Coco Chanel was born in Saumur, France on August 19th 1883, but she claimed that her real birth year was in 1893.Which made her ten years younger than she really was. Her mother died at the age of thirty three and her father sent Coco and her older sister Julie, to an orphanage when she was twelve years old. She was raised by nuns who taught her how to sew-- a skill that lead her to her life's work. Gabrielle went through a very rough childhood and faced many difficult obstacles. Before becoming a fashion designer she was a singer who performed in clubs in Vichy and Moulins. This is where she became known as "Coco", which she carried on into her fashion line. She made an impression in the fashion world. She first began her company with just clothing than continued to expand it. For example, very fine jewelry and perfumes. Her Chanel No. 5 perfume still continues as of today. After her successful career she died January 10,1971 in Paris, France in her apartment in the Hotel Ritz.
The video above shows what Chanel's life was like and her experience in the fashion world.
The image shown above is the orphanage Coco Chanel stayed in when her father abandoned her.