The House of Chanel is a French fashion house founded by Gabrielle Chanel, known as Coco Chanel, in 1910. Chanel began as a milliner, designing hats for wealthy clients in Paris. In 1913, she opened her first boutique in Deauville, France, where she sold her hats and later expanded to clothing.

During World War I, Chanel closed her boutique and focused on creating clothing for women that was comfortable and practical, while still stylish. She popularized the “little black dress” and introduced sportswear and jersey fabrics into high fashion.

In the 1920s, Chanel launched her first perfume, Chanel №5, which became an instant success and is still one of the most popular fragrances in the world today. She also introduced costume jewelry and handbags to her fashion line, including the iconic Chanel 2.55 handbag.

Chanel’s success continued throughout the 1930s and 1940s, despite the outbreak of World War II. She closed her shops during the war but continued to design clothing and costumes for film productions. After the war, she reopened her boutique in Paris and continued to innovate in fashion, introducing the now-famous Chanel suit, with its boxy jacket and slim skirt.

In 1954, Chanel introduced a new collection that was initially met with mixed reviews. However, the collection eventually became a success and is now known as the “Chanel Look.” This included tweed suits, quilted handbags, and the signature Chanel logo.

After Chanel’s death in 1971, Karl Lagerfeld became the creative director of the House of Chanel. Lagerfeld continued to build on Chanel’s legacy, introducing new collections and expanding the brand’s reach globally.

Today, the House of Chanel is one of the most iconic and recognizable fashion brands in the world, known for its classic designs and luxurious fabrics. It continues to be a leader in high fashion and is helmed by Virginie Viard, who took over as creative director after Lagerfeld’s death in 2019.