10 amazing facts YOU did not know about CoCo Chanel. 1. Her real name is Gabrielle Chanel. Born Gabrielle Chanel, she became “Coco” after being given the nickname by soldiers in the audience while singing on stage 2. She was born poor. Coco Chanel became very rich and famous during her life, bu t her childhood was a humble one. She was the daughter of a peasant and a street vendor and was born in a poorhouse. 3. She was sent to an orphanage. After her mother died, she was sent to an orphanage in a convent, where she stayed until she was 18. It was here that Gabrielle learnt to embroider, iron and sew. 4. Hats, hats, hats. Coco Chanel started her fashion career by designing hats. With the help of one of her male admirers, she opened her first shop in Paris in 1913. As it became more popular, she started selling clothes as well. 5. L ittle Black Dress. In the 1920s she introduced the Little Black Dress to fashion. Int