When we hear ‘Chanel,’ we think of the elegant No. 5 bottle or the gold chain on a handbag. But behind this luxury is a true revolutionary.
Coco Chanel, whose biography, according to official archives, began in 1883, lived for almost ninety years, witnessing the change of eras, two world wars and technological breakthroughs. But her start did not promise any triumph.
Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel grew up in a very poor family. After her mother's death, her father simply left 12-year-old Gabrielle and her sisters in a convent shelter. There, she never received formal professional education in the modern sense. It was there, among the nuns, that she learned to sew impeccably and fell in love with the graphic combination of black and white — the colours of monastic clothing, which later formed Coco Chanel's unique style.
The First World War changed everything. While the men were at the front, women took to the wheel, worked in offices and hospitals. Chanel felt this social upheaval. She understood that women needed freedom of movement. She adapted masculine elements of clothing - jackets, straight silhouettes, practical fabrics - and made them acceptable for women in everyday life.
Perhaps the most famous item in the world is the Chanel 2.55 bag. It appeared in February 1955 (hence the name). Before that, most elegant bags were carried in the hands. By adding a long chain, Coco freed women's hands. It's not just a design — it's a symbol of a woman's right to be active, independent, and unburdened by excess.
Chanel popularised costume jewellery, consistently promoting the idea that jewellery should emphasise style rather than demonstrate wealth.
She made black, which had previously been only a colour of mourning, a colour of absolute elegance. This is how the legendary little black dress appeared, whose history has lasted for almost a century.
Learning English about fashion through Chanel aesthetics:
- LBD (Little Black Dress) - a small black dress.
- A game changer - a person or event that radically changes the rules of the game (this is the perfect description of Coco).
- Effortless chic - elegance without effort (the style she preached).
- Empowerment - expanding rights and opportunities (what the 2.55 bag did for women's hands).
When we look at Coco Chanel's rules for success, we see a woman who never gave up. Studying quotes from famous people in English is a great way to understand their character without translators:
«Success is often achieved by those who don't know that failure is inevitable.»
«Fashion fades, only style remains.»
«The most courageous act is still to think for yourself. Aloud.»
«Don't spend time beating on a wall, hoping to transform it into a door.»
These quotes, traditionally attributed to Coco Chanel, have become a benchmark for millions of women.
Although Chanel was French, her business empire and global influence are inextricably linked to the English-speaking world. Most of the most in-depth research, documentaries and interviews are available in English today.
Today, we value functionality. Chanel was the first to say, ‘Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.’ Knowing her story today means understanding that success is possible even after the most difficult childhood, if you have the courage to go against the rules.
If you want to dive deeper into the culture, the English-speaking community SARGOI is the perfect place. It's not just English courses, but an environment for developing critical thinking and cultural exchange. At SARGOI, you learn the language to discover the world of fashion, history, and global values.
