Chanel

From a stockings vendor to a fashion house

Gabrielle Boner Chanel, who later took the pseudonym Coco Chanel, was born into a poor family. Next to her mother and father, she did not live long - at 85 her mother died, and her father gave the girl to an orphanage with nuns. They instilled in her a love of sewing.

Coco began her career in the world of clothing as a hosiery salesman in a small store in Moulin. The formation of a designer is associated with the acquaintance with Etienne Balzan. He had nothing to do with fashion, but comprehensively helped the then young girl in development. It was in his apartment that Gabrielle opened the first shop in 1909 - then she sold hats, which, it must be said, were successful. Already by 1913, Coco had 3 stores in different cities of Paris, and the range expanded to dresses, as well as sportswear for women. Her main policy was always simplicity combined with elegance. She was alien to pompous dresses fashionable for that time with an abundance of decor - in her understanding, luxury was laconic, restrained, light.

In 1921, the legendary perfume Chanel No. 5 was born, which still occupies a leading position among other fragrances. Interestingly, she was helped to release a perfume by acquaintance with the Russian prince Dmitry Romanov, who brought the girl together with his perfumer.

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After World War II, the couturier was forced to flee Paris, as she was accused of aiding the Nazis. She returned only in 1953, when Christian Dior took the helm of French fashion. Coco had to adapt to the changed fashion and she succeeded - in tandem with her long-time partner Pierre Wertheimer, they quickly regained fame and began to conquer the world both in high fashion and Pret-a-Porter.

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After Coco's death, ownership of the company quickly passed to Jacques Wertheimer – he bought the fashion house. Now the company continues to be owned by the man's children.

The chief designer from 1983 to 2019 was Karl Lagerfeld. He kept the company afloat for many years, but passed away in 2019. His place was taken by Virginie Viard. Now the fashion house is one of the most influential and is part of the Haute Couture Syndicate in Paris.

Range

The fashion house, as expected, produces several types of goods under the trademark:

• Clothing and footwear;
• Decorations;
• Cosmetics and skin care products;
• Perfume;
• Accessories – bags, sunglasses, leather goods, watches.

Clothing and footwear

As it was the founder of the fashion house, Chanel produces simple in terms of cut, but elegant things. Especially appreciated in fashion circles:

• Dresses - no wonder Coco created a little black dress. Of course, now the range goes far beyond one style - there are models for every taste: from restrained and refined to more glamorous;

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• Pantsuits. The history of trouser suits for women also did not pass without the participation of Chanel, so it is simply impossible to remove them from the range. Suits sophisticated, usually of a classic cut - an ideal option for business style;

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• Skirts and blouses. There are styles with non-standard decor, as well as more restrained, classic;
• Trousers – popular palazzos, more classic office, with or without prints;

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@chanelofficial

• Cardigans, jackets, half-coats. Especially a lot of them in the last few collections. There are restrained monochromatic, printed, with an unusual finish;

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@chanelofficial

Girls who love business style, chic, there are things for a minimalist wardrobe, casual will be able to choose things for themselves.

Decoration

Jewelry in Chanel has been given a lot of attention since 1932, when Coco released a collection of jewelry with diamonds. During this time, the policy has not changed much - these are stylish, luxurious accessories that will accurately demonstrate all the chic of their owner.

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Along with the massive, stone-strewn necklaces and earrings, there is room for more restrained rings and bracelets.

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Cosmetics & Care

If other fashion houses, for example, Dior, produce a limited number of products, but Chanel covers the niche of beauty and skin health almost completely. Under the trademark are produced:

• Cosmetics – lipsticks, foundations, pencils, mascaras;

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• Nail polishes;
• Oils, creams, lotions for face and body;
• Makeup removers;
• Lip balms;
• Anti-wrinkle products.

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In general, it is easier to say what cosmetic products the fashion house does not produce.

Perfume

Of course, Chanel No5 is not limited to the range - the brand has several dozen permanent fragrances, and limited editions are often produced. The most famous are:

• PARIS-ÉDIMBOURG – basil and citrus;
• COCO MADEMOISELLE – oriental fragrance with jasmine and rose;

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• ChanelNo19 – floral-woody.

Perfume is presented for both men and women.

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Accessories

And, of course, accessories - watches, bags, belts, sunglasses.

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It is curious that the accessories of the Chanel fashion house are quite restrained, almost classic. Take at least the bags - a clear shape, a calm color, no extra accessories.

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@chanelofficial

Notable models

In 1977, the face of chanel No. 5 perfume was Catherine Deneuve. After that, the perfume was advertised by other celebrities - Nicole Kidman, Brad Pitt, Giselle Bundchen, but it was Deneuve who remained an example of French sophistication, which perfectly conveyed a feminine, elegant fragrance. There was a place among the models for Cara Delevingne - she starred for Chanel in 2013, and then in 2016.

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@chanelofficial

In the fall of 2020, American actress Lily-Rose Depp was invited to shoot the summer collection.   this year, Kristen Stewart starred for Chanel.

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