Coco

Thank you, Gabrielle, "Coco" Chanel. Thank you for re-inventing the modern woman. You were fighting an uphill battle when you introduced the little black dress in the 1920s. Black was for mourning; grieving. In a time when it was unheard of to don a hemline higher than your calfs, you called for change, for comfort. Your kind of lady did not want to be restricted. Your kind of woman had ideas, desired change and resisted fashion privation. You were looking forward.

The 20th Century- your century- we saw the most progression in women's fashion. In each decade there was something never seen before. Before you, yes there were variations in fashion- seeming to be the pattern du jor on the same length skirt- over and over and over... hairstyles came and went, leg of mutton sleeves versus Juliette, not so many options.

Oddly enough, now in the 21st century; it seems fashion houses have exhausted new designs. Not that it's a bad thing, styles now are just being recycled from previous times; added to, taken away from, re-formed. What is old is forever new again. There will always be your "little black dress," just more or less of it. Embellished or stripped down.

If it weren't for your vision, would the oppression of women still be going on? No, no, surely another heroine would have come along. But it was you. Instinctively, you had your finger on the cultural pulse of your time, you designed what women dreamed of. You are so much more than your label. So much more than a designer.