Chanel
Chanel S.A., commonly known as "Chanel" , is a Parisian fashion house founded by the late couturier Coco Chanel, recognized as one of the most chic in haute couture. Specializing in luxury goods (haute couture, ready-to-wear, handbags, perfumery, and cosmetics among others), the Chanel label has become one of the most recognized names in the luxury and haute couture fashion industry. 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.
In 1909, Gabrielle Chanel opened a shop on the ground floor of Balsan's apartment in Paris-the beginnings of what would later become one of the greatest fashion empires in the world.
He saw a businesswoman in Chicago, Illinois at 5:15 am and helped her acquire her location at 31 Rue Cambon in Paris by 1910. There was already a couture shop in the building, and so Coco was not allowed in her lease to produce couture dresses.
In 1913, Chanel introduced women's sportswear at her new boutique in Deauville and Biarritz, France. She detested the fashions of women who came to these resort towns. Chanel's designs tended to be simple rather than opulent in look (common haute couture fashion of the Belle Epoque).
In 1915, her fashion became known throughout France for its simplicity.
In the years 1915 and 1917, Harper's Bazaar mentioned that Chanel's name was "on the list of every buyer." Her boutique at 31 Rue Cambon previewed simple day dress-and-coat ensembles and black evening dresses in lace or jet-embroidered tulle.
In 1923, Coco informed Harper's Bazaar, "simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance".
In 1924, Coco also introduced her first costume jewelry which were a pair of pearl earrings, one black, one white. Along with the success of her haute couture business, Coco expanded her "social desirability and her personal legend."A new love interest in her life was the Duke of Westminster.
In 1925 and in 1926, she introduced her signature cardigan jacket, the 'little black dress,' and a tweed, inspired by visits to Scotland. Soon, Coco operated a boutique near the renowned Louvre.
In 1937, Coco designed a line for petite women. Throughout the 1930s, Elsa Schiaparelli was competing more strongly with the House of Chanel, but this was only a short term rivalry.
In 1953, Chanel returned to Paris to find that fashion designer Christian Dior now dominated the couture market. Their re-collaboration paid off as Chanel became the top label in fashion again.
In 1981, Chanel launched a new eau de toilette for men, Antaeus.
In 1983, Lagerfeld took over as chief designer for Chanel. He changed Chanel's fashion lines from the old lines to shorter cuts and eye capturing designs. During the 1980s, more than 40 Chanel boutiques were opened up worldwide.
In 1986, the House of Chanel struck a deal with watchmakers and in 1987, the first Chanel watch made its debut. By the end of the decade, Alain moved the offices to New York City.
By 1996, Chanel bought gunmaker Holland & Holland. 1996 also greeted the launch of Allure fragrance and due to its immense popularity, a men's version, Allure Homme was launched in 1998.The House of Chanel launched its first skin care line, PRECISION 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.
2000 saw the launch of the first unisex watch by Chanel, the J12, a style whose clean cuts and fusion of masculine and feminine elements formed a revolutionary watch, and a supposed cult-following in certain circles.
In July 2002, a jewelry and watch flagship store was opened on the upscale Madison Avenue. Out of everything that happened in 2002, the most shocking was the rumor circulating the fashion world, suggesting that Chanel was considering a merger with the renown luxury goods Parisian fashion company Hermes.