Coco Chanel’s legendary status as a designer isn’t solely based on the LBD. Here are five other innovations she introduced.
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For more than a century, the designs of Coco Chanel have been synonymous with timeless style, beginning with the iconic Little Black Dress (LBD). But the pioneering 20th-century French fashion maven had more magic up her sleeve. She left an indelible legacy with her innovative designs and concepts. Here are some of her – other – major contributions:
For a deeper dive into the fascinating and controversial life of this fashion pioneer, watch MagellanTV's Wars of Coco Chanel.
1. Chanel No. 5 Perfume: Launched in 1921, Chanel No. 5 was the first perfume to bear a designer’s name, virtually inventing the concept of strategic branding. The fragrance was groundbreaking due to its use of aldehydes, which enhanced its bouquet and made it one of the world’s most enduring and best-selling perfumes.
2. The Tweed Suit: Chanel revolutionized women’s fashion in the 1950s with her introduction of the tweed suit. This design combined elegance with comfort, moving away from the restrictive corseted fashion of the time. The suit’s collarless jacket and knee-length skirt offered a modern, practical, and stylish outfit for women. Its importance is in its embodiment of freedom and simplicity, redefining women’s workwear.
A vintage c. 1965 purple mohair tweed women's suit from the House of Chanel. (Source: Mabalu, via Wikimedia Commons)
3. The Quilted Handbag (2.55 Bag): Introduced in February 1955 (hence the name 2.55), Chanel’s quilted handbag featured a chain strap. This allowed women to carry their bags on their shoulders for the first time – a practical solution that didn’t sacrifice style. The quilted design and the bag’s functional yet elegant look have made it an iconic accessory that remains popular today.
4. Costume Jewelry: Chanel was instrumental in popularizing costume jewelry, mixing it with real jewels. She believed in accessorizing tastefully and thought that jewelry should not be confined to the elite. By introducing high-quality, affordable jewelry, Chanel democratized luxury and blurred the lines between ‘real’ and costume jewelry, making fashion more accessible.
Chanel’s desire to pare down over-accessorizing made her very modern. She famously said, “Once you’ve dressed, and before you leave the house, look in the mirror and take at least one thing off.”
5. Weighted Chain in Suit Jackets: Chanel’s introduction of the weighted chain in the hem of her suit jackets was a subtle yet impactful innovation. This detail ensured that the jacket hung perfectly on the body, emphasizing comfort without compromising elegance. It exemplifies Chanel’s attention to detail and her understanding of how clothing interacts with the wearer’s movements.
Coco Chanel’s contributions to fashion were not just about creating stylish clothing and accessories; they were about revolutionizing the way women perceived and wore fashion. Her innovations brought comfort, practicality, and elegance into women’s wardrobes, making her one of the most influential fashion designers of the 20th century.
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