Early Life and Humble Beginnings
Coco Chanel was born to an unwed mother, Eugénie Jeanne Devolle, and an itinerant peddler, Albert Chanel. Her early childhood was spent in poverty. After her mother’s death in 1895, Chanel and her sisters were placed in an orphanage in Aubazine, where she was raised by nuns. During her time at the orphanage, she learned to sew, a skill that would eventually play a pivotal role in her future career.
Chanel's early years were marked by deprivation, but it was also during this time that she began to develop a keen sense of style. Despite the challenges she faced, her resilience and drive to rise above her circumstances were clear.
Beginnings of a Fashion Icon
Chanel’s career in fashion did not begin in Paris, the world’s fashion capital, but rather in a small French town. At the age of 18, she left the orphanage and moved to Moulins, where she worked as a seamstress and a cabaret singer. It was during this period that she earned the nickname "Coco," which she reportedly derived from a song she sang at the cabaret, "Qui qu’a vu Coco?" (Who has seen Coco?).
In 1909, Chanel met wealthy textile heir Étienne Balsan, who provided her with financial support. Chanel moved into his mansion in Royallieu and soon gained access to the world of high society. It was here that she learned about the business of fashion and began designing hats. In 1910, she opened her first millinery shop, "Chanel Modes," in Paris, which marked the beginning of her fashion empire. shutdown123