

The company she kept, the path she took to garnering success, and the musings she imparted throughout her lifetime are still carefully examined by fashion fans. Indeed, her life-just as much as her work-has been the subject of books, films, television shows, and other forms of media.

Plus, the leader of the storied maison’s quotes weren’t without its fair share of bluntness, making them that much more relatable as time passes. The industry matriarch’s quipped sayings can be applied to plethora of instances in life – making them just as relevant today as they were when she actually said them. Whether it’s for affirmation or quotes meant to empower and encourage women, Chanel has a wide range of words of wisdom that are used to push the new generations, in fashion, particularly forward. Now, more than a century since she opened her maison, Chanel’s legacy continues to inspire. She was first to use cotton jersey in womenswear, introduced the little black dress, and made bouclé jackets and skirts a style staple. She was a pioneering designer who simplified silhouettes down to their bare minimum, freeing women from corsetry and infusing menswear sensibilities into her patterns and fabric selections.

To wit: When Time magazine came out with its “100 Persons of the Century,” she was the sole fashion figure to make the list. In the fashion industry, Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel is in a league all of her own. Watch runway shows from the hottest fashion designers, scope the best-dressed celebrities on the red carpet street style, discover the latest and greatest.
