Coco Chanel was a famous French fashion designer born in 1883 in Saumur, France. She died in 1971 in Paris at age 87. Chanel founded the iconic Chanel brand and was known for her timeless designs like the little black dress and Chanel suit. As a designer in the 1920s, she created more relaxed, comfortable clothing for women unlike the restrictive styles of the time. Her simple yet elegant designs made her a revered style icon and she introduced her iconic Chanel No. 5 perfume. Chanel changed women's fashion by taking inspiration from masculine styles and materials to create sophisticated, chic looks. She had a profound influence on 1920s fashion in America.