One of the biggest luxury houses of its time,
and now just a mere household name today (especially if you ask me)!
Founded in 1910 by Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel in Paris, come the 1920s the name “Chanel” would find itself on the tips of everyone’s tongue (with funding by (Jewish brothers) Pierre and Paul Wertheimer of course). Every fashion house has that one thing that really cemented them, and was the catalyst of their reign.
In 1926 Chanel introduced the modern day Little Black Dress concept.
Sure they had released fragrances, makeup, and even the signature tweed suit earlier that year but it was the Little Black Dress that was pivotal.
The present does not exist without a past, so here’s a little HISTORY.
Chanel was known Nazi sympathizer with ties to the Nazi Party. She was even exposed to be an informant (although she wasn’t charged for it).
In 1941 the Wertheimer brothers would come to own over 50% of the Chanel empire. That same year Coco Chanel would make a legal attempt to snatch the Wertheimer’s share right from under them using Aryan Law (laws that basically deemed Jews as inferior and banned Jews from owning businesses). Unbeknownst to her the Wertheimer brothers (secretly) handed their share over to a French man, before fleeing France escaping the Nazi occupation. Due to the ongoing war (World War 2 (1939-1945)) the fashion house closed down all stores, but one in 1945. 9 years later in 1954 Coco Chanel would make a comeback AND Pierre Wertheimer would have full control of the luxury house Chanel (in exchange for paying all of Coco Chanel’s bills until her death 10 January, 1971). She goes on to introduce the iconic 2.55 handbag (along with Chanel’s first male fragrance making its debut) in 1955, and the brand's iconic two-tone shoes two years later.
Pierre is gone (1965) before the passing of Chanel, but control is inherited by his son Jacques. In 1973 control of the luxury house is relinquished to a 25 year old, Jacques’ son Alain (after some serious convincing).
In 1983 the Wertheimers would appoint Karl Lagerfeld as the artistic director of Chanel’s fashion division. Honey, they could NOT have found Chanel a better successor! Lagerfeld did something I don’t think any other person could have done, bringing Chanel into the new, modern world. Keeping Chanel more than just a float and relevant. Yes Coco Chanel made a name for herself, but it was Karl Lagerfeld who made the brand a luxuriant leader of couture and synonymous with high fashion.
Present Day (post Lagerfeld)
Karl Lagerfeld left us February of 2019. He took his lasy dying breath as Chanel’s artistic director.
Upon his passing, the torch is then given to Virginie Viard (Lagerfeld’s right hand man woman).
In my opinion it seems like since 2020 Chanel has just been……. maintaining, just getting by (in a sense). I remember being excited for both their S/S and F/W Haute Couture looks and Ready To Wear and now it’s….. eh. It’s certainly clear that “that” era of Chanel is over and it’s now in an era of ugly. My biggest gripe is with the bags! Their bags now just look so cheap and tacky to me. If it’s not cheap looking it looks like something my grandmother would love (and there’s nothing wrong with that). I however am not a grandmother, so I will leave the Chanel bags alone.
If I do buy Chanel it won’t be anything current/recent that’s for sure! It will definitely be a piece pre Virginie Viard and
from the time when quality and style actually carried a luxury brand and not just their name.
It can’t be just me thinking this! What are your thoughts?
The main association I currently have with Chanel is with Margot Robbie's red carpet looks.
Now why you make me google Virginie Viard ass to see if she was a man. I see both in her and why are these wealthy people allowed to walk around with their fucking teeth like that!!!! That shit irritates me deeply. Too damn old to walk around with them teeth.