Enlarge

Possibly the chicest women ever. Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, re-wrote the book on fashion. She ripped the linings out of jackets, ran them up in jersey (back then considered a 'poor' fabric) and teamed them with slim-fitting skirts - not quite Mary Quant minis but shorter than anything before. Or boyish trousers. She believed women could be comfortable and elegant if they would only keep it simple. Many thought Coco was a bit 'loco' because she only wore black or navy, a string of pearls, red lipstick and a cloche hat pulled down over her bobbed hairdo. She proved critics wrong, pooling her talents as a seamstress and distilling her philosophy into the first global fashion brand responsible for a string of firsts including the little black dress (1926) and mass produced perfume (Chanel No 5 in 1921). Next year two movies are due out based on her rags to riches life. One will star Audrey Tautou the other Demi Moore. Who do we feel is more Coco?

By Julia Robson 

What's it like to play a fashion icon? Watch our Audrey Tautou interview

Audrey Tautou wows at the Coco Before Chanel premiere. See more...

Tell us your Coco Before Chanel review

See why Audrey Tautou is a celebrity beauty icon