11 Photos of Coco Chanel You've Never Seen Before
On this day in 1883, the fashion world changed forever—but it didn't quite know it yet. Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel was born in Saumur, France, a tiny town about 300 miles outside of Paris. In a time when women were used to wearing nothing but constrictive corsets and immobilizing hoop skirts, the woman who came to be known as Coco revolutionized clothing by suggesting women could wear pants.
The rest is history. Her brand would become one of the most instantly recognizable and famous luxury labels in the world, and today we're celebrating what would be her 131st birthday by taking a look back at some of the rarest photographs of the designer.
Scroll down to see 11 photos of the designer you've probably never seen before!
An early, undated photograph of Coco Chanel
An early portrait of Coco Chanel, 1910
A portrait of Coco Chanel, 1910
Coco Chanel playing golf, 1910
Coco Chanel in London, 1932
Coco Chanel in Paris, 1929
Coco Chanel on her first trip to New York City, 1931
Coco Chanel with Hugh Grosvenor, 2nd Duke of Westminster, at Chester Races, 1924
Coco Chanel in the French seaside resort of Biarritz, 1928
Coco Chanel at her home in Faubourg, St Honore, Paris, 1929
A portrait of Coco Chanel, 1926
Hailing from the heart of the South and cutting her teeth on the mean streets of New York, Meghan has six years of experience covering fashion, style, celebrities, culture, and human behavior. A longtime devotee of rap music, tacos, and generally perfect weather, she is excited to put down roots in Los Angeles. Her top three style staples are a good pair of cutoff shorts, virtually any kind of colorful digi-print, and a solid set of shades.
-
Lily-Rose Depp Just Combined 3 Different Y2K Trends in a Single Red Carpet Outfit
Party like it's 1999.
By Drew Elovitz
-
Dua Lipa Wore the Ideal Jeans-and-Flats Outfit for a Day Date With Callum Turner
So cute.
By Erin Fitzpatrick
-
I Live for Couture Week—Here's How I'm Re-Creating the Best Looks
A fairy godmother is not required.
By Jasmine Fox-Suliaman
-
This Is the Royalty-Approved Way to Wear Jeans to a Couture Show
Straight out of Monaco.
By Drew Elovitz
-
The Exact 2 Chanel Nail Polishes Behind Margot Robbie's "Barbie Doll Hands"
New manicure inspo, unlocked.
By Kaitlyn McLintock
-
7 Winter Outfit Ideas Inspired by the Chanel Runways
The chicest inspiration.
By Allyson Payer
-
Sofia Coppola Wore the Jeans-and-Flats Outfit French Girls Love
We say "Oui."
By Drew Elovitz
-
Fashion People Shared Their Best Designer Buys of 2023—Here's What Made the Cut
The girl math is mathing.
By Jasmine Fox-Suliaman