The CHANEL Company/Brand is know for its classic couture and famed fragrance CHANEL No. 5. It’s founder was none other than Gabrielle Bonheur “Coco” Chanel, and it’s last know director (which recently passed away) was the iconic Karl Lagerfeld. The company is estimated to be worth $1.5 billion, with over 120 boutiques worldwide and one of the largest perfume brand in the industry.

CHANEL Company Timeline:

1910- the first shop opened at 21 Rue Cambon in Paris

1913- another boutique was opened in Deauville, France; a line of Jersey garments and collection of sports wear launched

1915- the opening of the first CHANEL Couture House in Biarritz, France

1918- the fashion house is moved to 31 Rue Cambon in France

1921- the unveiling of CHANEL No.5 fragrance created by Ernest Beaux; the use of the iconic interlocking C’s for the first time

1922- CHANEL No.22 launched

1924- first line of CHANEL makeup was launched; “Société Des Parfums CHANEL” was created to come up with unique fragrances and makeup; tweed is used for the first time in Chanel’s designs

1925- GARDENIA fragrance was launched

1926- BOIS DES ILES fragrance was launched (first manly fragrance launched for women); the little black dress launched

1927- CUIR DE RUSSE fragrance was launched; the CHANEL line for skincare launched

1931- Coco Chanel designs for Hollywood Stars

1932- Bijoux De Diamants fine jewelry exhibition

1935- CHANEL employs 4,000 workers and owns 5 boutiques on Rue Cambon

1954- grand re-opening of the Couture House

1955- the CHANEL 2.55 bag launched, POUR MONSEIUER fragrance by Henri Robert was launched

1957- the iconic Two-Toned CHANEL shoe launched

1970- CHANEL No.19 launched

1971- death of Coco Chanel

“May my legend prosper and thrive. I wish it a long and Happy Life!!” -Coco Chanel

1974- CRISTALLE fragrance launched

1978- the Ready-to Wear collection launched

1981- ANTAEUS created by Jacques Polge launched

1983- Karl Lagerfeld was appointed as the creative director or the CHANEL house and designer of the Ready-to-Wear collections

1984- COCO fragrance was launched

1987- the Premiere Watch and CHANEL first line of watches launched

1990- EGOISTE fragrance launched

1993- CHANEL Fine Jewelry and Watch line launched; the venue on 18 Place Vendome becomes the home of this line

1996- ALLURE and ALLURE HOMME launch

2000- J12 CHANEL sports watch launches

2001- COCO MADEMOISELLE fragrance launched

2002- the CHANEL brand once again expanded adding The Metiers D’Art (which consisted of metalworkers, flower and feather craftsmen, milliners, embroiders, shoemakers, goldsmiths, and floral accessory experts)

2003- CHANCE fragrance by Jacques Polge launched

2005- CHANEL at the Met

2006- Rouge Allure lipstick line launched

2007- LES EXCLUSIFS de CHANEL fragrance launched and can only be found is exclusive CHANEL stores

2009- Rouge Coco lipstick launched

2010- BLEU de CHANEL fragrance launched

2011- “Culture CHANEL” international honor bestowed

2012- little black jacket book and photo exhibition launched

2013- No. 5 Culture CHANEL Exhibition in Paris