Chanel, Gabrielle Bonheur: (1883-1971), French couturiere who was famous for the simple, elegant "Chanel look" and who, more than any other fashion designer, defined the standards of modern dress for women. Chanel was born on Aug. 19, 1883, in Saumur, Maine-et-Loire, France. In 1914 she went to Paris and, with a sister, opened a small hat shop. In the 1920s "Coco" Chanel became recognized for a black wool jersey dress ("the little black dress"), made of unfashionable material hitherto used for maids' uniforms; unadorned silhouettes, often set off with lavish costume jewelry; and distinctly feminine adaptation
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