Chanel is the French luxury fashion house founded in Paris in 1910 by Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel. It began as a hat boutique called Chanel Modes at 21 rue Cambon, rooted in millinery rather than clothing. The house became known for a modern, streamlined women's wardrobe and later expanded into couture, ready-to-wear, handbags, fragrance, jewelry, and watches. Key landmarks include the 1910 millinery debut, the 1913 expansion into Deauville, and the house's long-running association with Paris couture and the Rue Cambon address.
The brand's most recognizable era-defining pieces include the Chanel suit, the little black dress, the 2.55 handbag, No. 5 fragrance, and the tweed-luxe aesthetic associated with Coco Chanel and later creative directors. Chanel is one of the most prominent privately held luxury houses globally, still headquartered in Paris. In 2025, revenue returned to growth, rising to $19.3 billion, with operating profit also up. Matthieu Blazy became Artistic Director of Fashion Activities and debuted his Spring/Summer 2026 show in October 2026, marking a new creative chapter, while a new fragrance manufacturing facility in France opened in February 2026.