• Fashion
Jul 14, 2012 4:20 PM EDT
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Bastille-Day Babes! 8 French Style Icons

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Coco Chanel, 1883-1971

It's hard to stress the revolutionary impact Coco Chanel had on fashion. Born Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, Coco broke free of her humble beginnings to liberate women’s clothing from the corseted and restrictive styles of Cleo de Merode’s time. In its place, Coco popularized a completely modern, unhindered style of dress that emphasized elegance, luxury, and simplicity. Or, as the master designer herself succinctly put it: “Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance.”

Photo: Pierluigi Praturlon/Rex USA

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