Coco Chanel was a French fashion designer who revolutionized women's fashion in the early 20th century. She designed simple, comfortable clothing that freed women from restrictive corsets and popularized casual styles like skirt suits and trousers. Chanel also launched a popular perfume called Chanel No. 5 and helped establish the modern image of an active, liberated woman through her designs and personal style. Her influence extended beyond fashion into hair, accessories, and perfumes, and she became a symbol for modern women in the 20th century.