<Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td> This section does not cite any sources . Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources . Unsourced material may be challenged and removed . (March 2017) (Learn how and when to remove this template message) </Td> </Tr> <P> In the early 18th century, black was a color symbolic of romance and artistry . As Ann Demeulemeester said of it, "Black is poetic . How do you imagine a poet? In a bright yellow jacket? Probably not ." In the early 19th century, black was adopted by the romantics such as Byron, Shelly, and Keats, due to its melancholic aura . As the Victorian Era began, black transitions from a color of art to one of grief and mourning, or one of service people like maids . Women were expected to wear black for at least four years after the death of their husbands . </P> <P> In 1926 Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel published a picture of a short, simple black dress in American Vogue . It was calf - length, straight and decorated only by a few diagonal lines . Vogue called it "Chanel's Ford". Like the Model T, the little black dress was simple and accessible for women of all social classes . Vogue also said that the LBD would become "a sort of uniform for all women of taste". This, as well as other designs by the house of Chanel helped disassociate black with the uniform of mourning, and reinvent it as the uniform of the high - class, wealthy, and chic . As Coco herself proclaimed, "I imposed black; it's still going strong today, for black wipes out everything else around ." Chanel is accredited with the creation and popularization of the Little Black Dress, and rightfully so . This was in part due to the timing of her release of the dress, as it was affordable yet stylish in the Great Depression era . </P> <P> The little black dress continued to be popular through the Great Depression, predominantly through its economy and elegance, albeit with the line lengthened somewhat . Hollywood's influence on fashion in North America helped the little black dress' popularity, but for more practical reasons: as Technicolor films became more common, filmmakers relied on little black dresses because other colors looked distorted on screen and botched the coloring process . During World War II, the style continued in part due to widespread rationing of textiles and in part as a common uniform (accessorized for businesswear) for civilian women entering the workforce . </P>

Who came up with the little black dress
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