Coco ChanelCoco Chanel

Coco Chanel’s real name was Gabrielle Coco Chanel’s real name was Gabrielle ChanelChanel

She claimed a birth date of 1893 and a She claimed a birth date of 1893 and a birthplace of Auvergne, France.birthplace of Auvergne, France.

She was actually born in 1883 in Saumur, She was actually born in 1883 in Saumur, France - her mother worked in the poorhouse France - her mother worked in the poorhouse and died when Gabrielle was only six, and died when Gabrielle was only six, leaving her father with five children whom he leaving her father with five children whom he promptly abandoned to the care of relatives. promptly abandoned to the care of relatives.

She adopted the name Coco during a brief She adopted the name Coco during a brief career as a cafe and concert singer.career as a cafe and concert singer.

After two affairs with wealthy business men, After two affairs with wealthy business men, she used these contacts to set up her own she used these contacts to set up her own hat shop in Paris in 1910.hat shop in Paris in 1910.

The two men also helped her find customers The two men also helped her find customers among women of society, and her simple among women of society, and her simple hats became popular.hats became popular.

Products

Bags Evening wear

Perfume Jewellery

Make up Watches

Clothing Shoes

ManagementManagement

•CEO: Maureen Chiquet

•Supplies over 200 countries

•Their well established brand name helps them to attract employees, making them an even stronger company.

FinanceFinance The Chanel business has

gone from strength to strength.

Its only period of trouble, was after rumours spread that Coco was on good terms with the Nazi’s in 1940’s Germany.

However, this aside, Chanel’s image has improved by the decade, the brand remaining as exclusive as ever.

Its profits have shown a dramatic increase since it launched advertising campaigns fronted by actresses Nicole Kidman and Keira Knightley.