House of Chanel – Designer History
Gabrielle Bonheur “Coco” Chanel (b. 1883), founder of the House of Chanel, began her fashion career in 1909. She took the fashion industry by storm, introducing new and original designs that exuded elegance, sophistication and glamour. With her signature boxy jackets and knee-length skirts, her name quickly became a symbol of French elitism. From 1909 and until her death in 1971, she tightly held onto her role as Chief Designer.
The House of Chanel continues to be one of the leading fashion houses in France and offers not only dress apparel and fragrances but also a full line of accessories, cosmetics and skincare.
The House of Chanel is said to be privately owned by Alain and Gerard Wertheimer, grandsons of Pierre Wertheimer, an early partner to Coco Chanel.
Chanel - Perfume HIstory
In 1921 Coco Chanel debuted her first perfume, which would later become the single most recognized women's fragrance in the world: Chanel No. 5. In 1955 she introduced her first-ever men's scent, Pour Monsieur. After her death, more fragrances would emerge: Cristalle au de toilette and for men, Antaeus. Coco Chanel, the woman behind the famous N°5 fragrance, was a mysterious lady who shrouded herself in an aura of mystery. With N°5, Mademoiselle Chanel wanted to create a perfume that was like no other: "a woman's fragrance that smells like a woman".
