Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel was a pioneering French fashion designer born in 1883. She began her career as a singer in a cabaret, which is how she acquired the nickname "Coco." In the early 1900s, she began designing hats in her spare time and went on to open her first shop in 1913. Chanel revolutionized women's fashion by introducing simpler, more practical styles. Some of her most famous designs included the little black dress and the Chanel suit. She remained an influential figure in the industry until her retirement in 1939. Upon her death in 1971 at age 88, Chanel had established itself as one of the top luxury brands in the world.