Fashion designer Coco Chanel has been credited with developing the "modern woman." She once said, "I had rediscovered honesty, and in my own way, I made fashion honest." By loosening waistlines, shortening hemlines and embracing pants, Chanel redefined women's style. She was inspired by men's wear: shirts with clean collars, simple sweaters and loose belted jackets. She liberated women from constrictive clothing by making clothes that women could move in. Her designs were a symbol of the independent woman she was.

How she would become one of the most influential fashion icons of all time ?

Coco Chanel built her wardrobe on a few simple principles: black and white garments, simple and elegant dresses, fabulous shoes, and an overall polished look.

Chanel's design evolved over time to include more masculine elements, like military detailing, traditionally masculine colors, and materials such as leather and quilting.

These elements have since become iconic for the brand. In 1921, Chanel diversified her offerings by launching Chanel No. 5, a perfume that would become one of the most famous in the world.

Chanel also branched into jewelry, introducing a range dedicated to the diamond as a fashion accessory in 1932. In 1937, the brand expanded into a petite range.

At this point, she was the most famous and financially successful designer in the world. However, she faced competition from designers like Elsa Schiaparelli, which led to some decline in her influence in the fashion world.

She encouraged women to be stylish and take care of themselves but never to sacrifice comfort.

Elegance, simplicity, monochrome colours, and well-fitting clothes are what made her, and her brand stand out. That is also summed up in one of Coco Chanel’s popular fashion quotes “fashion changes, but style endures.”