Written by The Strategy
Get out your tweed suits and little black dresses, everyone. It’s Coco Chanel’s birthday today. Coco Chanel changed fashion as the 1920’s knew it. She was modern, edgy, and followed her instincts, which are only a few of the reasons why it really is a happy day.
In Coco Chanel’s time, the idea of a woman wearing pants was as out-there as Crocs being socially acceptable today. Not only did Coco give women particularly fancy pants to wear around, she gave us the original athletic luxe trend, jersey fabric, the little black dress, and the desire to lay out in the sun for a little bronzing. Can you imagine the fashion world without those things today? Jersey fabric is basically everything, the LBD is a tried and true staple of any good wardrobe, and who knows what would have been the turn out of a fashionable athletics trend if Coco hadn’t built a solid base for it. Tennis inspired clothing, equestrian inspired bags- her vision was the format for us to use.
Coco Chanel wasn’t just influential due to her style. She embodied what it took to make your dreams a reality. Coming from a difficult childhood and in difficult times, especially as a woman wanting to start a business, she achieved what she set out to. Coco was hardworking through and through, right up until she was eighty seven years old and couldn’t work any longer. She created a business that was so successful that she was rubbing elbows with actors, socialites, and other people in high society from all over the world. Everyone was drawn to her ambition and talent for style and design, which is no different now.
There isn’t one person that doesn’t know who or what Chanel is. The parfum is an icon, the classic 2.55 bag is an icon. Even something as simple as two intersecting ‘C’s was made iconic by Coco’s vision.
Today, we don’t just celebrate Coco Chanel’s birthday because she created an icon. We celebrate because she was an extraordinary woman. Driven, outspoken, talented, and intelligent, Coco Chanel was a true gift to the world. Giving us a multitude of fashion inventions, Coco is as influential and important now as she was during her prime.
Happy Birthday, Coco. We are forever thankful for all you gave us.
