Du Jour : The woman who made us brankrupt

I remember watching a movie about the iconic Coco Chanel, when I was younger. Since then, I had always been amazed on what she accomplished. I was recently given an assignment on researching a historical topic, and this is where I rekindled my amazement and respect for her.

EARLY LIFE
Gabrielle Chanel was born into a poor family in Saumur, France, 1883. Her mother died when she was just a young girl and her father gave her up to an orphanage. There she learned how to sew, allowing her to land her first job as a seamstress. At the same time, she earned her famous nickname, "Coco," working as singer. Who would have thought she would grow to be such an icon.

BEGINNING HER CAREER
Coco began as a hat designer and opened her first shop in 1910. Chanel's first clothing items were created as practical & comfortable pieces for the women during World War I. She sold her clothing for insanely high prices (not much has changed), and everyone loved it! She was on top of the fashion World for a while, also creating her iconic, Chanel No. 5.
LOW POINT
But when World War II and the depression rolled around, she gained a new competitor. She closed all her shops and fired her workers. She was accused of being a Nazi sympathizer, and gave herself a self- imposed exile in Switzerland.

COCO AS WE KNOW
She finally returned to the fashion world at the age of 70. Coco never stopped working to better the fashion world, she died in her apartment the day before her launch of the new fall couture.

The brand Chanel continues to maintain its status as a huge empire in fashion and Gabrielle will always be a legendary designer, incorporating male aspects and comfortable styles to her work.

TOP 3 MEMORABLE FASHION CONTRIBUTIONS