The History... OF CHANEL

This timeline of the history of CHANEL was originally published in more detail on Chanel's website and we found it too interesting not to share in a much more abbreviated format with bullet points of events.  It's a whirlwind of more than a century and the respect and tribute the house pays to the legendary Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel is why we know they will be around for another 100 years.

1910 - "Coco" opens a hat boutique at 21 Rue Cambon under the name "Chanel Modes."

1913 - Chanel opens her first boutique in Deauville and begins to sell sportswear.

1915 - Chanel opens her first couture house in Biarritz with over 300 workers.

1918 - Chanel opens the famous 31 Rue Cambon boutique which remains the flagship store today.

1921 - Chanel launches her N°5 perfume in a partnership with perfumer Ernest Beaux.

1924 - Chanel launches her first make-up collection with powders and lipsticks.

1925 - Chanel launches her Gardénia perfume with Ernest Beaux who is now the first in house perfume designer.

1927 - Chanel launches her first skincare range with a total of 15 products.

1928 - Chanel builds "La Pausa" Villa on land she purchased in the South of France.

1931 - Chanel leaves for Hollywood to dress actresses for United Artists Studio.

1932 - Chanel presents more than 45 pieces of high jewelry in her only high jewelry collection.

1939 - Chanel closes her couture house during World War ll along with four other boutiques and only 31 Rue Cambon remained.

1954 - Chanel has a comeback at the age of 71 with a fashion show and the reopening of her couture house.

1955 - Chanel creates the famous 2.55 handbag named after the date of creation.

1956 - Chanel creates the trimmed tweed suit.

1957 - Chanel creates the two-tone pumps.

1970 - Chanel launches her N°19 perfume in a partnership with Henri Robert.

1971 - The legend Gabrilel Chanel dies at her apartment in the Ritz where she had resided for over 30 years.