A Comprehensive Analysis of Coco Chanel's Influence on Fashion Design

This essay provides a comprehensive analysis of Coco Chanel's significant influence on the world of fashion. Beginning with a biographical overview, it highlights Chanel's early career, the establishment of her brand, and the introduction of iconic products like Chanel No. 5. The essay delves into the types of items Chanel created, from clothing and accessories to perfumes and cosmetics, emphasizing her innovative approach to design and her focus on comfort and elegance. It explores the opinions of other fashion designers and critics, noting both praise and criticism of her work, and how she is viewed as a symbol of independent women. The essay further examines the concepts behind her clothing, such as her straight skirts, the little black dress, and Chanel suits, which revolutionized women's fashion. Ultimately, the report concludes that Coco Chanel's influence is undeniable, as she transformed women's fashion and is considered a pioneer of modern design.

Analyse the influence
Coco Chanel had on
fashion designers

INTRODUCTION
Gabrielle Bonheur Coco Chanel was born 19 August 1883 in Saumur, France. She was a
French designer of women’s clothes and a founder of the Chanel brand. In 1920 Chanel
introduced her first perfume product, Chanel No. 5 which remains popular today (Ewing, 2014).
The popularity of the perfume matures all the time. At the same time, she started to broaden and
launched a cosmetics line and a range of skincare products. She also has a huge range of make
up limited edition collections. Chanel continued her success with realising her design in
handbags, shoes, jewellery. In 1970 her brands value was $19 billion (equivalent to $118 billion
in 2015). Chanel was a popular figure in Paris and she became one of the richest women of all
time because of her career and brand. This essay will focus on the impact Coco Chanel had on
fashion designers. Firstly, what type of items did Coco Chanel made. Secondly, The opinion of
other fashion designers and people around her, and what they thought about Coco Chanel and
thirdly, how Coco Chanel influenced people in fashion and the styles they use today (Kapferer,
2014).
Journey of Coco Chanel
Very talented and creative fashion designer has revolutionised the world of fashion with
the never ending tale of clothes, designs and styles. The House of Chanel, founded by Gabrielle
Chanel is treating women with the range of products from hats, perfumes, handbags, dresses and
many accessories. In very early age she has realised the career for herself through identifying her
skills and talents.
In 1905, she has started a small vending hat shop selling the handmade hat of particular
size and shape. The shop was financed by Balsan Captain, who later became her business
partner. With the beginning of her business through this shop she has started making her client's
and expand the range of friends and customers. Her work start getting recognition among the
people. After the attainment of adequate experience and learning working styles she has started
her boutique in 1910 that became a licensed modiste (Hat maker) after that step. The step taken
by her brought upward steep inclination in her career (Fiemeyer, 2014). The shop became
famous in the world for the exclusive designs made by her along with the appropriate use of
fabric. The hats prepared was proved to be useful for different occasions. In that boutique she has
expanded her business with simultaneously selling sewing dresses of jersey fabric.

Begin with that step, she has made different types dress discoveries that has changed the
pattern of women clothing such as inducing women track suits, sailor suit, tight skirt for beaches.
Confining not just to clothing she has brought transition in different forms of fashion statements
such as hairstyles. In 1917, her short hair became prevalent among all the women.
In 1917 she started experimenting with the colour black and began introducing the
dresses with this colour (Bruzzi and Gibson, 2013). This has changed the perception of people
about the wearing of black dress. Earlier restricting themselves from including it in their
wardrobe, later it became essential for every women.
Later, In 1920's she has started brought expansion in the business further more with the
opening of Big fashion house. At this new expansion, she has included accessories for women
beginning with perfume. Among many samples available for her, she has chosen the most
peculiar one with the extraordinary fragrance and named it “Chanel 5” which is still the world's
best selling perfume.
After that range of products are offered by the house such as jewellery, make up,
skincare, fragrance, watches, sunglasses and fashion. It has attracted the customers with the
uniqueness and comfort in their products. Each product was created with certain purpose
fulfilling the needs of people (Wulc, Sharma and Czyz, 2012). Her prime focus on enhancing the
femininity in women with the elegance and fashion in her dresses has led to change in world of
women clothing.
Opinion of other fashion designers about Coco Chanel fashion
An outstanding and timeless fashion designer to casual chic, there are many attributes
given to her. With the mixed viewpoints she has always been the matter of debate for fashion
analysts. With few embracing her talents and trend started by her and in contrast considered as
the normal women.
She has been successful is acquiring certain feathers of compliments in her hat. Her
designs were considered as the symbol of independent women and she is attributed to develop
the modern women (Pass, 2011). On the other hand she has found criticised with the statements
blaming that her designs were copied and imitated from men's wear, she has dressed the royalties
of the country that are duchess and queens with ordinary accessories and little black dress that
was against signifying their majesty. In-spite of such criticism she has hold the status of women's
inspiration and their preferred brand of clothing.

Various critics has signified her as the most influential fashion icon of all times.
Captivating the attention and interest from her sophisticated and comfortable dresses, she has
ruled the world of fashion portrayed as the legendary designer known for timeless duration even
the decades after her deaths (Barrère, 2013).
In contrast, according to many fashion designers who were experts and specialists in their
field have made negative remark on the products launched by her in different segments. For
instance, her elegant straight skirt is considered no unique and is regard as the most copied
fashion of all time. Her famous Chanel 5 fragrance is considered as the most improper perfume
for the elegant and sophisticated royal ladies. It is basically having the tinge of masculinity due
to its dark and leathery touch. Fashion critics were hardly impressed with her designs and fashion
dressings and reiterated them as that of not an extraordinary women style statement.
In-spite of all these harsh and negative critics, her designs and products have impressed
many fashion designers and celebrities leading to the growing fame and letting her win the
fashion crown. The product launched by ensured was predicted to be ensured as having
immortality and last longer effect (Prescott, 2011).
Concept behind her clothing
Coco chanel clothing was beyond any rules and patterns. The basic aim of her clothing
was to look unique and be comfortable in the wearing. Taking care of it, she has always focussed
on embracing the femininity through her designs. There are range of products that signifies her
style statements.
Her straight skirts and elegant styles has brought transition in the way women used to
cloth themselves. With the introduction of different products such as beach pyjamas, loose fitting
sweaters, simple knit skirts and trench-coats, the preferences was shifted from the suffocating
dresses to the comfortable and good looking options.
There are many dresses which has revolutioned the trend of clothing by the women and
has created the trademarks in many aspects. Such as the chanel suits are considered as the most
appropriate option for women for evening visits as well as the business summits. Along with this
the most remarkable innovation by her that is little black dress has led the changes in the fashion.
It has been the most desired option for women in their wardrobes.
In other products such as hats with which she has incepted her business had been
available in the range of designs and fabrics (Scheibel, 2011). Hats has been the most significant

part of the fashion statements provided by her to the women. There are variety of options made
by her with different experiments made in them. It is stated that the trends of House of Chanel
was begun with these products which was intimately maintained by her in all respect.
Perfumes, specially Chanel 5 has revolutionised her business success and growth in all
respect (Simon, 2011). Along ith this there are range of fragrances available for women
becoming the most desired products for them. Further, the major section of its working was of
handbags and sunglasses which are widely used by all sections of the women society. From
royalties to the normal women and celebrities, the products of chanel are worn by all the
segments.
The products of Chanel are considered as the products of independent women. It is all
used by them in significant manner having the major share in market in each area of it working.
CONCLUSION
The report is prepared to elucidate the growth of the fashion designer Coco chanel who
has revolutionised the world of fashion in all respect. It is found that it is brought major
transition in the dressing style of all women around the world. She is considered as the developer
of modern women. She has started her business as a hat maker and later on expanded through
offerings in wide range of products such as dresses, suits, skirts, perfumes, handbags, sunglasses
and many others. Recognizing at the legendary designer she is regarded as the pioneer of women
fashion clothing.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Barrère, C., 2013. Heritage as a basis for creativity in creative industries: the case of taste
industries. Mind & Society, 12(1), pp.167-176.
Bruzzi, S. and Gibson, P.C., 2013. Fashion Cultures Revisited: Theories, Explorations and
Analysis. Routledge.
Ewing, E., 2014. History of 20th century fashion. Pavilion Books.
Fiemeyer, I., 2014. Coco Chanel. LIT EDIZIONI.
Kapferer, J.N., 2014. The artification of luxury: From artisans to artists.Business Horizons, 57(3),
pp.371-380.
Pass, V., 2011. Strange glamour: fashion and surrealism in the years between the World Wars.
Prescott, T., 2011. Gazing into the Gorgeous Abyss: Judith Brown's Glamour in Six
Dimensions. Journal of Modern Literature, 34(4), pp.185-191.
Scheibel, S., 2011. Ethical Luxury-Myth or Trend?. GRIN Verlag.
Simon, L., 2011. Coco Chanel. Reaktion Books.
Wulc, A.E., Sharma, P. and Czyz, C.N., 2012. The anatomic basis of midfacial aging.
In Midfacial Rejuvenation (pp. 15-28). Springer New York.