INTRODUCTION A HISTORY OF SETTING THE TREND FOR LUXURY The House of CHANEL was founded by a unique, powerful, atypical woman. By shaping her own world, Mademoiselle Chanel influenced the entire world around her, fundamentally changing perceptions of style for everyone. 1909 1921 CHANEL BEGINS o UNVEILING OF CHANEL N 5, Gabrielle Chanel opens a shop at CREATED BY ERNEST BEAUX 160 boulevard Malesherbes in Paris. 1910 1924 1932 Gabrielle Chanel opens her first Gabrielle Chanel launches her Gabrielle Chanel presents the independent millinery shop at first makeup collection and, Bijoux de Diamants exhibition 21 rue Cambon in Paris. in the same year, founds the of fine jewelry, the first time Société des Parfums CHANEL, a couturier presented a dedicated to creating unique high- high-end jewelry collection. end fragrance and beauty products. 1955 1926 Launch of the 2.55 quilted Gabrielle Chanel creates handbag, which introduced the daringly simple “little black a new style of shoulder strap dress,” a true revolution in the that allows a woman’s hands fashion of the time. to remain free. 1927 1957 CHANEL develops its first line Gabrielle Chanel creates of skincare products. the slingback shoe. “IF Y OU WERE BORN WITHOUT WINGS, DO NOTHING TO PREVENT THEM FROM GROWING.” — GABRIELLE CHANEL