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The House of Chanel, more commonly known as Chanel, is a Parisian fashion house in France founded by Gabrielle Bonheur "Coco" Chanel (b.1883 - d.1971). According to Forbes, the privately held House of Chanel is jointly owned by Alain Wertheimer and Gerard Wertheimer who are the grandsons of the early (1924) Chanel partner Pierre Wertheimer.
History
After No. 5, Coco Chanel's fashions became even more well-known and were purchased by the high flyers of London and Paris society alike. Chanel took to living at the Hôtel Ritz Paris, and her suite of residence has become famous and is now named the "Coco Chanel Suite." Chanel is also known for its quilted fabric which also has a "secret" quilting pattern sewn at the back to keep the material strong. This material is used for clothing and accessories alike. During the early 1970s London socialite millionairess Diane Boulting-Casserley Vandelli was ambassador to the brand, making it ever more popular amongst the European jet-set and upper classes. The brand is now headed by German-born designer Karl Lagerfeld, who had previously designed for the House of Fendi, where his most memorable achievement was the creation of the signature "FF" logo print (referred to as Zucca) commonly used on handbags.
Her fashion became known in 1915 throughout France for prioritising freedom of movement by not featuring ostentation and redundance in her designs. She affirmed Chanel’s style of authentic, fluid and comfortable lines.
1921 saw the introduction of the first Chanel perfume, No. 5. It was internationally popular with women of high society in particular. “La Société des Parfums Chanel" was founded in 1924 to produce and sell perfumes and beauty products.
1924 also greeted the first Chanel costume jewelry collection that Harper’s Bazaar described as “one of the most revolutionary designs of our time.”
In 1928, Chanel introduced the ‘little black dress,’ greeted by Vogue as the ‘new uniform of the modern woman.’ That same year, Chanel introduced the classic tweed. Inspired by visits to Scotland with the Duke of Westminster, Chanel was inspired and created her first tweed suits. Chanel premiered an exhibition of jewelry in 1932 dedicated to the diamond. Several of the pieces, including the ‘Comet’ and ‘Fountain’ necklaces were re-introduced by Chanel in 1993.
Coming out of fashion retirement at the age of 61, Chanel re-opened the couture house. Her first show received international acclaim, with her signature jersey suit being introduced that bore her favorite number: 5. In 1955, Chanel introduced the quilted bag with the shoulder strap, a bag that shook the fashion world. It became so popular the first year, she had to decline numerous requests due to the lack of time to painstakingly manufacture each one by her skilled artisans. The bag is known in industry shorthand as the 2.55, after the month and year it was introduced. That same year, Chanel launched her first eau de toilette for men, Pour Monsieur.
In 1957 at the Fashion Awards in Dallas, Chanel and her Spring collection received the Fashion Oscar. The fashion world applauded her as the ‘most influential designer of the twentieth century.’ After dozens of other internationally acclaimed collections, Chanel introduced in 1970 a new perfume by the name of No. 19, after her birthday date. On January 10, 1971, Coco Chanel died, ending an era of revolutionary fashion that would still be the classic model fashion designers today find inspiration in. Her posthumous Spring collection enjoyed considerable success.
However, her influence did not pass with her death. Other posthumous projects came to light a few years. In 1974, the House of Chanel launched Cristalle eau de toilette, which was in the workings when Coco Chanel was alive. 1978 saw the launch of the first non-couture, prêt-à-porter line and worldwide distribution of accessories. In 1981, Chanel launched a new eau de toilette for men, Antaeus.
In 1984, the House of Chanel launched the fragrance, Coco, in honor of the late Coco Chanel. The scent was based upon a private fragarance Chanel had commissioned from her perfumers that she wore exclusively daily. In 1986, the House of Chanel struck a deal with watchmakers and in 1987, the first Chanel watches made its debut.
Under special commission from Karl Lagerfeld, the House of Chanel launched its first skin care line, PRÉCISION in 1999. That same year, Chanel launched a new travel collection, and under a license contract with Luxottica, introduced a line of sunglasses and eyeglass frames. The new millennium saw the launch of the first unisex watch for Chanel, the J12, a style that has reached iconic fame with its clean cuts and fusion of masculinity and femininity to form a revolutionary watch. To please the younger fashionistas, Chanel introduced Coco Mademoiselle and an ‘In-Between Wear’ in 2001.
2002 saw the launch of Chance fragrance, with a scent of surprise and glamour. The House of Chanel founded the Paraffection company that gathered the five Ateliers d’Art: Desrues for ornamentation, Lemarié for feathers, Lesage for embroiderer, Massaro for shoemaker, and Michel for millinr. A prêt-à-porter collection proposing their know-how was designed by Karl Lagerfeld. It is now traditionally presented each December.
2003 saw such an immense popularity of Chanel haute couture that the company founded a second atelier on rue Cambon.
2005-Present The House of Chanel, under the leadership of Karl Lagerfeld, has defined the style and fashion of Chanel as being the five essentials: audacious, perfectionist, unique, passionate, and visionary.
Chanel is currently dealing with illegal use of the double-C logotype on cheaper goods, especially fake handbags. Countries said to be producing great numbers of fake Chanel handbags are Vietnam, Thailand, and China. An authentic Chanel handbag retails around $1,500, while a fake usually costs around $60, creating a demand for the signature style at a cheaper price.
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