All you need to know about Chanel

Rose van den Toorn
Jan 25, 2018
2 min read

We all know the Chanel logo, but this world wide fashion label ones started small in the capital of the fashion world, Paris.

Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, known as Coco Chanel, is the woman that changed the way we think about fashion and the way we dress now-a-days.

So here is your fashion guide, and this chapter is all about what you need to know about Chanel.

1. The first Chanel store

Coco Chanel opened her first store in 1910 but later on in 1918 she moved her store to 31 Rue Cambon, this beautiful store (picture above) is still open. And it is the oldest active haute couture house.

2. Little black dress

In 1926 a sketch of Coco's design appeared in American Vogue. Vogue described it as the dress of the future. And so it is, we still wear and love the little black dress.

3. Woman suit

Coco may designed the it-dress, but what the most revolutionary design was; is the woman suit. In her time women were not meant to be wearing a suit or "looking professional". By designing the woman suit, women looked like they had power. Isn't Coco a real girl boss!? #girlpower

4. The nuns know it all...

Coco grew up in an orphanage called Aubazine Abbey, the nuns that ran the orphanage taught her to sew.

5. Chanel No. 5

Chanel had nothing to do with Chanel No. 5.

She licensed her name out to a perfumer, he made a few samples and then presented them to Coco. Coco picked the fifth sample, because her favourite number is 5.

Fun fact; it is estimated that someone buys a bottle No. 5 every 30 seconds.

6. Karl Lagerfeld

In 1983 was Karl Lagerfeld named the Art Director of Chanel. At the time the designer was convinced to cancel his contract with Chloé to work at Chanel for an annual salary of 1 million.

7. Spectacular fashion shows