"Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening". -Coco Chanel
Earlier, I wrote a post about the greatest style icons of all time, Audrey Hepburn.
Another amazing woman in this list is the French fashion designer, ultimate style diva and founder of Chanel brand, yes, she is none other than Gabrielle Bonheur Coco Chanel.
This lady has given fashion a new definition and elegance.
She has given the fashion world reasons to remember her forever.
Her presence in the fashion world was initially felt when she designed the jersey fabric.
It became hugely popular because of the material which was easily available at the time of war and resonated well with the kind of everyday wear.
She made the next mark with the signature Chanel suit, which was also loved for its eternal design and comfort.
Little black dress which is hugely popular till now is also known to be a Chanel creation.
Chanel's signature perfume, Chanel no. 5 manages to give the brand high sales till date.
The amazing thing about her designs and fashion statements was that they never faded or lost their charm with time.
In the world of fashion where every new day brings something unique, this seems to be quite an ironical happening but such was this lady's peppy personality and her charm.
The powerful lady was not only responsible for making the fashion industry reach newer heights but also liberating woman post world war era.
Chanel's silhouette oozed class and her aura repeatedly shows how much of a peppy personality was she.
About her work, the fashion magazine Harper's Bazaar said in 1915, "The woman who hasn't at least one Chanel is hopelessly out of fashion.... This season the name of Chanel is on the lips of every buyer."
Chanel was known for her lifelong determination, ambition, and energy which she applied to her professional and social life. She achieved both success as a business woman and social prominence, thanks to the connections she made through her work.
In 1970 her net worth was $19 billion (equivelant to $118 billion in 2015). Chanel is one of the richest women to ever live.
In addition to her work with high fashion, Chanel also designed stage costumes for such plays as Cocteau's Antigone (1923) and Oedipus Rex (1937) and film costumes for several movies, including Renoir's La Regle de Jeu. Katharine Hepburn starred in the 1969 Broadway musical Coco based on the life of Coco Chanel.
Apart from being remembered as the greatest fashion icon of all times, Coco is also known for her wonderful thoughts on fashion,woman and such topics.
Sharing in some of my favourites here:
"One must not let oneself be forgotten, one must stay on the toboggan. The toboggan is what people who are talked about ride on. One must get a front seat and not let oneself be put out of it".
"I don't do fashion, I am fashion".
"Where should one use perfume?" a young woman asked. "Wherever one wants to be kissed," I said.
"The best things in life are free. The second best are very expensive".
"A girl should be two things: Classy and fabulous".
