Gabrielle Chanel was born in Saumur (Maine et Loire) August 19, 1883. Upon the death of his mother (she was 12 years old), she was abandoned by his father. She spent her youth in an orphanage in Correze. At age 20, she entered as a salesgirl in a clothing store for ladies in Moulins (Allier). At that time, she feels drawn to the scene and made his debut song in a coffee-concert in the city performing “Who has seen Coco? “Which told the story of a lost dog.
It is often claimed that the song owes its nickname, but it, too, the name given him by his father when she was tiny. (Coco Chanel, a perfume of mystery “by Isabelle Fiemeyer).
In 1908 she met Arthur Capel said “Boy” which was the great love of his life. She then moved up to Paris and joined him in his apartment in the Avenue Gabriel. In 1909, she set up her first millinery shop in a bachelor Boulevard Malesherbes. The following year, thanks to Boy, she moved into larger premises at 21 Rue Cambon, in the 1st arrondissement. At the entrance, on a small plate, one can read: “Chanel Modes”. In the summer of 1913 while staying in Deauville, Boy rents a shop from the casino and hotel Normandy, as in Paris Coco is a milliner (*) but the sign has changed its full name: GABRIELLE CHANEL. The shop is always packed.
(*) At that time, the term meant a millinery designer hats for ladies.
At the beginning of the next summer during the last months of peace it starts in the seam and gets quickly wealthy clients. His rise continued despite the war and in favor of a stay in Biarritz, she opened her first real fashion house. Following his only inspiration, she shortens skirts, removes the size of a word frees the body of the woman in modernizing women’s apparel. She launched the fashion of short hair, popularized the jersey and will hold up to 300 employees before moving back to Paris at 31 rue Cambon.
Ernest Beaux
in 1921, she launched her perfume brand. It was Ernest Beaux entrusting the creation of his first perfume “Chanel No. 5″. Designer fragrance at the court of the Czars of Russia, Ernest Beaux presented to Coco Chanel two sets of samples numbered from 1 to 5 and 20 to 24. She chose the sample No. 5. To the question “What name do you give?”, She replied: “I launch my collection on May 5, fifth month of the year, let him the number he wears No. 5 and this will bring him luck.”
Coco Chanel said that what was inside was much more important than the bottle itself. It will choose a simple glass flask purged and stamp of a black and white label. The avant-garde art is such that the object will be exhibited in New York in 1959 at the Museum of Modern Art and inspire Andy Warhol screenprint pop art.
In 1954, during an interview, a reporter asked Marilyn Monroe what she wore to sleep, the actress replied simply: “a few drops of No. 5. Unintentionally, the statement of Marilyn made a great advertising slogan. How lucky for Chanel, Marilyn has made this admission because, since the No. 5 remains the flagship of the house.
In 2004, Chanel red carpet and dedicated to No.5 advertising film of 2 minutes (the longest in the history of advertising!) Directed by Baz Luhrmann (who are required to “Moulin Rouge”) and starring Nicole Kidman.
Marilyn Monroe
Chanel No.5
Below, the evolution of Chanel No. 5 bottle since its release in 1921 to today:
(For details click on the image right click zoom or size)
evolution of Chanel No. 5 bottle since 1921
Coco Chanel entrusted the manufacture and distribution of its perfumes Pierre Wertheimer, a great businessman, then owner of the Bourjois Company.
Between 1920 and 1930, Coco Chanel launched several new perfumes, including Chanel No. 22 in 1922, RUSSIAN LEATHER 1924, GARDENIA, 1925, 1926 WOOD ISLANDS (composition by Ernest Beaux reconstructed in 1983 by Jacques Polge).
Because of World War II and the closing of his fashion house, there was no further development for many years.
Russia leather
Chanel No. 19 is named after the date of birth of Coco Chanel, this fragrance was composed by the successor of Ernest Beaux, Robert Henri. Chanel No. 19 was launched August 19, 1970, the day of the 87th anniversary of Coco Chanel, then, in 1981, launching of Antaeus.
Coco Chanel in her suite at the Ritz
In 1934, Coco Chanel had decided to move to the Hotel Ritz, Place Vendome. This palace became his place of residence for more than thirty years! She will die January 11, 1971 after a walk in Longchamp Racecourse. After the funeral celebrated at the church of La Madeleine, his body will be transferred to Lausanne (Switzerland), according to his last wishes, Gabrielle Chanel was buried.
In 1974, Henri Robert gave birth to Cristalle.
Karl Lagerfeld
In 1984, Karl Lagerfeld, formerly of Balmain and Patou home is entrusted Chanel-Fashion. In August 1986, he received the Golden Thimble Award for the best collection of Haute Couture. Over the years, collection after collection, he can “adapt” and behave as a faithful disciple of Coco Chanel.
The new “nose”, Jacques Polge, creator of flavors former Givaudan Roure, resume Chanel – Perfume. He composed COCO Mademoiselle Chanel as a tribute to the classic bottle of No. 5 created by Coco Chanel in 1921 will be deliberately set.
Jacques Polge
Coco
EGOISTE was launched in 1990, dominated by the masculine fragrance of Sandalwood Mysore. In 1993, PLATINUM EGOISTE and 1996, launching a new fragrance for women: ALLURE!
Perfume COCO MISS released him in 2002.
The Wertheimer family still holds the majority in society Chanel. In France, the Chanel group employs over 3 000 people, including Bourjois laboratories.
For many years, Chanel use of celebrity faces for the advertising campaigns of Chanel No. 5, including Ali MacGraw, Catherine Deneuve (USA) then Carole Bouquet and most recently Nicole Kidman.
Catherine Deneuve
Carole Bouquet
In 2002, creation of a new fragrance “luck” distributed in the U.S. and Canada. CHANCE appeared in European and Asian countries in spring 2003.
Did you:
The Chanel No. 5 does not meet less than eighty ingredients inside the bottle, faceted, including packaging, today is still done by hand!