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It was at the tailor shop where she met and soon began an affair with the English playboy Étienne Balsan. While living with Balsan, Coco began designing hats as a hobby. The hats immediately caught the attention of the female Parisian élite, and provided Coco with a path toward earning financial independence for herself. With the aid of Balsan and another rich lover Arthur "Boy" Capel (d. 21 December 1919 in a motor accident), Coco was able to acquire the property and financial backing to open her own millinery shop, in 1909, called ‘Chanel Modes’, at 31 rue Cambon in Paris. Her hats were worn by celebrated French actresses, which helped to establish her reputation. Chanel introduced in 1913 women’s sportswear at her new boutique in Deauville, France, in the Rue Gounaut-Biron; Marthe, Countess de Gounaut-Biron, (daughter of American diplomat John George Alexander Leishman) was Chanel's first aristocratic client.

Later in life, Coco Chanel concocted an elaborate false history for her humble beginnings. She would steadfastly claim that when her mother died, her father sailed for America and she was sent to live with two cold-hearted spinster aunts. She even claimed to have been born in 1893 as opposed to 1883, and that her mother had died when Coco was 6, instead of twelve. She never married. All this was done in order to diminish the stigma that poverty and orphanhood bestowed upon unfortunates in nineteenth century France.

The Chanel Empire
The influential Chanel suit, launched in 1923, it was an elegant suit comprising a knee-length skirt and trim, boxy jacket, traditionally made of woven wool with black trim and gold buttons and worn with large costume-pearl necklaces. Coco Chanel also popularized the little black dress, whose blank-slate versatility allowed it to be worn for day and evening, depending on how it was accessorized. Although unassuming black dresses existed before Chanel, the ones she designed were considered the haute couture standard.[citation needed] In 1923, she told Harper's Bazaar that "simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance." Chanel always kept the clothing she designed simple and comfortable. She took what were considered poor fabrics like jersey and upgraded them.

Later Years
For more than 30 years, Gabrielle Chanel made the Hôtel Ritz Paris her home, even during the Nazi occupation of Paris. During that time she was criticized for having an affair with Hans Gunther von Dincklage, a German officer who arranged for her to remain in the hotel. She also maintained an apartment above her Rue Cambon couture house and built Villa La Pausa in the town of Roquebrune on the French Riviera. However, she spent her later years in Paris, France (Hotel Ritz Paris) where she was buried. Her tombstone is carved with stone lion heads representing her birth sign, Leo.

Chanel handbags and accessories are not easy to find online. Recently, About.com recognized eFashionHouse.com as the top of three online retailers selling Chanel. Click here for more information about the green quilted messenger bag shown below.

Chanel designer handbags are hotter than ever! Did Coco ever realize the impact she would make on fashion?

The Chanel handbag shown above is constructed of a very dark green lamb leather. It has a double turn lock closure on the front flap. It is a hand held bag, or can be carried as shown messenger bag style. This designer purse is absolutlely one of the hottest styles and colors Chanel released this season. Very dark green quilted lamb leather with CC Chanel logo embossed on two strap inserts. See photos. Chanel handbag measures about 9 x 3.25 x 6 inches. The Chanel purse has two straps. The longer strap is leather and is adjustable up to about 52 inches. Chanel added the signature chain strap as a handle and it is about 10 inches long. The Chanel chain is woven with the same green leather. Chanel's hardware for this item is silver. The enterior if fully lined and there's two extra pockets. The double turn lock closures securely keep the front flap design closed. This is absolutely the most gorgeous bag. LAST ONE. Chanel items are priced as marked. Click here for more information about the green leather Chanel designer handbag shown above.

Labels: CC logo, chanel, chanel handbag, coco chanel, designer handbags, designer purse