeld became the head designer and the Chanel brand is as strong as ever.

Chanel S.A. is a Parisian fashion house founded by Coco Chanel. The label specializes in haute couture, ready-to-wear, handbags, perfumery and cosmetics. This image is the most famous of all design houses.
Following the death of Coco in 1971 Karl Lagerfeld took over and like Chanel his designs incorporate her signature details, tweed fabrics, colors and gold chains. Since, coming to Chanel, Lagerfeld has added men's T-shirts and briefs into his designs. Lagerfeld's mining of Chanel's archives is a true statement to the importance of her contribution to the twentieth century.
Whether its 1930 or present day the "Chanel Suit" with its boxy lines is still the backbone of the brand. The typical suit has braided trim, slim skirt lined with a gold link chain. Today the cost of a Chanel suit is $5,000.
Coco was a firm believer that if the cost of her products were high, then her obsessively perfect designs would truly be valued.
2000 saw the launch of the first unisex watch by Chanel, the J12.
2002 saw the launch of Chance fragrance, And to please the younger buyers, Chanel introduced Coco Mademoiselle in 2003. It's 2010, and the Chanel brand shows no signs of slowing

After her death leadership of the company was handed down to Yvonne Dudel, Jean Cazaubon and Philippe Guibourge.

In 1974 Alain Wertheimer took over, revamped Chanel No. 5 and brought Karl Lagerfeld on as head of design.