Chanel PRESENTATION

House OF

Chanel

The History

CAmila B.

section 01 The creator

Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel

The House of Chanel begins with the woman who created a name for herself. Through her desire to be independent during a harsh period in the world, we recived works from a brilliant designer who shaped womens wear until today.

Chanel History

Born in Saumur France in 1883 Chanel lived a troubled childhood, At eighteen she began her career working in tailoring and as a singer and dancer in a cafe to make a living. In this cafe, she met a romantic partner who would then allow her to advance in her career financially. Her designs began to make a name for herself. She moved to Paris to further enlarge her career. Chanel was introducing a new image of the feminine look in the 1920s,

Chanels Influence

She along with other designers showcased sporty and flowy garments that were more practical for the war period. This aesthetic was shown in her new store in Deauville selling her sportswear collection. These garments were made of jersey fabrics which were more commonly found in menswear. In 1915 Chanel opened another store in Biarritz and her first couture house in Paris in 1918. In 1920 Gabrielle introduced her first and most famous perfume Chanel N°5. During this same time, she was playing with the design of black dresses. She adopted black into her collections in a new and admirable light.

Chanels Works

In 1924 Chanel’s tweed blazer was inspired by Duke Westminster. War was very prevalent during this period and Gabrielle decided to close her shops and take a break. She then became romantically involved with an Officer residing in the Ritz and later retired to Switzerland. In 1954 Chanel returned to Paris and back into the fashion business. Gabrielle Chanel stood with her belief that women should not be constrained and re-introduced her silhouettes. This is when Chanel re-introduced the tweed jacket into a women’s suit. In the 1955s she presented us with her most famous bag Chanel 2.55. She designed the iconic two-toned shoe which was made to create the illusion of smaller feet with longer legs. Through famous celebrities, Chanel was once again everywhere. Sadly, on January 10th 1971, Gabrielle Chanel passed away in her apartment.

section 02 the SUCCESSOR

Karl Lagerfeild

1983 Allen Wertheimer, the owner of Chanel, named Karl Lagerfeld as the artistic Director of Chanel. 1983 He debuted his first Chanel collection paying homage to her original work from the 20s and 30s. Chanel’s long-standing clients disliked the brand’s turn in a contemporary direction. Although he stayed loyal to Chanel’s signature look in the 80s, in the 90s Lagerfeld experimented largely with his designs with bolder pieces and more maximalist styles.

Karls Continuation

Despite criticism, Karl Lagerfeld had already brought a new life into Chanel and with that, new buyers. Karl Lagerfeld, like Chanel, used the marketing tools of popular models and actresses to exhibit his designs in runways. The brand’s most popular and profitable products had been the handbags in the 80s. Being how Chanel accessories were the reason for the brand’s success, in 1987 Karl Lagerfeld released a line of watches resembling the shape of the Chanel perfume bottles. Even throughout countless moral controversies and legal allegations, Karl Lagerfeld maintained his career successfully and was sponsored almost every TV show, until the end of his life. He passed away sadly on February 19 2019. His last collection served as his Funeral as his closest relations walked the runaway in his honor.

Virginie Viardi

Virginie Viard was appointed the current artistic director of the House of Chanel. It was obvious though that she would continue the brands legacy as she we very close to Lagerfeld and was named Lagerfeld's right hand. She had been with Chanel since 1987. Unfortunately though her work has not seemed to light the attention of any critic and is actually not meeting up to the standard of Chanel’s legacy. I hope the brand will regain its Iconic nature and build itself back up once again.

Chanel Timeline

Death of Gabrielle Chanel

Two-toned Slingbacks

Chanel N°5

Little Black Dress

Coco Returns

Chanel's First Store

1971

1926

1921

1954

1957

1910

1883

1913

1924

1940

1955

1960

sportwear for women using jersey fabric.

Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel was born

Tweed Influence

Height of Carear

Temporarily Retires

the 2.55

Chanel Timeline

Cruise Collection in Cuba

Satellite Love Collection

Fall, Winter RTW campaign

Karl Lagerfeld reinterprets Chanel

Chanel Fine Jewelry

2015

1996

2002

1983

1993

2019

1995

1987

2001

2005

Death of Karl Lagerfeldand Virginie Viard appointed

Show at Grand Palais

Cruise Collection

Spring summer RTW campaign

First Watch Collection

Citation

https://www.chanel.com/us/about-chanel/the-history/1910/ https://www.lofficielusa.com/fashion/gabrielle-chanel-history https://digscholarship.unco.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1177&context=urj#:~:text=Best%20seen%20through%20propaganda%20posters,breadwinner%20and%20step%2Din%20father.

https://www.thestylebouquet.com/2018/07/11/timeline-coco-chanel/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ7mrJuLykg&t=1s