Chanel is a manufacturer of luxury goods based in Paris. The company produces handbags, cosmetics, clothing, watches, perfumes, and more. The company has been represented by the likes of Marilyn Monroe, Keira Knightley, and Nicole Kidman. Chanel also produced one of the most expensive advertisements ever made. They are one of the biggest fashion empires in the world.

The Chanel Headquarters in Paris

Chanel was established in 1909 by Gabrielle Coco Chanel. It began as a clothing shop on the ground floor of Balsan’s apartment. This was a meeting place for the elite folk, giving Coco an established customer base. By 1915, her fashion was popular throughout France due to its simplicity. By 1921, she was selling perfumes, which were quickly a success. Production of jewelry by her company began 3 year later. When World War 2 started, Coco Chanel retired and began a relationship with a Nazi officer. During the Nazi occupation of France, Coco was sent by the Germans to British prime minister Winston Churchill on a secret peace mission. Coco was arrested, but Churchill intervened and she was released. She returned to Paris in 1953 and was met with fierce competition. However, by collaborating with Pierre Wertheimer, Coco was able to make her lable the most recognized in fashion once again.

Chanel produced handbags that are still in fashion today and she soon moved to new areas, such as men’s fragrances. In 1971, at the age of 87, Coco passed away. At the time of her death, she had still been working, becoming a perfect example of “lifetime dedication”. Jacques Wetheimer bought the House Of Chanel and he was succeeded by his son in 1974.

Lagerfeld took over a the chief designer of the company in 1983. He made the fashion lines of Chanel eye capturing designs and over 40 Chanel stores were opened all over the world by the end of the 1980s. In the 1990s, Chanel became the global leader in fragrance and marketing. In 1999, the company began selling sunglasses. One year later, the company launched its first unisex watch, which fused feminine and manly elements into one watch. Chanel began to expand in the USA and by 2002 had 25 boutiques in the country.

Chanel pioneered originality and simplicity. The House of Chanel became a symbol of elegance and the Chanel name is now always associated with elegance, elitism, and wealth. Chanel has touched and inspired many fashion designers, especially with her perfume: Chanel No.5. Chanel’s perfumes brought more profit to the company then all their other products. All authentic Chanel handbags have been serialized since the 1990s to prevent counterfeiting. Chanel now operates over 200 stores worldwide. Chanel is currently, and will most likely continue to be one of the biggest names in fashion for many years to come.