Coco Chanel Research Papers

By merely glimpsing a picture of Coco Chanel, grace, and luxury radiates off her glamorous smile. Her life however, was less glamorous than her smile would have you believe. From being abandoned by her father, to the death of her lover, to the Great Depression and the devastation of World War Two, she pushed through with an air of elegance and determination in her step. Coco Chanel was an icon in fashion, feminism, and charm, and significantly benefitted the world of fashion by breaking domestic precedents through implementing comfortable luxury, relinquishing suppressive fashions, and empowering women to step out of the shadows of men.
Gabrielle, "Coco" Chanel was more than just a pretty face in a glamorous world, and her world was not always
Coco Chanel chopped her hair to her chin for reason of simple upkeep, however the effect of it caused a formerly male cut to become a particularly stylish, feminine one. By simply trimming a few inches, Chanel brought ease to women struggling with long locks. At the time, long hair was the only style socially acceptable, and was difficult to keep looking polished. When asked about the designs of an up and coming designer, Christian Dior, Chanel bluntly replied, "Look how ridiculous these women are, wearing clothes by a man that doesn't know women, never had one, and dreams of being one". ("Coco"). By simply bashing the corsets so coveted by high fashion, Chanel influenced women to throw away the restrictive garments. Chanel suits were designed with both comfort and elegance in mind; for women out and about, making their way in the world. Her iconic suits were a business woman's staple. They boasted special pockets to hold cigarettes, and a certain powerful flair that allowed for women to feel powerful in a world dominated by the men. By chopping her long curls to a boyish bob, and taking a masculine fashion and fitting it to give a feminine élan, Chanel spit in the face of traditional fashion.
While simultaneously implementing comfort to haute couture, and relinquishing confining garments popular at the time, Chanel empowered women by challenging everything women had ever worn. Coco Chanel curated clothing that challenged the precedents of female fashion all throughout history, and empowered women to challenge the "man's world" (Chong). She brought pants, suits, and boxy dresses to high fashion; something that had never been done before. Suddenly, women were turning trousers and suits into street style, giving rise to the era of the business