Chanel

About Chanel

Founded in 1910 by Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel in Paris, Chanel has been a pioneer in redefining women’s fashion. With her revolutionary approach, Coco liberated women from the rigid corsets of the 19th century, introducing a style that was chic, comfortable, and timeless.

Today, Chanel is more than just a luxury brand—it is a symbol of freedom, elegance, and enduring sophistication.

The Founder: Coco Chanel

Born in 1883, Gabrielle Chanel grew up in poverty and spent part of her childhood in a convent orphanage. The strict minimalism of convent life later shaped her design philosophy.

She first worked as a cabaret singer, where she earned the nickname “Coco,” before shifting her focus to millinery and eventually founding her own fashion house.

Her words continue to inspire the fashion world:

• “I don’t do fashion, I am fashion.”

• “A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.”

• “Luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury.”

Iconic Creations and Their Stories

Chanel 2.55 Handbag (1955)

Coco Chanel was tired of handbags that occupied women’s hands. In February 1955, she launched the 2.55 handbag, named after its release date. With its quilted leather, chain strap, and practical compartments, it gave women unprecedented freedom.

Inside, a small hidden pocket was designed—rumored to hold Coco’s love letters. Today, the 2.55 remains one of the most desirable bags in luxury fashion.

Chanel No. 5 (1921)

Coco’s vision for her first perfume was clear: “I want a fragrance that smells like a woman, not a flower.”

Working with master perfumer Ernest Beaux, she selected the fifth sample, giving the perfume its name. Chanel No. 5 became the first abstract fragrance, a complex blend rather than a single floral note.

It became immortal when Marilyn Monroe famously confessed: “I wear nothing but a few drops of Chanel No. 5 to bed.”

The Tweed Suit

Introduced in the 1920s, Chanel’s tweed skirt suit borrowed elements from men’s tailoring but reimagined them for women. It represented strength, comfort, and elegance—a radical innovation at the time.

The suit became a staple for actresses, royalty, and politicians, and remains a key symbol of Chanel’s heritage.

Chanel Beauty Line (1924)

In 1924, Chanel entered the cosmetics world with a line of luxurious lipsticks and powders. The iconic red lipstick became a weapon of confidence for women in the 1930s and 40s.

In 2024, Chanel celebrated the centennial of its beauty line with the release of “Chanel. The Allure of Makeup”, a book capturing a century of innovation in makeup and beauty.