Coco Chanel (1883- 1971)

Gabrielle Chanel, orphaned at an early age, was raised by nuns. Gabrielle wanted to be a singer. She debuted in a concert cafe. Each of the two songs Gabrielle sang contained the word Coco. The name, which was given to her by the audience, stuck for more than eighty years. Her singing career, however, did not. Coco's voice was limited and work did not come easily. After her short attempt at a singing career, Coco Chanel quit performing to begin work as a hat maker.

Coco Chanel went from designing hats to designing daring new fashions for the women of the 1920's. Her rebellious styles liberated women from the past and became the symbol of modernity.

In 1921, Chanel introduced her first fragrance, Chanel No. 5. She continued to lead the fashion world until her death in 1971.

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