• Born August 19, 1883• Was abandoned by her father and sent

to her aunts, where she learned proper manners and etiquette.

• Loved to sew since childhood. • Sent to an orphanage owned by nuns

at age 17.• They helped her get her first job as a

shopkeeper.

• Became a cabaret singer, found her nickname by one of the songs she sang “Qui qu’a vu Coco.”

• Met Etienne Balsan a rich playboy. He helped her open fer first hat shop. Later dumped him.

• Had a relationship with Arthur “Boy” Chapel, who helped her open her famous dress shop on 31 Rue Combon during the great depression.

• 1921 developed her famous fragrance Chanel No.5

• By 1930’s reputation had grown enormously

• She was hired by Samuel Goldwin to dress Katherine Hepburn, Grace Kelly, and Elizabeth Taylor for one million dollars.

• Unfortunately Many Hollywood stars would not work with her

• Closed down her shop after WWII• Arrested in September 1944, for an

affair with a Nazi officer. • Released a few hours later.• Exiled to Switzerland for 15 years.

• Dior came out with a new look; the corset.

• Angered by it Chanel made a comeback in 1953.

• 70 years old at the time.• Many in Hollywood came to accept

her.• She made a new market in America.

• January 10,1971, Gabrielle Chanel passed away.

• Karl Lagergeld helmed the Chanel label after her death.

• She remains one of the most revered women in the fashion industry.