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Coco Chanel

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Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, know as, Coco Chanel, was born on the 19th of August, 1883 in Saumur, a small city in France. She was born in a poorhouse to traveling salesman Albert Chanel and Jeanne Devolle. She had two sisters, Julie and Antoinette, and three brothers, Alphonse, Lucien and Augustine. When Chanel was just twelve years old her mother died, leaving her father to care for the six children. He left a short time later, and for the next seven years, Coco was in the orphanage of the Catholic monastery of Aubazine. It was here that she learned the trade of a seamstress.
When Chanel turned seventeen the nuns helped her to find a local job as a seamstress. Chanel soon became bored and decided to pursue a life of excitement and stardom. She unexpectedly took off for the town of Moulins to pursue her career as a Cabaret singer. Unfortunately Chanel was not cut out for a life in theatre; however it was whilst singing that she adopted the name Coco. This nickname had been given to her by her audience for her songs “Ko Ko Ri Ko” and “Qui qu’a vu Coco”. Although Coco had not been able to make a life for herself as a cabaret singer it was a very worthwhile experience as it there that she met Etienne Balsan, who took a liking to the young aspiring singer. Chanel soon found herself as a mistress to Balsan and living a luxurious life. This was when the “Coco Chanel” we all know began to arise.
While Coco was living with Balsan, she began to design hats as a hobby. Her hats quickly caught the attention of many women. Her first client was a young female actress who was a friend of Balsan.

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