Chanel facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Chanel Ltd

Chanel Fragrance & Beauty boutique, Miami
Type	Private
Industry	Fashion
Founded	1910; 115 years ago (1910) Paris, France
Founders	Coco Chanel and Pierre Wertheimer
Headquarters	5 Barlow Place London, W1J 6DG United Kingdom 51°30′38″N 0°08′36″W / 51.51054°N 0.1432786°W / 51.51054; -0.1432786
Number of locations	500+ boutiques
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Leena Nair (CEO) Virginie Viard (creative director) Philippe Blondiaux (CFO) Olivier Polge (master perfumer)
Products	Haute couture ready-to-wear accessories jewellery perfume
Revenue	US$15.6 billion (2021)
Net income	US$4.0 billion (2021)
Owners	Alain Wertheimer Gérard Wertheimer
Number of employees	28,500 (end 2021)

Chanel (/ʃəˈnɛl/ SHƏ-nel) is a famous French luxury fashion company. It was started in 1910 by Coco Chanel in Paris. Today, the Wertheimer family owns it, and its main office has been in London since 2018.

Chanel is known for its women's clothing, fancy items, and accessories. They also let other companies use their name for things like eyewear. Two of their most famous creations are the No. 5 perfume and the "Chanel Suit." Coco Chanel changed fashion by making clothes that were comfortable and stylish. She moved away from tight, structured outfits like corsets. Instead, she created clothes that women found easy to wear and still looked great in.

History of Chanel

Coco Chanel's Early Years (1909–1920s)

Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel in 1920

The Chanel company began in 1909. Gabrielle Chanel, also known as Coco, opened a hat shop in Paris. She started selling hats to fashionable women she met. This helped her earn her own money.

The actress Gabrielle Dorziat wearing a Chanel plumed hat (1912)

In 1910, a friend named Arthur "Boy" Capel helped Coco open her first official hat shop, Chanel Modes, in Paris. At first, she could only sell hats. But by 1913, she opened new shops in Deauville and Biarritz. Here, she started selling practical sports clothes for women. These designs allowed women to move freely and play sports.

During World War I (1914–1918), materials were scarce. Coco Chanel opened a larger dress shop in Paris. She used jersey fabric, which was unusual for fashion at the time. Jersey was comfortable and draped well. Her designs were simple and practical, sometimes inspired by military uniforms. By 1915, Chanel's clothes were famous across France. She even opened her first Haute Couture (high fashion) house in Biarritz.

Illustration of three women in Chanel day outfits consisting of belted tunic jackets and full jersey skirts, 1917

After the war, in the 1920s, Chanel became known for beaded dresses. These were popular with "Flapper" women. Her styles were simple and less curvy than earlier fashions. Chanel also used colors like grey and navy blue, which were usually for men. This showed a bold new style for women. Her clothes often featured quilted fabric and leather. The famous woolen Chanel suit, with a knee-length skirt and cardigan jacket, became a classic. It was often worn with pearl necklaces and leather handbags.

In 1921, Coco Chanel wanted a special perfume for her brand. She asked perfumer Ernest Beaux to create one. He made No. 5, which became very popular. It was first given as a gift to clients. Then, in 1922, it was sold to everyone. Coco Chanel believed that "simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance."

Growing the Business (Late 1920s)

The success of Chanel No. 5 made Coco want to sell perfumes worldwide. She needed help with money and business knowledge. A businessman named Théophile Bader introduced her to Pierre Wertheimer. They created the Parfums Chanel company. Wertheimer owned 70% of it, Bader owned 20%, and Chanel owned 10%. The Chanel name helped the perfumes become very successful.

Coco Chanel felt that Wertheimer was taking advantage of her. She tried to change their agreement, but it stayed the same. Wertheimer reminded her that his money helped her perfume business grow and made her very rich.

Challenges and Comeback (1930s–1970s)

In the 1930s, Coco Chanel's designs became more elegant. She showed fancy evening dresses and diamond jewelry. By 1937, Chanel also made clothes for smaller women.

During World War II (1939–1945), Coco Chanel closed most of her fashion house. She continued to sell only jewelry and perfumes. After the war, there were rumors about her activities during the occupation. To avoid problems, Coco Chanel moved to Switzerland for eight years.

While she was away, Pierre Wertheimer returned to Paris. He took back control of Parfums Chanel. Coco Chanel was still unhappy with her 10% share. She started her own perfume company in Switzerland. To avoid a big legal fight, Wertheimer made a new deal with her in 1947. She received a large sum of money and a percentage of sales from No. 5 perfume. She also got a monthly payment for all her expenses. In return, she closed her Swiss perfume business and gave Parfums Chanel full rights to the "Coco Chanel" name.

A Chanel suit, 1965

In 1953, Coco Chanel returned to France. Fashion had changed, with Christian Dior's "New Look" being very popular. This style used a lot of fabric and had a full skirt and a tiny waist. To bring Chanel back to the top, Coco asked Pierre Wertheimer for help again. He agreed to invest, and in return, he gained rights to all Chanel-brand products.

Chanel started making jewelry and handbags again. In 1955, they introduced the famous quilted-leather handbag with a chain strap. It was called the "2.55" after its launch date (February 1955). Chanel also launched its first men's cologne, Pour Monsieur. In 1957, Coco Chanel won a major fashion award.

Woman wearing a Chanel cheongsam with robe and a feather hat in 1950s

Coco Chanel continued designing until she passed away on January 10, 1971, at age 87. After her death, Pierre Wertheimer's son, Jacques, took over the company. In 1974, Chanel launched Cristalle perfume. In 1978, they started selling ready-to-wear clothes and accessories worldwide.

Modern Chanel (1980s–Present)

Chanel couture by Lagerfeld: the A/W 2011–2012 collection

A Chanel store in North America

In 1974, Jacques Wertheimer's son, Alain Wertheimer, took charge. He worked to boost sales of Chanel No. 5 in the U.S. He made the perfume more exclusive by selling it in fewer stores. He also spent a lot on advertising, using famous people like Marilyn Monroe.

In 1983, Karl Lagerfeld became the chief designer for Chanel. He used classic Chanel elements like tweed and gold accents. But he also brought new ideas, making the brand modern. During the 1980s, over 40 Chanel stores opened worldwide. They sold everything from perfumes to dresses and handbags. In 1984, a new perfume called Coco was launched. In 1987, the first Chanel watch was released.

Chanel continued to grow, even through economic ups and downs. In the 1990s, they bought other companies like Holland & Holland (gun-makers) and Eres (swimwear). They also launched new perfumes like Allure and their first skincare line, Précision. In 1999, they started selling sunglasses and eyeglasses.

In 2000, Chanel launched the J12, their first unisex watch. In 2002, they created Paraffection, a company that supports traditional craft workshops. These workshops make special buttons, feathers, embroidery, shoes, and hats for Chanel's designs.

The Chanel flagship store at Prince's Building, Hong Kong

Chanel kept expanding globally. In 2003, they launched Coco Mademoiselle perfume, aimed at younger women. They also opened new stores in major cities like Hong Kong and Tokyo.

In 2018, Chanel moved its main headquarters to London. That same year, they announced they would stop using fur and exotic animal skins in their collections.

In February 2019, Karl Lagerfeld passed away. Virginie Viard, who had worked with him for over 30 years, became the new Creative Director. In December 2021, Leena Nair was appointed Global Chief Executive Officer.

Exhibitions and Shows

Chanel's designs have been featured in many art shows around the world. The Palais Galliera in Paris held a big show about Gabrielle Chanel's fashion. This exhibit later traveled to Tokyo and Melbourne. The Thyssen-Bornemisza National Museum in Madrid explored the connection between Pablo Picasso and Gabrielle Chanel. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York has also honored Chanel's work with exhibitions.

Giving Back and Sustainability

Fondation Chanel is the company's charity organization. Started in 2011, it helps with healthcare, fights against gender-based violence, and supports women's economic independence. They work with groups in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Chanel is also focused on protecting the environment. In 2021, they invested $25 million to help farmers deal with climate change. They launched a new beauty line, No.1 de Chanel, with natural ingredients and eco-friendly packaging. Chanel aims to reduce its carbon footprint by 50% by 2030 and use 100% renewable electricity by 2025. They are also working to use more eco-friendly materials and transport goods by sea.

Supporting Arts and Culture

The Chanel Culture Fund supports artists and cultural projects worldwide. They partner with famous places like the National Portrait Gallery and The Centre Pompidou. The fund also gives an annual prize of €100,000 to ten artists in performing and visual arts.

Yana Peel, who leads arts and culture at Chanel, said that artists help us imagine the future. She explained that Chanel has always supported the arts. Now, through the fund, they want to help creative people who are leading the way forward.

Chanel's Look

The Chanel logo is two interlocking "C" letters, one facing left and one facing right. This logo stands for "Coco Chanel" and is one of the most recognized symbols in the world. It represents luxury and style.

In 2022, Chanel donated €2 million to help Ukraine during the Russian invasion.

Chanel has about 310 stores around the world. You can find them in fancy department stores like Harrods and Neiman Marcus, as well as on famous shopping streets and in airports. In 2015, Chanel paid a record $152 million for a store location in Beverly Hills, California. This was the most expensive retail space ever bought in Los Angeles. In 2020, they bought their main store on Bond Street in London for £310 million.

Trademarks

Chanel protects its brand with trademarks. In 1924, Chanel, Inc. registered the name "Chanel" and the interlocking "CC" logo as trademarks in the United States. These were for perfumes, toiletries, and cosmetics. The famous No. 5 perfume trademark was registered in 1926.

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  Two interlocking Cs for "Coco Chanel", introduced around 1990

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  Perfume label trademark "No. 5 de Chanel" and font, introduced in 1926

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  Logo name and font, introduced in 1924

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  Interlocking Cs used on Chanel products

Fighting Fakes

Like many luxury brands, Chanel products are often copied. An real Chanel handbag can cost around $4,150, while a fake one might cost about $200. Since the 1990s, all real Chanel handbags have a special number to prove they are authentic.

Chanel has taken legal action against companies selling fake products. They also have a website to help customers tell the difference between real and fake Chanel items. Many fashion bloggers also share tips on how to spot fake luxury goods.

Chanel Products

The perfumer Ernest Beaux (1881–1961) created No. 5 de Chanel in 1921.

Chanel presented Perfume No. 5 to the market in 1922; created by Ernest Beaux in 1921

Fragrance

In 1924, Pierre Wertheimer started Parfums Chanel to make and sell perfumes and cosmetics. This part of the business became very profitable. Since then, Parfums Chanel has had four main perfumers:

• Ernest Beaux (1920–1961)
• Henri Robert (1958–1978)
• Jacques Polge (1978–2015)
• Olivier Polge (2015–present)

Fragrance and Skincare counter at Myer in Sydney

Perfumes

Colognes

Makeup and Skincare

Chanel cosmetics are easy to find in department stores worldwide. They have counters in stores like Harrods and Bergdorf Goodman. They also have their own beauty boutiques.

Product Lines

Fine Jewellery

Chanel started its 'High Jewellery' division in 1932. Coco Chanel showed her first diamond jewelry collection in Paris. In 2012, the company made a special collection to celebrate 80 years of these designs. Current collections include High Jewelry, Camelia, Comete, Coco Crush, and Bridal.

Watches

Chanel began making wristwatches in 1987. In 2000, they launched the Chanel J12 line of watches. These watches are made of ceramic and are popular for both men and women. The J12 watches come in different sizes. In 2008, Chanel worked with Audemars Piguet to create a special ceramic clockwork just for Chanel watches.

Wine

Chanel also owns several wineries. These include Château Rauzan-Ségla, Château Canon, St. Supéry Estate Vineyards & Winery, and Domaine de i'lle.

Images for kids

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  Chanel handbag in quilted-leather with adjustable double-chains to wear on the arm or shoulder

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  Belgian King Baudouin and Queen Fabiola visit the Nixon White House with a quilted leather Chanel handbag in 1969.

See also

In Spanish: Chanel para niños

• Belle Époque
• Chanel ready-to-wear collection
• Pink Chanel suit of Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy