50
Little-Known Facts About Chanel
1. Chanel was founded by Gabrielle Chanel, also known as Coco Chanel, in 1909.
2. Chanel’s signature fragrance, Chanel No. 5, was created in 1921.
3. Coco Chanel was involved in a love affair with the Duke of Westminster for over a decade.
4. Chanel’s trademark logo, the interlocked “CC” logo, stands for Coco Chanel.
5. Chanel was the first fashion brand to have a flagship store on Paris’ Rue Cambon.
6. Chanel’s iconic little black dress (LBD) was introduced in 1926.
7. Coco Chanel’s favorite flower was the camellia, which is now a symbol of the brand.
8. Chanel’s couture collection is still entirely hand-sewn in the brand’s ateliers.
9. Chanel’s jewelry design always incorporates pearls, a favorite of Coco Chanel.
10 Coco Chanel was born in poverty and was sent to an orphanage at the age of 11.
11. Chanel’s first hat shop was opened in 1910
12. Chanel created her first perfume, Chanel No. 1, in 1920.
13. Coco Chanel was known for her androgynous fashion designs.
14. Chanel’s quilted handbag was inspired by the jackets worn by stable boys.
15. The length of the strap on the Chanel 2.55 handbag was designed for Coco Chanel so she could carry it over her shoulder.
16. Despite the German occupation of Paris during World War II, Chanel continued to design and dress high-profile clients.
17. The two-tone Chanel shoe design was created to make the legs appear longer.
18. Coco Chanel was portrayed by Audrey Tautou in the 2009 biopic, “Coco Before Chanel.”
19. A Chanel suit can take up to 100 hours to create.
20. Chanel’s famous black-and-white color scheme was inspired by her time spent in the nunnery.
21. Chanel’s first collection in 1916 was a line of hats.
22. Chanel used to dye her own fabrics to achieve her desired colors.
23. Coco Chanel was a fan of the sport of horse racing, and often incorporated equestrian elements into her designs.
24. Chanel is owned by the Wertheimer family, who acquired the company in 1954.
25. Chanel’s Gabrielle handbag was named after the brand’s founder.
26. The buttons on Chanel jackets are designed to be functional and not purely decorative.
27. Chanel’s Coco Mademoiselle perfume is named after a nickname given to Coco Chanel by her lover, Boy Capel.
28. Chanel’s iconic tweed fabric was not used until the 1920s.
29. Chanel opened her first fashion boutique in Deauville in 1913.
30. Coco Chanel was once quoted as saying, “Fashion fades, only style remains the same.”
31. The majority of Chanel’s profits come from the sale of its fragrances.
32. Chanel’s first major fashion show was held in 1924.
33. Coco Chanel introduced costume jewelry to her collection in 1924.
34. Chanel’s logo was designed by Coco Chanel herself.
35. Karl Lagerfeld took over as creative director of Chanel in 1983 and remained in the role until his death in 2019.
36. Chanel’s “Bijoux de Diamants” collection in 1932 was the brand’s first fine jewelry collection.
37. Chanel was the first fashion brand to have a black model open its runway show in 1983.
38. Coco Chanel once said, “A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.”
39. Chanel has collaborated with artists, musicians, and filmmakers such as Pharrell Williams, Baz Luhrmann, and Karl Lagerfeld.
40. The Chanel N°5 campaign featuring Brad Pitt was the first time a male celebrity was used to promote a women’s fragrance.
41. Chanel’s fashion shows are held in elaborate sets resembling everything from a brasserie to a supermarket.
42. Coco Chanel was known for her love of costume jewelry, which she often layered and piled on.
43. Chanel’s iconic 2.55 handbag was named after the date it was created, February 1955.
44. Chanel’s “Les Exclusifs” fragrances are sold only in select Chanel boutiques and are considered the brand’s most luxurious scents.
45. Karl Lagerfeld famously said, “Sweatpants are a sign of defeat. You lost control of your life so you bought some sweatpants.”
46. Chanel’s fashion shows are often attended by high-profile celebrities, including Rihanna, Kristen Stewart, and Julianne Moore.
47. Chanel’s logo was inspired by the stained-glass windows of the Aubazine Abbey where Coco Chanel spent time as an orphan.
48. Chanel’s boyish designs were a stark contrast to the corsets and frills of women’s fashion in the early 20th century.
49. Coco Chanel was portrayed by Shirley MacLaine in the 2008 TV movie, “Coco Chanel.”
50. Chanel’s iconic bouclé suit was first introduced in 1954 and is now considered a timeless piece of fashion history.
In conclusion, Chanel’s rich history, iconic designs, and timeless elegance have made it one of the most enduring and influential fashion brands of all time. From the signature fragrance of Chanel No. 5 to the timeless beauty of the little black dress, the brand’s innovations and contributions to fashion are truly remarkable.