Born in Saumur in 1883, although he claimed that came to light ten years later, in Auvergne. The mother died in childbirth heavy. When Gabrielle was barely twelve, her four brothers and sisters left the father; the children were then in the care of relatives and spent some time at the shelter.
In 18 years, Gabriel settled seller in a clothing store, and in his spare time sang in a cabaret. Made songs Ko Ko Ri Ko and Qui qu'a vu Coco, thanks to which got its nickname — Coco. During one of these performances, Gabrielle noticed the officer Etienne Balzan[en] — she moved to live with him in Paris, but soon went to the English industrialist Arthur Capelo[en], known in the circle of friends named "Boy".
In 1910, Chanel opened a hat store within a year, he moved to the street Cambon, 31, opposite the hotel "Ritz", where he is to this day.
Chanel and her friend, Misia Sert was the last one called for Diaghilev before his death on 19 August 1929. They also paid for the funeral on the island of San Michele, as neither the deceased nor the former when it Lifar, was not in possession of the money.