TAKE.ME.BACK THURSDAYZ: Coco Chanel

March 06, 2014

TAKE.ME.BACK THURSDAYZ: Coco Chanel

“A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.”

-CoCo Chanel

It's Thursday and we are soooo ready for our #TBT aka "Take Me Back" feature! Ladies and gents we will be taking a step back into the 1920's.

CoCo Chanel

Was a revolutionary in women's fashion during the "Jazz Age", introducing to the world of fashion; loose jersey fabrics, tweeds, two and three piece suits and, of course, we can't forget the string of pearls. Chanel, a tomboy at heart, introduced the idea of simplicity to the fashion world. “Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance.” Many fashionistas should take note from Miss Chanel. Overcrowding an outfit with to many accessories can take away from it's beauty. Remember that YOU ARE the statement piece and that the outfit is supposed to an extension of you.

“A girl should be two things: who and what she

wants.” - Coco Chanel

Here are some facts about the early life of Coco Chanel from collegefashion.net

Coco Chanel was born Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel on August 19, 1883. Her mother was an unwed laundrywoman and her father was a nomadic street peddler. Eventually, though, her parents did marry.

Chanel’s mother died in 1895 when Chanel was only twelve years old. Her father, unable to care for her and her siblings, sent them off to receive the best possible care he could afford. Chanel and her sister wound up in a convent that ran an orphanage for girls.

At the age of eighteen, Chanel left the convent and began to work as a seamstress, singing in a cabaret on the side. It was in the cabaret that Chanel adopted the name “Coco,” inspired by two of her signature songs.

Ever the opportunist, Chanel became the mistress of Captain Arthur Edward Capel in 1908, who had the means to pay for an apartment for her in Paris and even provide the funds necessary for her to open her first shops.

In 1918 Chanel bought a building at 31 rue Cambon, which still serves as the fashion house’s flagship store today. By 1921, she had opened her most famous fashion boutique.

Though Chanel’s later life became quite controversial (for example, she was accused of helping the Germans during the Second World War and was outright homophobic) it is clear that the fashion world was never the same after her influence. Chanel also proved that with enough determination and creativity, one can achieve tremendous success despite coming from such humble beginnings.

“In order to be irreplaceacle, one must always be

different.” ― Coco Chanel

Check Miss Chanel out back in the 1920s…stuntin' on these galssss. Go Coco!

Fast forward to 2014 Chanel is one the top powerhouse in fashion. On March 4, 2014 during Fashion Week in Paris, France, Chanel transformed their runway into a supermarket for their Womenswear Fall/Winter 2014 & 2015 collection. Titled the "Chanel Shopping Center," the show transformed the Grand Palais into supermarket of "goods" labeled with the iconic Chanel C logo. We wouldn't mind getting our hands on one of those Chanel shopping baskets. We also love the tweed and gym shoe paring! Comfortably Stylish! Will you try the look?