“Fashion fades, only style remains the same.”
- August 19, 1883 – January 10, 1971
- Born in France
- Designer, businesswoman
- Founded the Chanel brand and advocated modern and simple fashion, especially popularizing the “Chanel suit” and “little black dress,” and contributing to the liberation of women.
Quote
“Fashion fades, only style remains the same.”
Explanation
In this iconic statement, Coco Chanel draws a distinction between fashion, which is ever-changing and often driven by temporary trends, and style, which is enduring and personal. Chanel believed that while fashion might reflect the moment and the cultural climate of a particular time, style is something more timeless and individual. Style is not about following the latest trends or wearing what is in vogue, but about cultivating a sense of personal expression that remains consistent, regardless of what is fashionable at the moment. For Chanel, style was about confidence, simplicity, and authenticity—qualities that don’t fade with the passing of seasons.
Chanel herself was a master of this idea, creating a timeless aesthetic that transcended the fluctuating trends of her time. She famously introduced pieces like the little black dress and the Chanel suit, which became symbols of elegance and sophistication not because they were trendy, but because they embodied a classic sense of refined taste that would remain relevant for generations. Chanel was not interested in fleeting fashions; instead, she sought to design clothes that made women feel empowered and self-assured, something that would outlast the cycles of seasonal trends.
In today’s world, this quote resonates as a call to embrace one’s own sense of style rather than constantly chasing after the latest fashion. While the fashion industry is driven by seasonal changes, celebrity influences, and market trends, true style is about being confident in what you wear and how you present yourself, irrespective of what is currently fashionable. Chanel’s words encourage us to focus on quality, timelessness, and the authenticity of personal expression, recognizing that style, unlike fashion, does not come and go with the trends. Instead, it is an enduring reflection of who we are and how we choose to present ourselves to the world.
