The fabulous Gabrielle Bonheur, better known as CoCo Chanel was a French high fashion designer and founder of the Chanel brand.

Chanel's Youth

Born August 19, 1883, in a charity hospital ran by the Sisters of Providence-a poor house in Samur, Maine-et-Loire, France. Her mother Eugenie Jeanne Devolle, better known as Jeanne, was a laundry woman. Chanel was Jeanne's second child with Albert Chanel out of wedlock. Chanel had a rocky start upon entering the world. Her father Albert, was known to be a nomadic street vendor who peddled work clothes and undergarments. During her birth, Chanel's name was entered into the official registry as "Chasnel." With her father working as a nomadic street vendor and her mother not well enough to attend the registry, baby Gabrielle's name was misspelled. Her parents eventually had five children. Two boys, a girl, and her and her oldest sister Julia. Albert had married Jeanne by now, and it has been stated that her family persuaded him to do so, maybe even for a profit. The family of seven resided in a rundown, one-room lodging, in the town of Brive-la-Gaillarde.

At the age of 12, the destined Gabrielle Chanel lost her mom to tuberculosis. Her father sent her brothers to work as farm laborers and sent Chanel and her sisters to an orphanage. The Correze, the convent of Aubazine located in central France. Its religious order, the Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Mary, was founded to care for the poor, rejected, runaway, abandoned, and/or orphaned girls. Despite the turmoil in Chanel's childhood, being in that orphanage is what ignited the fire that would lead the way to her legendary success. It is where Chanel learned how to sew. At the age of 18, Chanel went to live in a boarding house for catholic girls in Moulins. She was too old to reside at Aubazine.

Chanel's Early Ambitions

After learning the art of sewing, Chanel was able to find work as a seamstress. However, Chanel had other aspirations. She wanted to be a singer and stage performer. Chanel made her debut at a popular entertainment venue in a Moulins pavilion called, "La Rotonde." It's also where she obtained the name "CoCo." Soon after, Chanel began working in the spa resort town of Vichy, in 1906. It is where she planned to achieve her goals as a performer. Vichy consisted of concert hall, theatres, and cafes. Chanel's appearance and charm was good, but her voice was known to be marginal. Chanel had failed at not being able to find stage work. After awhile, she returned to the "La Rotonde" in Moulins, but the classy CoCo Chanel soon realized that  being a stage performer was not in her future.

Chanel's Love Life and Early Career

At the age of 23, Chanel met a rich young French ex-cavalry officer named, heir Etienne Balsan. Chanel became Balsan's mistress, while Courtesan Emilienne d'Alencon was known to be his favorite. For 3 years Balsan gave Chanel an open door to a lifestyle of luxury with diamonds, pearls, and dresses. Balsan's wealth also allowed him the privilege of a rich social set who partied with money and with pleasures. In 1908, Chanel had an affair with Balsan's friend, Captain Arthur Edward "BOY" Capel." BOY" Capel was a wealthy member of the English upper class. Capel put Chanel in an apartment in Paris. In 1910, she had become a licensed milliner. Chanel had begun designing hats while still living with Balsan. Those hats would soon evolve into a commercial enterprise. Chanel opened her boutique at 21 rue Cambon, Paris and named it "Chanel Modes." She sold her millinery creations at this well established address. Her career took off after theatre actress, Gabrielle Dorziat wore her hats in Fernand Noziere's play Bel Ami, in 1912.

Chanel opened a boutique in Deauville financed by Capel, in 1913. In the center of a fashionable street Chanel sold hats, jackets, sweaters, and the mariniere, the sailor blouse. Chanel's sister and aunt were recruited to model daily through the town advertising her creations. Chanel opened another establishment in Biarritz, in 1915. It was in proximity to wealthy Spanish clients, which also allowed it to become the place for the rich, and those exiled from their native countries by hostilities, due to a neutral status during World War I. The Biarritz Shop was in a villa, it wasn't installed as the ordinary storefront, and it was opposite of the casino. The business did so well that a year later, she was able to repay Capel his original investment. It was a must for Chanel. It has been mentioned that Capel's sartorial style influenced the conception of the Chanel style. Chanel and Capel were known to spend time together at fashionable resorts like Deauville. Chanel also had high hopes that one day her and Capel would be together, but he was unfaithful.

In 1918, Capel ended up marrying, lady Dianna Wyndham, an English aristocrat, but he did not stop his relationship with Chanel completely. On December 21, 1919, Capel died in a car accident. According to Chanel, it was a terrible blow.

Chanel's Accomplishments

By 1919, Chanel's accomplishments were grand. She purchased the entire building at 31 rue Cambon. It was known to be one of the most fashionable districts in Paris. Chanel opened what may have been considered an early incarnation of a fashion boutique. It featured hats, clothing, and accessories, which soon expanded to jewelry and fragrance. By 1927, Chanel was the owner of 5 properties on the rue Cambon, buildings numbered 23 to 31. Between the years of 1923-1927, she collaborated on a production choreographed by Diaghilev and dancer Vaslav Nijinsky. Chanel threw her time and energy into designing dance costumes for the Ballet Russes. Chanel had been introduced to Russian composer, Igor Stravinsky, the impresario of the Ballet Russes by Diaghilev.

Chanel offered Stravinsky and his family a place to stay after leaving the Soviet Union, soon after the war. In 1932, Chanel was interviewed by Colliers magazine. She stated that she agreed to do Hollywood and she designed clothing worn by Gloria Swanson, Ina Claire, Greta Garbo, and Marlene Dietrich. Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich also became Chanel's private clients. However, Chanel's experience with American movie making wasn't the best. The successful high fashion designer had a dislike for Hollywood films. Chanel was told that her dresses weren't sensational enough. She made a lady look like a lady, as Hollywood wants a lady to look like two ladies. Chanel went on and continued to design costumes for several other French films.

Chanel and World War II

In 1939, at the beginning of WWII, Chanel closed her shops. She said it was not a time for fashion. 4,000 lady employees lost their job as a result. Chanel was known to have a dislike for jews. In 2011, author Hal Vaughan published a book on Chanel, revealing that she collaborated with the Germans in intelligence activities based on newly declassified documents of that era. One plan in late 1943, was for Chanel to carry an SS separate peace overture to British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill to end the war. It has also been stated according to documents that Chanel was a nazi agent due to a love relationship she supposedly had with a German. The House of Chanel issued a statement due to a lot of controversy. They stated that her love relationship with a German wasn't the best decision, but in all honesty, it doesn't take away her accomplishments as a haute couture designer legend.

Chanel's Later years and Legacy

Later in life, Chanel had become tyrannical and lonely, according to Edmonde Charles-Roux. Chanel died on January 10, 1971 at the Hotel Ritz, where she had lived for 30 years. Chanel had a very interesting life. She was a mistress to some of the most influential men, but she never married. It has been mentioned that Chanel retold stories of her childhood differently. She was known to include glamorous accounts of her life that weren't true, maybe in hopes to make herself feel good enough.

Fortunately for Chanel, she was good enough. Her unfortunate background to what she had become, is somewhat inspiring. Who would've known a poor little orphan girl would become a successful haute couture designer legend.  The Chanel bag, the Little Black Dress, and Chanel No.5 are all apart of the Chanel legacy. Chanel didn't completely create Chanel No.5, but her name and brand made it a success and she made a healthy profit.  

High Fashion Passion acknowledges this great and legendary high fashion designer. CoCo Chanel gave birth to the classy and fabulous high fashion brand we all call Chanel.

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