The History Of Chanel

Chanel

Chanel

The luxury Parisian based fashion house Chanel is one of the most recognized names worldwide in haute couture.

The fashion powerhouse was born in 1909, when the first shop was opened in Paris by Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, better known as Coco Chanel. From humble beginnings on the ground floor of the Balsan home, the shop soon moved to the Rue Cambon in Paris.

During the 1913 - 1917 period Chanel sold a variety of clothing, including women's sportswear, blazers, skirts and sweaters. Her designs soon became popular for their simplicity.

In the 1920's Coco Chanel literally revolutionized the fashion haute couture industry, by replacing the rigid "corset style" with fashion based on comfort and elegance, thus firmly establishing her reputation as a fashion couturier. In 1921 she released the first perfume, which we all know as the world famous Chanel No. 5. Needless to say, the introduction of this fragrance was a massive success. In 1924 she further expanded the business to include costume jewelry

In 1925, Coco introduced the World to her signature cardigan jacket and then in 1926, her trademark and immediately successful "little black dress". Her shorter skirts and relaxed fashions were in sharp contrast to the attire popular with previous generations. In later years she was also responsible for the introduction of women's pea jackets,bell bottom pants and the timeless Chanel suit.

During World War II there were strong suspicions that Coco Chanel was on a very friendly basis with the Germans due mostly to her affair with a Nazi Officer. After the liberation of Paris by the Allies she was actually arrested for aiding Germany, but an intervention by Winston Churchill facilitated her release. She was, however, forced to flee to Switzerland under threat of reprisals by the French against all women who were suspected of having collaborated with Nazi Germany.

On her return to Paris in 1953 she discovered that another famous fashion house, Christian Dior, was now the dominant force in the market place. By renewing her business relationship with former Chanel partner Pierre Wertheimer, Coco was soon able to catapult the Chanel label to prominence once again.

Coco Chanel died in 1971.

Pierre Wertheimer's son, Alain, took over the company in 1974. He rekindled interest in the fading Chanel No. 5 fragrance with some intelligent marketing and also secured the services of designer Karl Lagerfeld, previously the Head Designer for Fendi.

Coco Chanel and her designs have made a lasting impression on the fashion industry. With Headquarters based in Paris, her legacy contimues in over 200 Chanel boutiques worldwide.

by: Trevor Eastveld

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