Passion: Rags to Riches

Born in 1883 and alone in 1895,
Her mother passing away from tuberculosis when she was only 12, while her father was forced to leave his children to find work, left Coco in an orphanage of the Catholic monastery of Aubazine. During this time Coco began to learn the trade of a seamstress. Once Coco had turned 18 years of age she left the orphanage and began to work as a local tailor. While working at the tailor shop she met and soon had an affair with French playboy and millionaire Etienne Balsan who introduced her to the "rich life". While living with Balsan, Coco begun designing hats and quickly found that fashion was her passion and that she would not allow anyone to come between her and her mission. After leaving Balsan to pursue her passion she quickly opened up her very first shop selling her hats and fashion creations in Paris, but it wasn't long until she was forced to go out of business and asked to surrender her properties . Coco was not discouraged, this event only made her fight harder.

Soon she would meet up with Etienne Balsan's best friend Arthur "Boy" Capel, who she soon fell in love with. With his assistance Coco was able to open a second shop in France. It wasnt long until French actresses began wearing her hats which helped to establish her reputation. Coco went on to become a fashion icon and create an empire that has grossed over 4.5 Billion dollars in business. All in the name of her Passion.

"How many cares one loses when one decides not to be something but to be someone". - Coco Chanel

Gabrielle Bonheur "Coco" Chanel's Passion Has Been Identified