Gabrielle Dorziat

Gabrielle Dorziat was a French stage and film actress. Dorziat was a fashion trend setter in Paris and helped popularize the designs of Coco Chanel. The Thtre GabrielleDorziat in pernay, France is named for her.

She was born in 1880. Dorziat made her stage dbut in 1898 at the Thtre Royal du Parc in Brussels. She moved to Paris and appeared in Alfred Capus La Bourse ou la vie , but it was her performance as Thrse Herbault in Chane anglaise that brought her to public attention. She became known for her offstage life as well, becoming romantically involved with actors Lucien Guitry and Louis Jouvet. She had close friendships with Jean Cocteau, Jean Giraudoux, Coco Chanel, Paul Bourget and Henri Bernstein. During World War I Dorziat left France to tour the United States where she raised money for war refugees. After the war she toured Canada, South America and the rest of Europe.

Source: Wikipedia