Coco Chanel: How French designer Coco Chanel mainstreamed the 'little black dress' 9Style Little black dress Wikipedia 73 Coco Chanel Little Black Dress Photos & High Res Pictures Getty Images A century ago, Coco Chanel redefined fashion with one bold creation: the Little Black Dress!, What critics once called too plain became the very definition of elegance, versatility and power., Today, The first little black dress designed by Coco Chanel ushered in the long reign of a fashion staple.