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Designers in the spotlight

“I don’t do fashion. I am fashion” was a declaration of legendary Coco Chanel, who would have turned 139 years today. Meet the designer who was inspired by a nation in grief when she created the "little black dress." Through the investigation of her boyfriends' money, Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel established the most well-known fashion house in the world, rewriting every rule of womenswear through her androgynous silhouettes. 

Her best asset was the capacity to foresee changes in time and their emotional catalysts before anybody else did. She wasn't always a unique creator, but she was a real agent of change in the fashion industry. Even to those who have no particular interest in fashion, her narrative has become legendary, while its fundamental facts are now a part of fashion mythology. Born in 1883, Chanel had a very humble childhood, growing up at an orphanage, with roots that had particular influences later on her aesthetic and brand vision. She went against the norm by dressing like a male and has shaped a strong, independent woman who is free to wear anything she wants and is contemporary, and powerful. Rather minimal, functional, and frequently influenced by menswear, her designs enclosed a personal revenge on society: dressing the wealthy like workers. She was a true visionary, promoting authenticity and simplicity in a conspicuous society that valorized glamour and excess. Although intelligent and determined, she was stubborn, sharp and full of prejudices, and there was never a smile on her face.

When Chanel liberated women from "dresses in which one can't move," she reformed womenswear through designs like the classic Chanel suit, which features buttons that resemble jewelry, a jacket with military influences, and pad pockets. She also ventured to shorten the skirts so that ankles were exposed! Some considered her outrageous, yet she continued to sell ties that she would feminize, turning them into bows. The timeless tweed jackets, quilted bags and costume jewelry are also part of her design legacy. Moreso, her impact exceeded the sphere of dressing. She wore short hair when attending the opera theatre at night, statement which popularized the new "garçon" (boyish) look among many ladies.

Search for ‘Chanel’ on our website and you can find a vast selection of pre-loved pieces: from iconic traces of Coco’s timeless designs to contemporary reinterpretations of Chanel design codes into sneakers or belt bags. Choose your favorite, it is said that a true fashionista’s wardrobe will never be complete without a Chanel!

All pictures via Vogue

 

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