10 CRAZY FACTS YOU NEVER KNEW ABOUT THE BRAND CHANEL
Of course the success of Chanel is largely built on the brilliance of its creator, Coco Chanel. And it goes without saying that the brand is one of the most iconic in the fashion world. But there have been numerous things behind the scenes that have helped its success along the way.
Keep reading to learn 10 surprising facts you may never have known about Chanel!
1. The best selling perfume of all time is Chanel No. 5.
After launch of the perfume in 1921, it very quickly became one of the most iconic and instantly recognisable scents ever and according to data gathered in 2014, it’s officially the best-selling fragrance of all time.
2. A waiting list for nail polish? That’s Chanel!
Chanel’s ‘Rouge Noir’ colour became the first polish ever to sell out and have a waiting list.
3. Coco Chanel invented the suit for women.
The suit was an article of clothing previously only worn by men, but not whilst Coco Chanel was around! Coco is often credited with putting women in pants however she was also the first designer to have women wearing suits, revolutionising women’s fashion to date.
4. Coco Chanel is credited with creating the LBD.
In 1926, Vogue published a photo of a little black dress from Chanel’s most recent collection and referred to it as “Chanel’s Ford,” a reference to the ubiquitous American cars. Many fashion historians regard this as the birth of what we know call the LBD.
5. Chanel's first Paris shop was actually not a couture shop.
It was a hat shop and this first store opened in 1910. Chanel’s first couture shop did not open until 1915.
6. Coco Chanel’s reputation was initially built from her creation of hats.
Before the brand became instantly recognisable globally, Coco Chanel built her reputation in Paris on the exceptionally high quality of her hats. Known as Chanel Modes, these hats took Paris by storm, and every high society woman wanted to have her hands on one.
7. Four of Chanel's five boutiques closed in 1945 because of World War II.
By 1945, Chanel had five boutiques operating in Paris. Sadly, that year four of the shops had to close because of the war; one shop remained open to sell accessories and perfume, as it was wildly popular among the soldiers who would pass through town.
8. Chanel's two-tone shoes aim to make feet look smaller and legs look longer.
Coco Chanel worked closely with cobbler Monsieur Massaro to produce the now-iconic shoes, which were designed with two intentions: to make women’s feet appear daintier and to make their legs appear longer. This shoe is now considered a staple footwear choice of every Chanel woman’s wardrobe.
9. The 2.55 handbag is named for the date is was first released.
Chanel’s iconic bag earned its categorisation from the month and year it was released: February 1955.
10. The 2.55 bag gets more expensive with each passing year.
Chanel's 2.55 handbag is unique in the accessories world in that it truly gets more valuable (and expensive) with each year that goes by! Because the item is in increasing demand, Chanel is able to raise the price on the popular accessory.
By Anna Riad - Fashion Writer for A-SHU.CO.UK.
Keep reading to learn 10 surprising facts you may never have known about Chanel!
1. The best selling perfume of all time is Chanel No. 5.
After launch of the perfume in 1921, it very quickly became one of the most iconic and instantly recognisable scents ever and according to data gathered in 2014, it’s officially the best-selling fragrance of all time.
2. A waiting list for nail polish? That’s Chanel!
Chanel’s ‘Rouge Noir’ colour became the first polish ever to sell out and have a waiting list.
3. Coco Chanel invented the suit for women.
The suit was an article of clothing previously only worn by men, but not whilst Coco Chanel was around! Coco is often credited with putting women in pants however she was also the first designer to have women wearing suits, revolutionising women’s fashion to date.
4. Coco Chanel is credited with creating the LBD.
In 1926, Vogue published a photo of a little black dress from Chanel’s most recent collection and referred to it as “Chanel’s Ford,” a reference to the ubiquitous American cars. Many fashion historians regard this as the birth of what we know call the LBD.
5. Chanel's first Paris shop was actually not a couture shop.
It was a hat shop and this first store opened in 1910. Chanel’s first couture shop did not open until 1915.
6. Coco Chanel’s reputation was initially built from her creation of hats.
Before the brand became instantly recognisable globally, Coco Chanel built her reputation in Paris on the exceptionally high quality of her hats. Known as Chanel Modes, these hats took Paris by storm, and every high society woman wanted to have her hands on one.
7. Four of Chanel's five boutiques closed in 1945 because of World War II.
By 1945, Chanel had five boutiques operating in Paris. Sadly, that year four of the shops had to close because of the war; one shop remained open to sell accessories and perfume, as it was wildly popular among the soldiers who would pass through town.
8. Chanel's two-tone shoes aim to make feet look smaller and legs look longer.
Coco Chanel worked closely with cobbler Monsieur Massaro to produce the now-iconic shoes, which were designed with two intentions: to make women’s feet appear daintier and to make their legs appear longer. This shoe is now considered a staple footwear choice of every Chanel woman’s wardrobe.
9. The 2.55 handbag is named for the date is was first released.
Chanel’s iconic bag earned its categorisation from the month and year it was released: February 1955.
10. The 2.55 bag gets more expensive with each passing year.
Chanel's 2.55 handbag is unique in the accessories world in that it truly gets more valuable (and expensive) with each year that goes by! Because the item is in increasing demand, Chanel is able to raise the price on the popular accessory.
By Anna Riad - Fashion Writer for A-SHU.CO.UK.
