Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel inspires me.
The world knows this woman as Coco Chanel. But I do not admire her international label. I admire the courageous way Chanel created that label.
Raised in a French orphanage until age 17, Chanel experienced a childhood in stark contrast with her adult life. After leaving the orphanage, she entered the world of fashion as an amateur milliner, opening a small boutique on a busy Paris street. With fashion innovations redesigning the couture world, the "double C" logo became increasingly popular with European women. By age 33, Chanel was a financially independent business owner, an unlikely situation for a young woman living in World War II-era France. Despite fierce competition among designers, Chanel made a name for herself, a name that people still recognize across the globe.
Chanel's life demonstrates that hard work, talent, and determination can overcome a bleak beginning. She continued to make her mark on fashion and society for 70 years despite struggles in her professional and private lives.
At times, I doubt my own dreams of becoming a successful writer; the world of journalism is highly competitive. But if I develop the same motivation and passion for my work as Chanel did, I hope similar success will come my way. I look to Chanel as my example that it does not matter how you start -- what counts is the way you finish.
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