- Founded In: 1910
- Founders: Chanel Volpel, Pierre Wertheimer
- Headquarters: London, UK
- Brand Philosophy: "To be the Ultimate House of Luxury, defining style and creating desire, now and forever"
- Current Creative Director: Matthieu Blazy
- Current CEO: Leena Nair
- Known For: Chanel is known for its signature bouclé tweed suits, first introduced in 1954, featuring structured shoulders and a collarless jacket with gold buttons. The 2.55 handbag, launched in February 1955, introduced the first-ever quilted leather design with a chain strap, revolutionizing luxury accessories. The brand’s fragrance Chanel No. 5, created in 1921 with a complex aldehyde formula, remains one of the best-selling perfumes in history.
More than just a brand, Chanel is a legacy that’s been shaking up fashion for over a century. When Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel opened her first boutique in 1909, she didn’t just sell clothes; she set women free. Out went the corsets, and in came fluid jersey suits and easy dresses that let women move, breathe, and live. Dressing like the boys never looked so chic.
The classics she introduced—the little black dress, quilted bags, two-tone shoes, layers of pearls—aren’t just timeless; they’re eternally cool. And let’s not forget Chanel No. 5, a fragrance that’s become a rite of passage.
After Coco’s passing in 1971, the brand drifted until Karl Lagerfeld took the helm in 1983. With his sharp wit and even sharper designs, he didn’t just revive Chanel; he reimagined it. Karl played with the house codes, flipping them, twisting them, making them fresh all over again. He turned the runway into a storytelling canvas, each show more sensational than the last.
In 2019, the baton passed to Virginie Viard, Karl’s right hand for over 30 years. She’s been quietly revolutionizing the brand, blending that classic Chanel DNA with a modern sensibility. Under her watch, the house announced it would stop using fur and exotic skins—a bold move toward a more sustainable future.
Chanel’s not just about fashion; it’s about craftsmanship. By bringing artisan workshops like Lesage into the fold, they’re preserving the art of embroidery and fine detailing for generations to come.
In a world that’s always racing ahead, Chanel stays ahead by honoring where it came from while daring to go somewhere new. As Coco famously said, “Fashion fades; only style remains the same.” And Chanel’s style? It’s forever.
