Coco Chanel's Fashion as Art

Thirty-four years after her death, Coco Chanel is still a fashion icon and still a fascinating woman of history. She influenced women's style from the Roaring Twenties and her work is still an influence. Her signature perfume, Chanel No. 5, remains a best-seller worldwide.

Her personal story is also fascinating -- a woman who succeeded in the fashion world, was a successful businesswoman, and modeled a new freedom for women. On May 4, 2005, an exhibit focusing on Chanel designs -- including Coco Chanel's designs and those of Karl Lagerfeld, the current designer for Chanel -- opens at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The exhibit itself has been the matter of some controversy. Among the issues: the exhibit includes nothing about the life of Coco Chanel.

• Coco Chanel Biography
• Coco Chanel Quotes
• Chanel's Allure Permeates The Met - From About.com's Guide to Art History
• A Peek Into Coco's Closet - The New York Times > Fashion & Style > Sunday Styles > May 1, 2005 (free registration may be required)
• Coco's Legacy - Interior Design > May 2, 2005