Chanel
Coco Chanel
Founded 1910
About the Brand
Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel was a French fashion designer and businesswoman who founded the Chanel brand. She is credited with liberating women from the constraints of the "corseted silhouette" and popularizing a sporty, casual chic as the feminine standard of style. Chanel's influence on haute couture was such that she was the only person in the field to be named on Time magazine's 100 most influential people of the 20th century.
History
Chanel was founded in 1910 by Coco Chanel in Paris. Starting with a small hat shop, Chanel quickly expanded into clothing, revolutionizing women's fashion with her practical and elegant designs. The brand survived World War II and Chanel's temporary exile, returning to prominence in the 1950s. Today, Chanel remains one of the most prestigious luxury brands in the world.
Key Achievements
- Introduced the little black dress in 1926
- Created Chanel No. 5, the world's most famous perfume
- Pioneered the use of jersey fabric in high fashion
- Designed the iconic Chanel suit
- Introduced the Chanel 2.55 handbag in 1955
- Revolutionized costume jewelry with faux pearls
Iconic Pieces
Legacy
Coco Chanel's legacy extends far beyond fashion. She empowered women to dress for themselves, not for men. Her philosophy of "luxury must be comfortable, otherwise it is not luxury" continues to influence fashion today. The brand, now led by creative director Virginie Viard, maintains Chanel's timeless elegance while embracing modern innovation.