"Coco" Chanel was born on August 19th, 1883. She was a Parisian and was born in a poorhouse; a facility for needy people. Because of her mother's death and her father going away to raise money for his children, Chanel grew up in an orphanage for seven years. While working at a tailor shop, she met a famous French millionaire Etienne Balsan, who showered her with dresses and diamonds. Coco Chanel started designing hats as a hobby, which later on became more interesting to her. In 1913, she opened her first shop. In the heart of Paris, later on, it had to be shut down and Chanel was to give up her property. She met another former friend of Balsan's and fell in love with him. With his help, she started a shop once more.
Coco Chanel's designs were famous for its comfortableness. She came out with Chanel No. 5 in 1921; it was her first fragrance. Sadly, Coco Chanel died in her suite in Paris in 1971.
Coco Chanel is my fashion idol and because of her perseverance and love for fashion, I think she if a great role model for many budding fashion designers out there!

Amour,
S
thank you to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coco_Chanel