Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel (1883-1971)

In the fourth instalment of BoF’s fashion history series, we meet the creator of the ‘little black dress,’ who took her cues from a country in mourning. Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel, the designer doyenne who founded fashion’s most famous house, used her lovers’ money to establish herself and rewrote the rulebook with her mannish collections.

In honor of Coco Chanel's birthday, we have compiled 19 facts that every fashion fanatic should know about the designer.

19 Things You Should Know About Coco Chanel

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GABRIELLE 'COCO' CHANEL /n(1883-1971). French fashion designer. Photograph, mid 20th century Stock Photo - Alamy

Coco Chanel, French fashion designer who ruled Parisian haute couture for almost six decades. Among her now-classic innovations were the Chanel suit, the quilted purse, costume jewelry, and the little black dress. Learn more about Chanel’s life and career.

Coco Chanel, Biography, Fashion, Designs, Perfume, & Facts

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GABRIELLE 'COCO' CHANEL /n(1883-1971). French fashion designer. Photograph, early 20th century Stock Photo - Alamy

French fashion designer Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel in New York City, 1932. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images

French fashion designer Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel in New York City, News Photo - Getty Images

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Image of GABRIELLE 'COCO' CHANEL - (1883-1971). French Fashion Designer. In A Fig Tree With Friends Jean And Valentine Hugo (left) At Her Home, Villa La Pausa, In Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, On The French

Portrait of French fashion designer Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel posing in News Photo - Getty Images

Gabrielle Chanel known as Coco, the French couturier. News Photo - Getty Images

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French fashion designer Coco Chanel with Lady Abdy at Fanbourg St Honore in France. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images

French fashion designer Coco Chanel with Lady Abdy at Fanbourg St News Photo - Getty Images

Gabrielle Bonheur “Coco” Chanel (19 August 1883 – 10 Janua…