Chanel
Chanel was the French dress designer who ruled over Parisian haute couture for nearly 60 years. Her elegant but casual designs inspired women of fashion.
Born in the French countryside, Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, was orphaned at age six. Later she opened a shop selling sweaters, shirts and accessories. Her nonconformist designs stressed simplicity and comfort.
At the peak of her success, Chanel Industries employed 3,500 people and included a fashion house, a textile business, perfume labs and costume jewelry workshops. The extremely successful perfume, Chanel No. 5, was introduced in 1922. She never married but remained in the social and artistic circles of Paris.
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