Coco Chanel and her eight inventions that changed the fashion world of the 20th century (photo)

Coco Chanel and her eight inventions that changed 20th century fashion (photo)

“The worse a woman is, the better she should look.” These classic, contradictory words belong to Coco Chanel. She was an innovator in everything, especially in the world of fashion.

Gabrielle Chanel was born on August 19, 1883 in Saumur, France. If legendary figures lived forever, she would have turned 140 in August of this year. For her time, Chanel was an innovator, a strong, influential and courageous woman, perhaps that is why she fascinated men and many contemporary women wanted to be Mademoiselles like her.

Today, on the occasion of the birthday of Coco Chanel, whose inventions have completely changed the world of fashion and whose inventions have survived to this day, we will tell you about 8 of her inventions.

**Chanel No. 5 perfume**

“Perfume is an invisible, but unforgettable, incomparable fashion accessory. It is the calling card of a woman’s appearance and continues to remind her of her when she leaves.”

First, let’s start with the scent. Indeed, the Chanel No. 5 perfume has become legendary. Sales statistics show that every thirty seconds in the world someone buys this perfume.

Talented perfumer Ernest Beaux, looking for a fashion house that could embody all his ideas, sent Coco Chanel several samples of the fragrance he had developed. But Chanel chose the number 5. All for her own reasons, because five was a lucky number for her. Together with Ernest, Chanel decided to create a perfume based not on verbena and roses, but on aldehydes. The perfume, housed in an unusual crystal bottle that has remained unchanged since then, was introduced to the world on May 5, 1921. Later, Chanel made it a habit to announce all her collections on the 5th day of the 5th month.

**Little Black Dress**

When you think of the “little black dress,” the name of the magnificent Coco Chanel immediately comes to mind. There is probably no one who has not heard of the legendary black dress. Before Coco, this color was considered a mourning dress. But the designer saw great potential in it and took advantage of it, because for Coco, black was the embodiment of simple elegance. She wanted to create comfort for women, saving them from tight corsets, wide skirts, and numerous pleated dresses. She first changed the opinion of the aristocracy about this color, and then managed to change the entire fashion world. Chanel first presented the Little black dress in 1926. Almost 100 years later, this outfit is still a staple of women's wardrobes.

**Striped shirts and trousers**

For centuries, trousers were the prerogative of men's wardrobes. Coco considered this unfair. Chanel took advantage of the opportunity here too: she first began to wear trousers designed for men, and then redesigned them to fit women's figures. She preferred narrow models during the day, and long and wide models when going out. In this regard, she herself noted: “I gave women their freedom back.”

The designer did not take only trousers from the men's wardrobe. During one of her sea voyages, she liked the striped shirts of sailors so much that she decided to bring them into her wardrobe. Then in 1917 she created the “Navy” collection. She also copied the new style of trousers from the sailors - wide bottoms. With shiny trousers, she loved to wear striped shirts. A similar look is still in fashion today.

**Tweed suit**

At the beginning of the 20th century, coarse fabrics such as tweed and knitwear were intended only for sewing men's suits. But in 1921, Chanel, inspired by the English style, decided to show the world her new creation: a tweed suit and a narrow skirt that fell below the knees (she considered the knees to be the most beautiful part of the female body). Unfortunately, at first, society took such a "novelty" with a cold heart. A few years later, Hollywood stars, politicians' wives and many other women wore these outfits. The perfect two-piece suit has been an essential piece of clothing for many years, and today its various interpretations can be found in the collections of the fashion house.

**Two-tone shoes**

The fashion world should also be grateful to Chanel for the two-tone shoes. Coloring in this style visually lengthens the legs and makes the foot more compact, despite the low heel (in the model she created, the heel was square and only 5 cm high). The combination of white and black, cream and black has become a classic and today easily fits into any look: both with skirts and trousers. Coco herself said: “These are indispensable shoes for all occasions. With four pairs you can travel around the world.”

**Small bag with a long chain**

In 1954, Coco Chanel put forward the idea: “I'm tired of carrying bags in my hands, and besides, I always lose them. The bag should have a strap so that my hands are free.” In February 1955, a bag with a long chain was created. The “2.55” model received this name from the day of its release. Since then, the popularity of this bag model has only grown, despite its high price. Nevertheless, all fashionistas in the world, even more than half a century has passed since its release, want to own such a bag.

**Jewelry and costume jewelry**

Chanel created extremely simple and concise clothes, believed that accessories make the appearance more individual. However, she noted that too much jewelry was decorated with bad taste. She was the first to create a fashion for jewelry, commenting on this: “People with refined taste wear costume jewelry, everyone else deserves gold jewelry.” She herself was able to skillfully combine costume jewelry and expensive jewelry. She democratized pearls and made them fashionable, before that they were only the privilege of high society.

**Short Hair**

They say that Chanel accidentally “tried” short hair on herself. Going to the opera, she burned her hair with a clipper. The hairdresser desperately said that it should be cut. But even here the great Coco did not lose. Even though she was late for the opera, she went to the opera with her hair cut short and amazed all the high-ranking guests. Soon, French women rushed to the salons to get their hair cut. With the advent of a new hairstyle, a new type of hat was born - it was bell-shaped. The front of the hat reached the eyebrows. Coco herself wore it lowered to her eyes.