Coco Chanel was a French fashion designer and founder of the Chanel brand. She was born in 1883 in Saumur, France and grew up in an orphanage after her mother died and father abandoned the family. As a young woman, she worked in a tailor shop and began a career in fashion, opening her first hat shop in 1908. Some of Chanel's most iconic and influential designs include the Chanel suit, the little black dress, the Chanel No. 5 perfume, and the Chanel 2.55 handbag. To this day, Chanel remains a leading global luxury brand known for its fashion, accessories, and business success led by creative director Karl Lagerfeld.