Hey there
Chanel lovers! Today I want to give you an insight into the history of Chanel
and some iconic looks and staple pieces we associate with Chanel. Sit back and
enjoy reading…
About Chanel
Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel was
born on the 19th august 1883 in France. She was born to unmarried parents
who also had two other daughters. Chanel grew up in an orphanage which is where
she learnt to sew. She was later given the nickname ‘coco’ which she is
commonly known as today.
Chanel was founded in 1909 as a high end
fashion house. Coco Chanel was a fashion designer and wanted to show elegance
through her designs and collections. This was in dresses, suits, trousers,
ready to wear items and even accessories. The brand wanted to be known for luxury
goods and couture fashion. Chanel changed the way of fashion for ladies making
suntans acceptable and having more tailored and masculine outfits such as
collared shirts with ties. Coco Chanel was he first designer to create a
fragrance which is still popular today and influencing other designers in to
creating their own. In 1983, Karl Lagerfeld became chief designer of Chanel and
is still in that position today keeping the Chanel brand running strong. There are
now over 370 stores worldwide with Chanel being one of the most iconic brands
ever. Kendal Jenner and Cara Delavigne, just two of many celebrities have been
seen walking in runway shows for fashion week and also wearing the brand at
events.
The Little
Black Dress
The little
black dress was made famous by Chanel.
It is usually an evening or cocktail dress which made its name by Chanel
in the 1920’s. It was created to be versatile, affordable and widely available.
Soon after, it later got its nickname ‘LBD’ which people today still use. The
lbd is an essential item in every ladies wardrobe. It can be dressed either up
or down making it versatile which it was set out to be. The Chanel lbd from
1926 made its appearance in vogue making it more and more popular. This is an
iconic item that most people are still wearing today or that they have in their
wardrobe. Majority of high street stores stock the little black dress and is a
staple item. Today there are some different takes on the little black dress
which designers and stores have created. Each season in fashion, a lbd has been
seen styled in various ways and made in different fittings. This is the 21st
centuries way of putting a modern spin on an old classic. Celebrities and faces
of the fashion industry have been seen wearing takes on the little black dress,
inspiring others to wear it and stores to stock it.
The Chanel
Suit
Lots of
clothing in the Chanel fashion house had leather trims, gold logo buttons and
quilted fabrics. Having the garment quilted kept its form and shape. The Chanel
suit was most commonly woollen. It consisted of a boxy jacket and knee
length skirt made from the same material and coordinating with each other. This
was usually accompanied by the Chanel quilted handbag. A modern take on the Chanel
suit is two piece coords. On the high street and high-end, retailers are
creating matching two piece outfits, many of these being tailored and suit
inspired from the Chanel suit. Some however are skirts and shirts with the same
pattern. The Chanel suit is an iconic look which inspires many designers today
to but their own take on it and make it interesting however it will always be a
classic look.
The Quilted
Chanel bag
Since Chanel
was first founded, the quilted handbag has been one of the most classic,
iconic, staple items. The quilted bag is like the equivalent to the little
black dress…everyone needs and wants a quilted handbag. The chic bag can be
dressed up or down and is a staple item which every girl would love. The first
quilted Chanel bag was created in February 1955 however it was not the first Chanel
bag. One of the reasons it was created was for its practicality. "I
got fed up with holding my purses in my hands and losing them, so I added a
strap and carried them over my shoulder," Chanel was reported as saying in
Coco Chanel by Justine Picardie. The
bag itself is said to be inspired by Coco’s love for equestrian with the
quilted leather and chain straps from the horses. In today’s fashion, staple
bags are a key item. The quilted bag has influence retailers and designers to
create their own line of bags with a different meaning. Louis Vuitton have some
of the most iconic bags with the styles and prints. Designers have realized that
creating an iconic piece and changing it slightly can make them become better
known for their product. Michael Kors also have their range of bags which look
the same however they come in different colours and sizes. High street
retailers try and create their own replicas from designers as they too realize that
a staple iconic bag can sell.
