Happy birthday, Coco Chanel! The 8 signatures you can thank her for today

Date August 19, 2015

coco chanel costume jewellery — Photography courtesy of Chanel

Today we may know Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel designs through Karl Lagerfeld’s eyes, so we wouldn’t blame you if you confused a Chanel original as a Lagerfeld invention. While Kaiser Karl keeps it relatively true to her designs by drawing inspiring from her travels, the people she meet and her interests, the house of Chanel today is undoubtedly different from what it once was decades ago under her helm. So in honour of the French designer’s birthday today (she would be 132!), we tracked down eight of Coco Chanel’s original designs – from the iconic leather flap bag to the No.5 perfume.

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coco chanel 2.55 bag

2.55 leather bag

Believe it or not, but the most lady-like bag in history is actually inspired by soldiers’ packs. Tired of toting her handbag around, Chanel added a long, thin chain strap to allow ladies to adjust to their preferred length.

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coco chanel no 5 perfume

Chanel No.5

One of the most complicated fragrances at the time (it has over 80 different ingredients), Chanel’s first fragrance No. 5 quickly became a favourite on every women’s vanity, thanks to its sleek glass bottle design and simple number 5 stamped on the front. It also helps to have the most famous ladies in the industry (ie. Marilyn Monroe, Nicole Kidman, Gisele Bündchen) endorsing the product.

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coco chanel tweed suit

The tweed suit

When one thinks of Chanel, the tweed jacket immediately pops in mind. A material once used only for menswear, the designer re-imagined it for the women, naturally creating this sophisticated and demure look. Hello, there’s a reason why it’s still a staple in the collection today.

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coco chanel costume jewellery

Costume jewellery

Love accessorizing with fun, fake jewellery? We have Chanel to thank. In an era when statement jewellery were rarely worn out unless real, the designer offered women affordable options to style with her casual looks.

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coco chanel jersey

Menswear-inspired tailoring

When it came to women’s silhouettes, Chanel broke the 1920s rules. Inspired by the men in her life (specifically Arthur ‘Boy’ Capel), the designer introduced comfortable and casual clothing made by jersey fabric for the everyday woman.

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coco chanel little black dress

The little black dress

Although Chanel technically didn’t invent the little black dress, she did skyrocket its status from being mourning-only attire to every girl’s go-to item for any event.

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coco chanel camellia flower

Camellia

Falling in love with the camellia flower after receiving them as a gift, Chanel famously pinned it to her clothes and in her hair. It has since been a symbol of the designer house.

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