DOZ Inspirational Biography
Coco Chanel
Mercy James
Coco Chanel lived a life that exceeded that of a
typical woman by becoming a famous fashion
designer, remarkable Nazi spy, and a strategic
businesswoman before her death. She
was born on the 19th of August
1883 in France to Eugénie
Jeanne Devolle, who was
a laundrywoman in
the charity hospital
run by the Sisters of
Providence in Saumur,
Maine-et-Loire,
France. She never
had the opportunity
to start her life
in a royal palace
or a place where
wealth dominates
poverty, yet she
lived to become a
legend whose name
shall survive from one
generation to another.
Due to a wretched life, Coco
never had the opportunity to
enjoy the care of her mother, who
died due to the inability of her family to
provide her with adequate care. From their one-
room apartment, Coco was sent to the convent of
Aubazine with her sister, where she found a new
home, a place to start a new life.
Judging from her background, no one would
believe anything significant could come from
Coco, but she grew to become a brave and
courageous woman among her equals.
During the post-world war I era, Coco received
an honor for liberating women from the
constraints of the corseted silhouette through
her innovations. During World War II, she was
DOZ Magazine | November 2019
also famous for her action that led to the loss of
employment of about 4000 female employees
when she closed her store.
Coco’s entrepreneurial skills and business
strategy were of a high level. She had a unique
ability to start a business from a ground level
to a world-class level. She is the founder of the
world recognized Chanel brand.
She didn’t only design clothes as a fashion
designer; she was also famous for her jewelry,
handbags, and perfumes. Coco did
not depart this world without
achievements that were once
only linked to men.
As part of her
achievements, she
was the only fashion
designer listed in Time
Magazine’s list of the
100 most influential
people of the 20th
century.
Being a creative and
innovative woman,
Chanel, designed
so many things.
One of which is her
famous interlocked-CC
monogram.
Unlike several legends, Coco
unusually left this world at the
age of 87, and it was a magical exit.
After a long drive in the afternoon she
returned home and decided to go to bed. As
though she knew it would be her last moment,
she announced to her maid, “You see, this is how
you die.” Those were the last words of the legend
who slept on Saturday and failed to awake on
Sunday, 10th January 1971. On the same day, she
was declared dead.
It doesn’t matter how you start but how you
end. Your background shouldn’t rub you of your
destiny. Being a woman shouldn’t be a barrier
to greatness. It should propel you to fame and
motivate you to do more. You are more than you
think you are.
10
H
ave you ever wondered what a girl should
be? Two things, “Classy and Fabulous,”
according to the famous French fashion
designer Gabrielle Bonheur “Coco” Chanel, who
lived a life of a difference according to her quote,
“In order to be irreplaceable one must always be
different.” And she was indeed irreplaceable.