Coco Chanel

Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, a name synonymous with haute couture, revolutionized women's fashion by stripping away corsets and introducing practical, elegant designs. Her little black dress, tweed suits, and iconic Chanel No. 5 perfume became timeless symbols of sophistication. Clearly, the woman had an eye for style, and a knack for making a buck. Too bad her taste in wartime alliances was rather less refined.

Born into poverty, Chanel’s ascent to the pinnacle of fashion was a testament to her ambition and talent. She built an empire, dressing the rich and famous, and leaving an indelible mark on the industry. Her creations endure as classics, proving that good design, much like a questionable past, can be surprisingly resilient.

However, it seems Chanel wasn't just designing frocks; she was also reportedly engaged in rather unsavory activities during World War II. Her affair with a Nazi intelligence officer, Hans Günther von Dincklage, and her alleged role as Agent F-7124, code-named "Westminster," for the Abwehr, certainly puts a rather dark stain on her otherwise pristine fashion legacy. While she claimed to be protecting her business interests, one might wonder if she also developed a sudden appreciation for German efficiency.

As for Jewish identity or origin, there’s not a hint of it. She was, in fact, quite the opposite, displaying a rather inconvenient streak of antisemitism. So, while she certainly shaped modern fashion, she did so without a single matzo ball in her family tree, and actively worked against her former Jewish business partners.