Coco Chanel

Chanel

One of the most influential women of the 20^th century is Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, also known as the famous Coco Chanel. Almost everyone in the 21^st century has heard about Coco Chanel and her famous fashion line, Chanel. The brand name Chanel is known all over the world today and serves as a luxury good for women. Although Chanel is very popular brand in the market, little have people known about the history of the designer and pioneer Coco Chanel. Coco Chanel changed the fashion industry and style for women. Chanel was a true feminist; many of her trademarks influenced women’s fashion today. Chanel represented modernism and feminism in many ways.

Corset

            Chanel innovations to women’s fashion help rid away the traditional corset silhouettes. Before Chanel, corsets were popular and an everyday undergarment for women. Women were bound to the traditional full-bodied and long hair look. Corsets were used to exaggerate a woman’s curve through extreme tightening of the waist. Corset represented pain; it was not a form of freedom because women were bound to it. Fortunately, Chanel’s designs liberated women from the bondage of corsets. For instance, Chanel’s famous little black dresses allowed women to have the freedom to embrace their bodies as well because it was less frivolous and short so women can be comfortable in their skin in public. Chanel’s jersey fabric outfits were also a major contribution as well. The Jersey fabric was practical and flexible. Women were able to wear a casual look everyday while bike riding, walking, etc. It was comfortable for women to wear. These designs helped made corsets unpopular.

          

Jersey Dress

  “At an historical moment when radical feminists were advocating ‘androgyny…’ Coco Chanel were ‘masculinizing’ women’s fashions, the ‘new look also began to make its presence…(Chadwick, 302)” One of the most important designs Chanel created that contributed to the feminism and modern movement was the Chanel suit. The suit allowed women to feel comfortable to wear and it was a masculine design at the time. It symbolizes equality between men and women because women can also wear suits. The suit also kept its feminine side to it as well. The suit neckline was lowered to free the neck, and there were no shoulder pads. This helped made the suit more feminine compared to men’s suits. Chanel made sure the suit allowed women to do physical activities such as to ride on the buses, step on high platforms, walk, bend down, etc. Although the suit was masculine at the time, it also kept its femininity.

Little Black Dress

            Chanel’s “androgynous” clothing, her short hair, and tanned skin are what created the modern women today. Before Chanel, women kept themselves away from getting tanned. Women had long hair instead of short hair. Pale skin and long hair was a sign of aristocracy. However, Chanel made tan skin and short hair popular. Women were no longer bound to such traditional looks and had the freedom to create their own image. Instead of the usual colored clothing, Chanel made popular black and white designs to ease the challenge for women to match different colors. Black and white designs were easily worn and practical for everyday wear.

         "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," said by Coco Chanel. Chanel was a true artist who had major contributions to women's art and modern feminism through her fashion and style. 

 Coco Chanel's legacy remains today and continue to inspire everyday women and artists at the same time. She not only influenced the lives of women but also men as well. The famous male designer, Karl Lagerfeld, continues Chanel's legacy and her company today.

Chanel Suit

Word Cited

"Coco Chanel." Bio. A&E Television Networks, 2015. Web. 02 Apr. 2015

Chanel, Coco. "Coco Chanel Quote." BrainyQuote. Xplore. Web. 3 Apr. 2015

Chadwick, Whitney. "Modernist Representation: The Female Body." Women, Art, and Society. 4th ed. New York: Thames and Hudson, 1990. Print.