• Gabrielle Coco Chanel was born in the late 1800s to Albert Chanel and Jeanne Devolle in the mall city of Saumur, located in France

• At the age of 12 Chanels mother died from tuberculosis

• Her father later left her family in order to work and support his children, forcing Chanel to live in an orphanage, which she spent 7 years in

• Was taught the trade of sewing by the nuns and her aunts

• Opened her first shop in 1913, which was later closed down

• Met Arthur Capel who assisted her in opening her second shop, where she received many new and famous clients

• Later open a third and largest shop in France during World War 1

• Made a change for women in fashion history by designing the power suit and little black dress when women realized they wanted to dress for themselves

• In the end Coco Chanel has created of the most recognized and appreciated fashion companies in the world

The Chanel Empire

• Chanel brought out designs which changed the image for women as well as the fashion world

• These designs inspired women to dress for themselves

• In the 1920s the Chanel suit was made, which entailed a knee-length skirt and a boxy jacket, worn with a pearl necklace that became an inspiration to women

• The little black dress also made fashion history

• It was tighter, shorter, strapless, and backless and was a more daring dress, which stirred up a lot of controversy

• Chanel products marked the symbols of elegance and style in fashion history

• Chanel also had a large role in helping design the image of the 1920s flapper

Percentage of profit brought in by each Chanel line

Chanel Fashion Shows

• One of the largest events of the fashion world

• A Chanel fashion show is an invite only event

• Mainly for celebrities, retail buyers and the press

• People are seated by status; celebrities in the front, followed by important buyers

• The runway is where the new collections are introduced

• Models walk the runway in ready to wear outfits that include clothing, shoes, handbags, and other accessories

• The main and most important shows take place in Paris during fashion week as well as New York City

• The fashion show is a persuasive and influential marketing tool used by the fashion industry

New Chanel Collection

• The new fall/winter 2008/2009 line was launched in February during the Paris Fashion week

• The line consists of mainly grey, black, white and cream colours

• Karl Legerfeld has designed a tweed look for this season

• Skirts and jackets, etc. frayed at the elbows and seams with unraveling braids

• The collection also carries lassos, long and plain evening capes worn over short dresses

• This seasons collection has a back to school theme to it

• Blazers, skirts, leggings, etc. with plaid patterns

Change in haute couture handbag revenue over past 3 years Yearly Handbag revenue (billions) Company

References

• http://news.sawf.org/Designers/48675.aspx

• http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2006/oct/07/imogenfox.uknews2

• http://www.infomat.com/runway/chanel.html

• http://womenshistory.about.com/od/chanelcoco/a/coco_chanel.htm

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coco_Chanel

• http://www.evancarmichael.com/Famous-Entrepreneurs/631/Coco-Chanel-Bio.html

• http://www.time.com/time/time100/artists/profile/chanel.html

• http://www.audioagain.com/shared/imagestore/chanel.jpg

• http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/08_01/keiraChanel120807_468x627.jpg

• http://frillr.com/files/images/Chanel%20Eyewear%20Winter%202007%20%20Anja%20Rubik%20by%20Karl%20Lagerfeld.jpg

• http://www.mediabistro.com/unbeige/original/(Swan).jpg