Top 5 fun facts about Coco Chanel


 

Do you know who Coco Chanel is? You probably do. Every woman has, at least once, dreamt of owning a Chanel product, especially one of its iconic bags, the 2.55 handbag! Chanel is the symbol of the French elegance. So, today, I will be telling you a little more about the founder of the high fashion house Chanel, the sophisticated Coco Chanel. She is one of the most famous Parisian fashions designers. Her ideas and perspectives on how a woman should dress radically changed the fashion standards. This is why she is a reference for anyone who’s interested in fashion. Coco Chanel spearhead the elegance and sophistication of French women. If you want to know more about how Coco Chanel brought the Chanel fashion house into this world and why she is so special, read on this article and find out my top 5 fun facts about Coco Chanel!

Fun fact º1: She grew up in an orphanage

top5funfactsaboutcocochanel

First of all, you need to know where she grew up. When her mother died, her father put her and her sisters in an orphanage in Corrèze. She was only twelve years old. This fact is very important, because the orphanage was actually the element that inspired plenty of her collections. In fact, this is where she learned to sew and to embroider. The clothes of the nuns and residents of the orphanage had neutral colors, such as white, beige and black. The designs of the abbay stained glasses looked like interlaced C’s. All these details influenced her fashion perspectives and contributed to the birth of the Chanel fashion house!

Fun fact nº2: The reason why she was called Coco

top5funfactsaboutcocochanel1

When she reached the age of the eighteen, she went to her aunt’s house in Moulins. She started hanging around in cafés where she sang and performed to the men there. They began calling her “Coco” because she used to the sing the Qui qu’a vu Coco dans l’Trocadéro? song. But her real name was Gabrielle Chasnel.

Fun fact nº3: She’s the one who freed the women

top5funfactsaboutcocochanel2

Coco Chanel always affirmed her style and wanted to stand out from the crowd. She used to make her own clothes and hats and wear them to social events. Her outfits were very different from the ones people were used to at that time. At first, she got famous thanks to her hat creations, that were very simple and stylish. In 1910, she opened her first store in Paris, but she was only selling hats. The hats had such tremendous success, she opened more stores and started creating clothes collections. The Chanel fashion house was then established at rue Cambon, next to the luxurious Place Vendôme in 1921.

top5funfactsaboutcocochanel3

This rapid business growth was due to the fact that Coco Chanel definitely brought “something new” to womens wardrobe. She created clothes for independent and active women. Pants, suits, dresses showing the ankle, strap bags were being worn thanks to her. To her, it was important that women could feel comfortable but still elegant. Mixing masculine fashion with feminine, Coco Chanel showed the world you could be feminine while wearing some pants and a cardigan, that women could pull off suits, that it was not reserved to men.

Fun fact nº4: She’s the “inventor” of the Little Black Dress

top5funfactsaboutcocochanel4

In 1926, the famous Little Black Dress was created. It has become a must for every woman. Sometimes you spend hours trying to pick an outfit for an event, when a little black dress is always a safe bet! Vogue described the dress as “a sort of uniform for all women of taste”. The secret is to wear a simple black dress, and the accessories will complete the outfit and give it all its charm. Also, Coco Chanel is actually the one who popularized the black color, because, before her, this color was exclusively used for funerals.

Fun fact nº5: She lived in a hotel for thirty years

top5funfactsaboutcocochanel5

For more than thirty years, Coco Chanel lived in the Hotel Ritz, located at Place Vendôme in Paris. She died in her suite in 1971. This place was very dear to her heart. The hotel named the suite after her, and kept all the decorations she brought in and all her personal items. If you’d feel like spending a night in the Coco Chanel suite, it would cost you more than 18 000 euros.

You now know my top 5 fun facts about Coco Chanel! I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this article. This lady was one of the most important fashion designers in Paris. Her legacy and fashion sense will live on, since she revolutionized the fashion world forever. Simplicity is the basis of every sophisticated outfit, because style is founded on attitude and confidence. That is what Coco Chanel proved during her career. Every woman can be good-looking as long as she’s confident enough to the point of wearing men’s clothes. If it wasn’t for her, maybe we’d still be wearing corsets! While in Paris, discover the city’s treasures and all its most charming and luxurious parts where Coco Chanel used to spend time. Walk Rue de la Paix and have a look at all the mesmerizing jewelry displayed in the vitrines. You will understand why Coco Chanel valued accessories, since they complete and give a special touch to any outfit! Don’t hesitate to contact us if you need further information about anything! We will make sure you will have the best time in Paris!

Planning a trip to Paris ? Get ready !


These are Amazon’s best-selling travel products that you may need for coming to Paris.

Bookstore

  1. The best travel book : Rick Steves – Paris 2023 – Learn more here
  2. Fodor’s Paris 2024 – Learn more here

Travel Gear

  1. Venture Pal Lightweight Backpack – Learn more here
  2. Samsonite Winfield 2 28″ Luggage – Learn more here
  3. Swig Savvy’s Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle – Learn more here

Check Amazon’s best-seller list for the most popular travel accessories. We sometimes read this list just to find out what new travel products people are buying.