Chanel

Gabrielle Bonheur "Coco" Chanel, the driving force behind a dramatic change in women’s apparel following World War I, was born in France in 1883.

Chanel is a renowned French fashion house founded in 1909 by Coco Chanel. It is famous for its timeless designs, including the iconic Chanel 2.55 handbag and classic tweed suits.

Chanel is a French luxury fashion house founded by Coco Chanel in 1910. It is known for its timeless and elegant designs, particularly the little black dress and Chanel No. 5 perfume.

In 1913, with the help of a male admirer providing financial assistance and social connections, Coco Chanel opened her first shop in Paris. The shop sold hats and a limited line of garments, quickly gaining a dedicated clientele and making her practical sportswear a great success.

During the early years of her design career, Chanel purchased jersey fabric primarily for its low cost. Despite her precarious financial situation, the fabric's qualities led her to continue using it long after her business became profitable. Jersey's drape and suitability for Chanel's simple, practical designs made it a key element in her creations.

In 1915, Coco Chanel opened her very first Couture House in Biarritz, France, marking a significant milestone in the expansion of the House of Chanel. This move further solidified Chanel's influence in the fashion industry.

In 1917, Harper's Bazaar magazine reported that the garments of La Maison Chanel were highly sought after, being 'on the list of every buyer' for the clothing factories of Europe. This recognition further established Chanel as a prominent fashion brand.

In 1919, at the age of thirty-two, Chanel relocated her couture house in Paris to 31 rue Cambon, which continues to be the center of operations for the House of Chanel today.

Chanel was known to have a romantic relationship with the German diplomat, Baron Hans Günther von Dincklage during the Nazi occupation of France. After the war, she was interrogated about this relationship and was acquitted of being a collaborator due to intervention by Winston Churchill.

In 1923, Coco Chanel explained the success of her clothes to Harper's Bazaar magazine, emphasizing that design simplicity is the essence of true elegance.

In 1924, Coco Chanel hired an attorney to renegotiate the partnership she entered with the Parfums Chanel company, but the negotiations failed, and the partnership-percentages remained unchanged.

Chanel received a specially designed dome-shaped handbag in 1925, which was later mass-produced for the public in 1934. Originally named the 'Squire' and later renamed as the 'Alma' in 1955, it was refashioned for everyday practicality and sleeker design.

Coco Chanel introduced the Chanel Maltese Cross Cuff around 1930, which was a design inspired by the star of the Knights of Malta. It featured multi-color semiprecious stones and was mounted on a mismatched pair of white enamel bracelets.

Chanel founded 'Bijoux de Diamants' at her Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris mansion in November 1932. The company later created a special collection to celebrate Diamants' 80th anniversary in 2012.

By 1937, the House of Chanel had expanded the range of its clothes to include more women and presented ready-to-wear clothes designed for the petite woman, solidifying its influence in the fashion industry.

Chanel closed the doors of her salon in 1939 when France declared war on Germany, and other couturiers left the country.

In late 1943, there was a plan for Chanel to carry an SS peace overture to Winston Churchill to end the war, but this plan did not materialize.

Following the end of the hostilities and resolution of some personal difficulties, Chanel found she could not idly stand by and observe the early success of Christian Dior, whose 'New Look' prevailed in the postwar period.

In 1947, Christian Dior introduced the 'New Look' which featured nipped-in wasp waists, full skirts, and a plentiful breast, marking a significant departure from war-era fashions. Chanel began to incorporate ideas of the 'New Look' into her designs, reflecting a shift in fashion trends.

Chanel debuted her comeback collection of couture in 1953, which was not initially a critical success. However, within three seasons, she gained newfound respect by updating her classic looks and reworking the classic tweed designs.

In 1955, Chanel unveiled the iconic 2.55 handbag, the first popular yet elegant shoulder bag designed for women on the go, with both hands free.

The iconic 1954 Chanel jacket was presented on a model during the 1957 Spring/Summer show.

Coco Chanel died on 10 January 1971, at the age of 87.

Alain Wertheimer assumed leadership of Chanel in 1974 and successfully revitalized the brand. Under his guidance, the first non-couture launch of Chanel took place in 1978, marking the beginning of worldwide distribution of the brand's accessories and ready-to-wear.

On December 2, 1978, Coco Chanel’s personal collection of clothes, costume jewellery and other accessories was auctioned off at Christie’s. The audience filled three rooms, and many honoured the late designer by wearing her creations.

In 1983, Karl Lagerfeld took over as chief designer for Chanel, propelling the brand into the future and creating a modern brand for a modern audience by incorporating signature Chanel fabrics and detailing like tweed, gold, and chains.

In 1984, Karl Lagerfeld also took charge of the ready-to-wear line for Chanel, continuing the brand's evolution under his leadership.

In 1986, the House of Chanel struck a deal with watchmakers, leading to the debut of the first Chanel watch.

The Chanel wristwatch division was established in 1987. It presented the Matelassé design in 1995 and introduced the successful Chanel J12 line of unisex style wristwatches made of ceramic materials in 2000.

Lagerfeld introduced men's T-shirts and briefs into his designs, showcasing his innovative approach to fashion while honoring Chanel's legacy.

In 1994, Chanel had a net profit equivalent to €67 million on the sale of €570 million in ready-to-wear clothes, making it the most profitable French fashion house at the time.

In 1994, Chanel introduced the collectible Métiers d’Art handbags, the Chanel Boy Bag, the Chanel Deauville tote, and the Chanel crossbody Gabrielle bag, along with its iconic double-C logo, revolutionizing the fashion industry.

Chanel launched the perfumes Allure in 1996 and Allure Homme in 1998. The swimwear label Eres was also purchased in 1996.

The House of Chanel launched its first skin care line, Précision, in 1999.

In 2000, Chanel launched the first unisex watch, the J12.

In 2008, Chanel S.A. and Audemars Piguet developed the ceramic Chanel AP-3125 clockwork, which is exclusive to the House of Chanel.

Fondation Chanel, established in 2011, focuses on philanthropic initiatives such as promoting healthcare advocacy, addressing gender-based violence disparities, and empowering economic agency, reflecting Chanel's commitment to social responsibility.

In 2015 Lagerfeld won the British Fashion Award for Outstanding Achievement, and he was the subject of a retrospective exhibition, “Karl Lagerfeld: Modemethode,” at the Bundeskunsthalle in Bonn, Germany.

In December 2018, Chanel announced the decision to ban fur and exotic skins from its collections, a move that received praise and set an example for other designer brands to follow.

In February 2019, Karl Lagerfeld passed away at the age of 85, marking the end of an era for Chanel and the fashion industry.

On February 18, 2019, Karl Lagerfeld passed away due to complications from pancreatic cancer. Chanel and Fendi held a joint memorial to honor his legacy.