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Chanel 1950s Fashion  

Coco Chanel is one of the most well known fashion designers of all time. Her designs broke many barriers, and her influence on style changed the fashion industry. After World War ll Chanel reopened her couture house to a more successful fashion revolution. There were many set trends in the 1950s. One of them being corseted waists. Chanel however, did not express trends into her designs. By favoring materials with natural elasticity, Chanel was free to simplify the lines of her designs for structural as well as ornamental ends. Chanel’s approach to fashion was quite unlike other major designers at the time. Several people embraced her the logic to her designs, but the French and English were critical of what they perceived as an Imitation of 1920s and 1930s unflattering body silhouettes. Chanel’s unwillingness to feed into the criticism and trends is what set Chanel’s design legacy. Her designs in the 1950s quickly took an iconic status. In 1954 “the Chanel suit” was introduced. The Chanel suit is a slim tweed number with contrasting bound edges that aim to offer an elegant but looser alternative the the cinched waists. In 1955 Chanel cams out with the 2.55 bag. The 2.55 bag was a quilted handbag combining leather with a gold chain. Chanel invents a new style of shoulder strap that is strong and light, and that also allows a Woman’s hand to be free. In 1957 Chanel created the iconic two-tone sling back shoes. It is a beige shoe with a contrasting black toe cap. This style creates a unique flattering effect. It gives the illusion of a short foot while lengthening the leg at the same time. This iconic power has continued in Chanel’s designs to this day.

Chanel 1950s Fashion Critics

1954 was an iconic year for Chanel. That year was Chanel’s comeback after the reopening of her couture house. Many traveled to Paris France for Chanel’s comeback fashion show. Seats filled up instantly. People sat on the floor and stairs. The first model to walk out on the runway was wearing a plain navy suit with a box jacket, white blouse, and a bow tie. This design, and the ones after disappointed onlookers. Following Chanel’s show, newspapers called her fashions outdated, however Chanel’s new designs sold well. The answer to this confusion comes to the surprise that many American women actually enjoyed Chanel’s new designs, despite the negative reviews. This goes back to the societal role of American women. After the war, women were expected to leave the workforce and enter the domestic housewife role. Women were expected to increase their sexual sense into the family. Many returned reluctantly to those roles. Coco Chanel was aware of the trend of cinched waits and figure flattering silhouettes. She followed the opposite. Chanel’s 1950s fashions provided an outlet for women rebelling against those societal norms. Chanel’s designs allowed them to feel liberated from the constraints and reject the 1950s common trends. Chanel’s 1950s designs were so criticized by others because it resembled previous 1920s and 1930s designs. Before and during the First World War, the look for women were simple and structured. Chanel however have her explanation to her designs and based her ideas off of the idea that women did not want to wear tight fitted clothing, but rather blend a style of chic and simple. This lead to her iconic designs.