The Uses Of Coco Chanel And The 2.55 Handbags

The second picture is one of her most popular handbag. It is a modern classic handbag which she names after her parents Buddy and Reva Robinson. It is a mini Tote bag which is one of her highest quality handbag because it is scratch resistant leather. This handbag has a drop in zipper with a leather puller, it has tubular handles, and it is adjustable so you can turn it into a cross-body.

Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, known to most as Coco Chanel, “Arguably the most influential fashion designer of all time, Coco Chanel revolutionised the way women wore clothes and paved a new way for the fashion brand, capitalising on the changing times she was living in and her status as a fashion icon”(Dunne). Her clothing designs, from the use of jersey to the Chanel suit demonstrate her rebellious to the common norm. Her impact changed the fashion industry completely to something once dominated by tight fitting, near strangulation attire to a looser and comfortable fit suitable for every occasion. Everything in a clothing department store has her fingerprints, look and one can see T-shirt made from jersey, bags with the patted pattern and chain shoulder, garments of the color black, all originating from Channel’s fashion empire.The revolutionary idea of making apparel fit for what a woman wanted, in the changing world of the 1920s is Channel’s most memorable accomplishment.Despite many people pinpointing Chanel’s legacy to her personal life, it was actually her timeless designs and their influence on women’s historical apparel that created a long lasting legacy that focused on women looking and feeling empowered.

Chanel is one of the most prominent fashion brands, their cosmetic line is one that follows the brands positioning in the market, due to this it associated with being high end and luxury. This positioning has been influenced by the associations that consumers make between the brand and the founder Coco Chanel as well as drawing associations from haute-couture fashion as well as aligning the brand with the likes of the fashion scene (Chanel 2013). This brand has been positioned to exude luxury, perfection and quality and with associated high prices and simplistic but sophisticated packaging this has enabled the brand to be positioned as a high-end luxury brand (Chanel 2013).

B. Coco Chanel’s “The Little Black dress” is thought to be element to the world of women’s fashion.

Chanel revolutionized the perfume and jewelry industry. Chanel created Chanel Number Five in 1924. By 1925 Chanel perfume was also being distributed on a worldwide scale. Chanel’s perfumes bring a significant percent of a profit for the company, more than its sales in other in other areas combined. Today Chanel Number Five sells a bottle every day thirty seconds. Costume jewelry was another item that became popular due to Chanel’s influence in the early 1920’s. She was the first designer to gain the social acceptability of wearing fake jewels. She said, “Costume jewelry is not made to give women an aura of wealth but to make them beautiful” (Picardie 76). Her jewelry and perfume lines are still best sellers in the jewelry and perfume market.

The 1950s clothing contributed so much to modern-day fashion. The prettier the clothes are, the more beautiful the person is. The main theme for beauty in the 1950s was femininity and refinement. During the 1950s, the runway became an important way of showing fashion. The younger buyers bought the "beat look" with flat pedal pusher shoes and the pumpkin skirt. This shows that younger people in the 1950s bought these types of clothes. Chanel made a come back in the 1950s with her cardigan jacket suits. Chanel is still worn today in the world. Chanel makes the gilt chain quilted leather handbag in 1957. Also, she made the

This is best illustrated in her ability to make fashion timeless” (“Six of America’s Leading Designers Create One-Of-A-Kind Gowns Inspired by Grace, Princess of Monaco to Celebrate her Iconic Style and Legacy to the Fashion World 1). People from all around the world still copy her looks today because they never go out of style. Six of America’s top designers are taking an iconic outfit and creating a one of a kind look all from inspiration from her looks in honor of her legacy. Grace Kelly obtained a classic college girl style; she wore basic pieces but made sure they all fit perfectly “her style was defined mostly by what she didn’t wear-- ‘too blatant curves, too-tight dresses, too-lavish furs, or jewelry noteworthy only for its abundance” (Ball 1). Her simple pieces were out of the ordinary at this time; the fact that she was a Hollywood it-girl and Princess of Monaco who did not wear outrageous articles of clothing made her different-and the public loved it. Furthermore, the press ate up everything about her, when she wore something plain and simple to meet the first lady, the world could not get enough of her simple style. She single handedly changed the fashion trends of her era “...her rigorous fashion restraint frequently sent the newsprint world into a tizzy. When she wore a plain green dress to the white house in 1961, it was headline news, the headline being THE GODDESSES MEET” (Ball 1). Kelly inspired others because her elegance and poise radiated through her style. Her signature white gloves and oversized saucer hat made her modest and classic. One of Kelly’s largest fashion accomplishments is when one of the most well known designers in the world-Hermes-named a bag after her. Her iconic large bag she used to conceal her baby bump was named the ‘Kelly’. Besides from her stunning appearance Grace

Gucci was founded in 1921 by Guccio Gucci. In 1938, Gucci expanded and a boutique was opened in Rome. Guccio was responsible for designing many of the company's products. In 1947, Gucci introduced the Bamboo handle handbag, which is still a company mainstay. During the 1950s, Gucci also developed the trademark striped webbing, which was derived from the saddle girth, and the suede moccasin with a metal horsebit. The Gucci group really said it all, Tom Ford, creative director and Domenico de sole, president and CEO, stood side by side facing the camera with eyes of steel. These two men had, in the first six months of 1999, been the centerpiece of one of most higly contested hostile takeover battles ever seen on the Europian

Coco Chanel, born Gabrielle Bonhuer Chanel, on August 19, 1883 in Saumur, France was an amazing woman who redefined fashion as we know it today. She was a clothing designer who revolutionized the fashion industry with her suits, little black dresses, and avant garde flare. Because of this quickly in her young life she became well know, and rose to be the fashion icon that she is today. From the timeless designs that are still popular to this day, and the sophisticated outfits that can be paired with great accessories Chanel has done it all. When it comes down to it though it was Coco Chanel’s philosophy that “luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it’s not luxury” that lead to her success. (“Coco Chanel”)

Vera Bradley should keep in mind that their specialization is travel bags and therefore should remain strong in that area since that is what actually they are known for and the reason why they created the business. The addition of handbags was not totally a bad idea, but it is not Vera Bradley’s strength. The market is full of competitors who are better known with higher customer loyalty such as Kate Spade, Michael Kors and Coach. However, Vera Bradley’s products are not yet as globally competitive as these other companies already mentioned and therefore it is hard to compare and compete with them.

“Quality items that stand the test of time – it is this concept of sustainability, symbolized by a timeless handbag that you wear again and again, and can pass on, that I am always thinking of when I design.” Says Frida Gianni

It wasn’t until Chanel started to create jackets which not only had the purpose of being worn closed, she created jackets that looked good opened, closed or hanging over the shoulders. She emphasized on this style by making blouses to serve the complete outfit. She was also the creator of the “Little Black Dress”, which was a relatively simple black dress made by elegant materials such as lace, tulle, weightless silk and even embroidery in a new, more tailored way. Chanel is today world known for its high quality designs and has women of the 21th century dependent on its classical style (Rennolds Milbank 120-121).

Coco Chanel, born on August 19, 1883 in Saumur, France, influenced 1920s fashion greatly through her trademark pieces such as “little black dress” and jersey suits and many more. These key fashion pieces are still very popular in our current day time in women’s fashion. Before Chanel became well known, most women would wear corsets that would leave them feeling stiff to give them more of a hour glass look as well as skirts with long hems that would reach the floor. Chanel went past the social boundaries of most women, and created different and diverse pieces. She disregarded societies idea of

Figure 1 created by Paul Poiret, and figure 2 created by Coco Channel were both designs based on art deco style. Both of these designers came about in the early 20th century as the role of woman in society was changing. In figure 1 Poiret created “ The Fancy Dress costume” in France for his “The One Thousand and Second Night” party in 1911. This resplendent design included his signature Lampshade tunic and harem pants as well as a jeweled buster using metal, silk, and cotton. Most of this design was created with sea foam green silk gauze, which then was interwoven with silver and blue thread, and then turquoise, pink, and peach beading that was symmetrically placed. Both designers diverged from the confining and tight-fitting corsets and aimed to create comfortable yet elegant clothing that mirrored the free and self-sufficient attitudes rising in woman. Both of the designers’ designs have dropped waste lines. However, Poiret’s radical design uses opulent and luxurious fabric and materials and is focused on the decorative aspect. His design is created to be “one-of-a-kind” and uses many vibrant colors, rich embellishments, and embroideries. Poiret resisted the practicality, rationalization, and stylistic simplification that Chanel adapted to create. In figure 2

Coach is the manufacturer of a collection of handcrafted leather goods that are considered high in quality and unique in craftsmanship. Coach strives on their continued high standards that are required for the materials and workmanship that go into their handbags. The Coach brand is attributed their reputation and is considered one of the leading high-end handbag provider. The Coach brand is considered a “unique combination of their original American attitude and design, their heritage of fine leather goods and custom fabrics, their superior product quality and durability and commitment to customer service” (Coach Company Profile, n.d.). Coach has materialized as one of America's distinguished designers and manufacturer of fine handbags for women. The Coach brand has been developed over time from the signature styles and unique character that the handbags posses. (Corkindale, 2008).