Coco Chanel

Every entry, with its source

At 0

1. Aug 19, 1883

   Born Gabrielle Chanel in a charity hospital in Saumur

   Her mother was a laundrywoman.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 10

1. c. 1894

   Mother died; sent to the Aubazine convent orphanage at 11

   She learned to sew during six years there.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 17

1. c. 1901

   Left the orphanage at 18 for a boarding house in Moulins

   She worked as a seamstress and sang at a cafe-concert. A song about Coco gave her the nickname.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 26

1. c. 1910

   Licensed milliner; opened Chanel Modes at 21 rue Cambon

   Financed by Arthur 'Boy' Capel. Actress Gabrielle Dorziat wearing her hats on stage in 1912 made her name.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 29

1. c. 1913

   Opened a boutique in Deauville

   Deluxe casual clothes for leisure and sport, made of jersey, a fabric then used for men's underwear.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 31

1. c. 1915

   Opened a couture house in Biarritz

   In a villa opposite the casino, close to wealthy Spanish clients. Highly profitable.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 34

1. c. 1918

   Bought 31 rue Cambon

   Registered as a couturiere by 1919. By 1927 she owned five buildings on the street.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 36

1. Dec 22, 1919

   Boy Capel died

   The English businessman who had financed her first shops.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 37

1. May 5, 1921

   Launched Chanel No. 5

   Created by perfumer Ernest Beaux. She picked the fifth sample vial.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 42

1. c. 1926

   American Vogue publishes her little black dress

   Vogue called it the garconne look.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 47

1. c. 1931

   Samuel Goldwyn hired her to dress Hollywood stars

   They met in Monte Carlo.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 55

1. c. 1939

   Closed her couture house at the outbreak of war

   She kept her apartment above the shop at 31 rue Cambon. After the war she moved to Switzerland.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 70

1. c. 1954

   Comeback collection at 70, after 15 years away

   Financed by Pierre Wertheimer. The French press was cool; the American and British press loved it.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 71

1. Feb 1955

   The 2.55 quilted handbag

   Named for its launch date, February 1955.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org

At 87

1. Jan 10, 1971

   Died at 87 at the Hotel Ritz, Paris

   She had lived there for more than 30 years.

   Source: en.wikipedia.org