How has Coco Chanel's beauty empire expanded throughout the century?

1. Chanel has made a huge impact on the fashion world today. Her designs are a trademark for a look of confidence and youth.

2. At the beginning of World War II Coco Chanel closed her line. She felt that it was not the right time for fashion. However, during this time Chanel was in a battle to get legal ownership and control over Parfums Chanel, which was her perfume line. Eventually the Wertheimers and Chanel made a deal and shared the profits.

3. Her mother died at 32 and her father abandoned her. Coco was alone with her three sisters at an orphanage. She was depressed but still had a curious imagination. She learned how to sew at a young age which introduced her into the world of fashion and clothing styles.

4. Coco Chanel revolutionized fashion and became an icon for women all around the world. Although she was born poverty, she built an empire and showed that anyone could do anything. She looked at corsets as restricting and how men wanted to dress us; she created suits for women, the little black dress, and even turned wearing one of her lovers jackets into a trend. She was one of the most important people of the century.