The Birth of Fashion's Capital

It all began in the 16th century when Anne Boleyn was recognized for adorning an alluring French-style hood that revealed her hair. Who knew that the French were known for their liberal outlook toward seductiveness so early on in history?

Fast forward to the 18th century, when Haute Couture - a division of fashion where premier custom-fitted clothing is made from expensive fabric and is meticulously sewn - emerged. Originally, the wealthy and important people told designers what type of clothing they wished to wear. A century later, Charles Worth (aka the founder of modern Haute Couture), an Englishman employed in Paris, presented his name on his garment labels. Worth changed the entire system of Haute Couture because not only did he start labeling his clothing, but he also fabricated his own ideas and exhibited them on live models. His new approach to fashion gave clients the ability to approve or condemn his creations. Worth's imagination resulted in a groundbreaking contribution to the fashion world; designers started to determine what was stylish.

One of Charles Worth's Haute Couture designs. This was certainly this mannequin's heyday! 

5 Fun Facts About Coco Chanel

From the book, Chanel Her Life by Justine Picardie
1. Chanel fabricated a network of secrets and lies about her past to hide the truth.
2. Her surname on her birth certificate was misspelled as Chasnel.
3. A mirrored staircase serves as the backbone of her house (which was located above her store) in Paris. The mirrors give off an inexplicable sensation because they reflect from all angles, so you are forced to look at yourself as you go up the infamous stairs. The staircase leads to the spot where Chanel watched her fashion shows, concealed from her audience.
4. (Hold on to your seats for this one) The double C of the Chanel logo does not stand for Coco Chanel (gasp!). However, it is an abbreviation of Chanel and Capel. Arthur Capel was one of Chanel's lovers, and he helped her set up the House of Chanel.
5. Chanel recounted that her legendary 'little black dress' originated in 1920 when she went to the Opera and observed many women wearing all different colored dresses that she was not a fan of. As the Jazz Age commenced, her ideology was that dressing in black symbolized power and liberty.

There's a lot more where that came from ;)

An Endless Ration of Fashion

I have always had a fervency towards fashion and how it has evolved throughout history. Its ever-changing attribute strengthens my mental appetite to zero in on the industry.

Paris, France is the metropolis of fashion. All of the trends and styles that are present in America originate from the "City of Love." Everyone in Paris dresses to impress, and would never be caught in a pair of tattered Uggs (unlike the Frisch female student body ;) Paris is the one place where one can dress as daringly as one wants and get away with it.

How exactly did Paris reach such a culmination in the fashion world and how has that high status been maintained for years? That is something for me to know and for you readers to find out soon! Having emerged as Paris' most renown hat-maker and fashion designer in the 1920's, Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel (aka Coco Chanel) is my fashion idol and I adore every creation she has ever designed. I am currently reading her biography, which will serve as the basis for my future posts because she was and still is a vital component to the realm of couture.

Because I covet fashion's striking transformations, I plan to study the notable styles of different decades of the past. I will be able to pinpoint the history of fashion and Paris as the fashion capital through Chanel's biography and additional sources. I am so thrilled to begin my research on an icon and the city that made her big.