The Origins of Chanel

Hey everyone! Long time no see! Welcome back to Haute Take! 

First off, I owe you all an apology for going MIA these past few weeks—life has been a little crazy (as always), but we’re back and ready to dive into some serious fashion history! And what better way to kick things off than by talking about one of the most iconic fashion houses of all time—Chanel. 

So, let’s rewind to the beginning. Chanel wasn’t always the powerhouse it is today. In fact, it wasn’t even the oldest haute couture brand. Hermès (founded in 1837) holds that title, followed by Louis Vuitton (1854) and Lanvin (1899). Chanel, founded in 1910 by none other than Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, was actually fourth in line. But trust me, what it lacked in timing, it more than made up for in impact. 

The first known portraits of Chanel wearing her own hat design

Coco started her fashion career as a milliner (aka hat designer), opening a boutique called Chanel Modes in Paris. A few years later, in 1913, she officially launched the brand we now know and love, expanding and opening a second boutique in Deauville, Normandy. She quickly ventured into sportswear (which we discussed last blog), which, at the time, was revolutionary. Women in the early 1900s were still rocking corsets and super structured dresses, so Coco’s effortless, comfortable designs were a total game-changer. 

Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel

But let’s talk about Coco herself for a minute. Her life was... complicated, to say the least. She was born into poverty in 1883 in a tiny rental in Saumur, France. Her mother worked as a laundry woman, and her father was a traveling salesman who was barely ever around. When her mother passed away, Coco and her sisters were sent to a convent orphanage, where she was raised by nuns who taught her to sew, though she apparently hated sewing and never actually made the garments herself later on. Fun fact, the classic black and white modest aesthetic was inspired by the nuns’ habit that she grew up surrounded by (crazy).

Fast forward a few years, and Coco was introduced to high society through her relationships with very wealthy men (such as Étienne Balsan and Arthur "Boy" Capel). With their financial help and connections, she was able to establish her brand (helloooo networking). By 1918, she had secured another location in Paris, which is actually still Chanel HQ today! 

Now, let’s talk about one of Chanel’s biggest contributions: Chanel N°5. In 1921, Coco collaborated with perfumer Ernest Beaux to create what would become one of the most iconic fragrances of all time. It was the fifth scent he presented to her, and since 5 was her lucky number (which also happens to be my lucky number...twin), she went with it (talk about branding genius). The minimalist bottle and luxurious scent made it an instant classic, especially after Marilyn Monroe famously said she wore “nothing but Chanel N°5 to bed”.  

Then came the Little Black Dress. Before Chanel, black was mostly reserved for mourning, but in 1926, she flipped the script and introduced the “little black dress” as the ultimate symbol of chic simplicity. Vogue even called it "the Ford of fashion", as it was as classic and timeless as a Ford car. 

Of course, Chanel’s history isn’t all glamour and success. The brand faced serious challenges during World War II, and Coco herself was involved in some pretty controversial situations (including a relationship with a German officer). After the war, she stepped away from fashion for a bit, but in 1954, she made a comeback with a new collection that redefined women’s fashion once again. The iconic tweed suit? That’s all Coco. The quilted handbag with the chain strap? Also her. 

After Coco’s passing in 1971, the brand struggled for a bit, until Karl Lagerfeld took over in 1983. Karl took Chanel’s legacy and completely reinvented it, making it bolder, edgier, and more modern while still keeping that classic Chanel elegance that Coco envisioned. Under his leadership, Chanel became the ultimate luxury fashion house, expanding into jewelry, handbags, and even acquiring specialty workshops to preserve traditional craftsmanship.

Today, Chanel is still thriving, pulling in billions of dollars every year, and while the brand is currently in a bit of a transition phase after the departure of Karl’s successor, Virginie Viard, one thing is for sure: Chanel isn’t going anywhere. 

So, what do you guys think? Do you have a favorite Chanel piece or era? Let me know! And I promise, no more disappearing acts—I’ll see you all in the next post.  

Xoxo, 

Leah <3