The House of Chanel was founded by Coco Chanel in 1910 and retains to this day a powerful influence on the world of fashion. With its timeless elegance, innovative designs, and impeccable craftsmanship, Chanel has consistently defined luxury and style. There are five emblematic pieces that are instantly associated with Chanel and are in no small part the reason for Chanel to be the most recognised luxury brand in the world.
The Little Black Dress
The Little Black Dress (LBD) is definitely one of Chanel’s most significant contributions to fashion. Coco Chanel introduced the concept of a simple, versatile black dress in the 1920s, revolutionizing women’s wardrobes. Chanel believed that elegance was to be found in simplicity and that women should be able to move freely in their clothes. The popularity of an LBD endures to this day and remains a staple in every fashionable woman’s wardrobe partly because of its ability to be dressed up or down and made differently according to the accessories chosen.
Chanel 2.55 Handbag
The Chanel 2.55 handbag, introduced in 1955 by Coco Chanel herself and updated by Karl Lagerfeld is an iconic representation of luxury and style. Its quilted leather, chain strap, and distinctive interlocking CC logo have made it an enduring symbol of status and elegance. The 2.55 was revolutionary in its time, as it was one of the first handbags to feature a shoulder strap, allowing women greater freedom and ease of movement. We still love the shoulder strap found on most of our Chanel bags allowing a cross-body casual look or doubling to give a more ladylike and formal appearance. Some of our favourite Chanel bags have both top handles and chain straps giving even more styling options whilst retaining the core Chanel tradition.
Chanel Suit
Coco Chanel’s vision for women’s fashion extended beyond dresses. She introduced the Chanel suit in the 1920s, consisting of a fitted jacket with a boxy silhouette and a knee-length skirt. The suit challenged conventional notions of femininity by blending comfort with sophistication. The classic tweed versions, often trimmed with braided details, remain a hallmark of the brand’s refined aesthetic and versions are to be found in most high street shops every season. Authentic Chanel jackets are masterpieces of construction and are one of the most sought-after pieces whether new or vintage such as the blue tweed vintage version owned by the Princess of Wales.
Chanel No. 5 Perfume
Chanel No. 5, launched in 1921, is simply the most iconic fragrance in the world. Designed to be a “perfume with the scent of a woman,” it was the first fragrance to feature a high concentration of aldehydes, giving it a unique and captivating character. The minimalist bottle design and Marilyn Monroe’s famous quote about wearing only “a few drops of Chanel No. 5” to sleep in have contributed to the perfume’s legendary status.
Two-Tone Ballet Flats
In the 1950s, Chanel introduced the two-tone ballet flats, which quickly became a favourite among fashion-conscious women. These flats feature a beige toe cap that lengthens the leg and a black body that exudes elegance. The design was revolutionary in its simplicity, offering comfort without compromising style. Lending themselves to anything from skinny jeans to full-on evening glamour the two-tone ballet flats are of course still perennially popular and like all things Chanel have inspired countless imitations.
Looking at the above list of five what strikes us is that with perhaps the addition of a pair of jeans, a pair of black trousers and a coat you have the very essence of the perfect wardrobe that isn’t a capsule on which to build but a complete entity. Coco Chanel, we salute you perhaps not for all your personal opinions or your elusiveness but certainly for your stela fashion sense.
Regards,
Tina
Founder at BagButler.Ldn