Founded in 1910, Chanel started as a quaint Parisian boutique that eventually became one of the most coveted fashion houses in the world. Today, the Chanel name is associated with all things glamour and sophistication. What not many know of, however, was that the Chanel empire was born from the visionary mind, sewing skills, and fiery spirit of an impoverished orphaned girl.
In our comprehensive guide below, we trace the history of Chanel, its most iconic pieces, and how it became the revered name in fashion and beauty the whole world knows.
Table of Contents:
- History of Chanel
- Chanel Artistic Directors and Perfumers
- Most Iconic Chanel Pieces
- Most Iconic Chanel Beauty Products and Fragrances
- Filipino Celebrities Wearing Chanel
The History of Chanel
Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, better known as Coco, was born on August 19, 1883 in France. Raised in an orphanage after the death of her mother, Coco's childhood struggles laid the foundation for an extraordinary destiny. At 18, her talent for sewing became her ticket to freedom. A sales assistant by day and a café singer by night, she reportedly earned the nickname "Coco" from one of her signature songs "Qui qu'a vu Coco." Étienne de Balsan, a textile heir, became both her romantic partner and first financier, catapulting her into high society.
“A girl should be two things: who and what she wants.” This is one of the most famous quotes from the founder of Chanel, and though simple, it speaks volumes about the type of woman Coco Chanel was.
Coco wanted to revolutionize women’s fashion, creating clothes and accessories that embodied femininity and luxury without compromising on comfort and practicality. And by doing so, she changed the way women moved in the world.
When Chanel opened her first Paris boutique, she was initially known for her exceptional talent in creating hats. Later, she gained recognition for her style of clothes that went against the popular fashion trends of that time. While other designers pushed for restrictive form-fitting corsets, Chanel went against the current, offering more freeing and sporty silhouettes while still highlighting the innate femininity of the female body. This marked the beginning of a fashion revolution and the rise of her fashion empire. Feeling empowered by her newfound success and popularity in the 1920s, Coco went on to expand into beauty and fragrances, birthing the iconic Chanel No.5, a fragrance that would become a timeless masterpiece.
Her keen observations of Parisian fashion norms transformed into iconic creations like the "petit robe noir" and the revolutionary Chanel suit. The '30s witnessed Chanel's venture into accessories, giving rise to the legendary Chanel 2.55 bag. World War II briefly interrupted her journey, but she returned triumphantly in 1954 at the age of 71, unveiling more of her knitted suits that breathed new life into her fashion house.
Coco Chanel died on January 10, 1971 at 87 years old. However, it did not dim the brand's brilliance. Chanel continued to redefine fashion under various leaderships, including the transformative Karl Lagerfeld, who became the brand’s artistic director in 1983. Chanel's history is a tale of resilience, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to challenging conventions. Each stitch, fragrance, and accessory carries the indelible mark of a visionary, forever etching the name Chanel in the annals of fashion history and becoming an inspiration for other brands to this day.
Chanel Artistic Directors and Perfumers
Chanel, a paragon of timeless elegance and innovation, stands as an iconic symbol in the world of fashion, beauty, and fragrance. Beyond the visionary contributions of Coco Chanel, the brand's legacy has been uniquely sculpted by various artistic directors and perfumers throughout the years.
In 1954, Henri Robert took the reins as Chanel's perfumer, succeeding the legendary Ernest Beaux. His artistic touch marked the beginning of a new olfactory era. In 1965, Jacques Helleu assumed the role of artistic director for perfumes and beauty products, ushering in an era of creative dialogues that resulted in iconic advertising films and elevated the brand's image.
Jacques Polge, becoming the third perfumer for Chanel in 1978, left an indelible mark with fragrances like Coco, Coco Mademoiselle, Allure, Chance, and Bleu. His legacy continued with his son Olivier, who would later be appointed head of Chanel's Perfume Creation and Development Laboratory in 2015.
The transformative era of Karl Lagerfeld began in 1983 when he took on the role of artistic director, injecting new life into Chanel with innovations like Cruise collections, Métiers d'art, and the revival of Haute Couture. His influence extended to the reinterpretation of iconic pieces and the introduction of the Classic Double Flap bag.
Virginie Viard, who started as an intern at the Chanel Creation Studio in 1987 and became the Director of Chanel's Haute Couture Studio in 1997, eventually made her way to become the Artistic Director of Chanel Fashion Collections in 2019. But on June 6, 2024, the brand officially revealed her exit, leaving many waiting with bated breath for the announcement of her successor.
Most Iconic Chanel Pieces
Chanel Flap Bag
In 1955, Coco Chanel introduced the 2.55 flap handbag, revolutionizing fashion by providing a practical, liberating accessory for women with its shoulder strap and adjustable chain. It featured iconic details like Chanel’s signature diamond-stitched quilting and a deep burgundy interior. In 1983, Karl Lagerfeld reinterpreted the 2.55 flap with the Classic Double Flap, adding a leather-woven chain and a Double C turn-lock closure to the mix. Renamed the 11.12 in 2021, this timeless piece was offered in a diverse option of sizes, quilting, leathers, and hardware.
In 1997, Chanel introduced the Wallet on Chain, a hybrid between a wallet and a shoulder bag that's now one of the maison's most popular beginner-friendly items for bag collectors.
The Mini Flap, released in 2010, became another sought-after variation, embracing the mini bag trend. Its smaller size and single flap also made it more affordable. The Chanel 19, launched in 2019 as a tribute to the iconic 2.55, reflects Karl Lagerfeld and Virginie Viard's collaborative effort. With a slouchier design, chunky chains, and exaggerated quilting, the Chanel 19 combines casual chicness with the essence of the classic flap and 2.55 flap.
Chanel Slingbacks
The original two-tone shoe and a signature of the brand which appeared in 1957. With special attention to detail, Coco Chanel designed the slingbacks in beige, to elongate their shape, and black, to shorten the foot and protect the toe from long-term wear. The 5cm heel ensured stability and comfort. Not everyone is familiar with this, but it was shoemaker Massaro that added the strap around the heel for more comfort, creating what we know as the slingback today.
Chanel Ballet Flats
The Chanel slingback paved the way for their iconic ballet flats. Karl Lagerfeld would dramatically reinterpret his predecessor’s heeled creation 27 years later in 1984, transforming it into the flat ballet slipper we know today. The ballet flat was styled to resemble the footwear worn by ballet dancers—an homage by Karl to Coco Chanel who had passed away 13 years earlier and was a fan of Paris’ Ballet Russes.
Click here for more iconic Chanel shoes.
Chanel Tweed Suits
Coco Chanel was on a mission to redefine women's fashion. The result? The birth of the "Chanel suit" in 1925. Designed not only to highlight femininity but to provide comfort, the suits featured a skirt resting gracefully on the hips and a boxy, light jacket made of tweed fabric that added a touch of comfort and silkiness.
Chanel Chain Belts
Although the chain belt has already been around since the 1930s, it wasn’t until the mid-1990s when Karl Lagerfeld featured the Chanel chain belt on the runway that it cemented itself as a seasonal staple. Karl styled them over jackets, dresses, and sportswear, making them one of the most sought-after Chanel accessories. Each season a new variation of the Chanel chain belt is introduced.
Click here for a list of the best Chanel bags to buy.
Most Iconic Chanel Beauty Products and Fragrances
Chanel No. 5
In 1921, Chanel unveiled its first olfactory masterpiece—N°5. This fragrance, revolutionary in composition, name, and presentation, was born from the collaboration between Coco Chanel and perfumer Ernest Beaux. Fast forward to 1952, and Marilyn Monroe's declaration of love for N°5 in a feature story in Life Magazine cemented its iconic status. The scent remains timeless, capturing the essence of sophistication and femininity.
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Coco Mademoiselle Chanel
Launched in 2001, Chanel's Coco Mademoiselle, crafted by Jacques Polge, stands as a fresh oriental fragrance reviving the Chypre fragrance family with its exclusive fractional patchouli note. Kate Moss became the face of its captivating campaign, adding a modern touch to the elegance and femininity embodied by this iconic scent.
Rouge Allure
The year 2006 witnessed the introduction of Rouge Allure lipstick—an innovative collection featuring intense colors and a clever opening system. A single click reveals the Chanel-stamped stick, combining luxurious aesthetics with a vibrant color palette to elevate every makeup look.
Le Vernis in Rouge Noir
Launched in 1995, Rouge Noir Nail Lacquer pays homage to one of Coco Chanel's favorite colors. The deep and rich hue of Rouge Noir N°18 quickly became an iconic choice for chic and sophisticated nail looks and is still one of the most loved nail colors today.
Créme Sublimage
In 2006, Chanel presented Sublimage Crème Régénérante Fondamentale—a cream with global anti-aging effectiveness, developed through Chanel's research on the power of plants and polyfractionation. Featuring Vanilla Planifolia from Madagascar, this cream promises a luxurious and rejuvenating skincare experience. Now they have an entire Sublimage skincare line that includes eye cream, serums, moisturizers, lotions, and masks.
Click here for a list of the best-selling Chanel perfumes in the Philippines.
Filipino Celebrities Wearing Chanel Pieces
1. Kelsey Merritt
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2. Marian Rivera
3. Heart Evangelista
4. Verniece Enciso
5. Anne Curtis
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