Why Choose Chanel?

On August 19, 1883, in Saumur, France, Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel was born. Now, 134 years later, people still revere and remember her name. Chanel is considered one of the most luxurious fashion labels in the world, the name becoming synonymous with elegance, femininity and grace.

In this article, we’ll take a look at the rich history of Chanel and some of its signature items, both of which make up the iconic brand.

A Tale of Elegance and Class

Chanel is endowed with a rich history. Coco Chanel revolutionised fashion and forever changed the way women view their bodies. First, she began by moving away from the traditional styles of the 19 ^th century: constrictive, extravagant and often overbearing clothes and accessories, and rather to softer, more femininepractical pieces. Instead of a thick corset, Chanel gave women the opportunity to wear light silk with simple designs.

*Chanel’s designed were actually considered and compared to mens clothes

One of her most famous designs was the “little black dress”, a concept she created in 1926. The LBD was modern, beautiful and timeless – perfect for women in the 1920s and still applicable for women now. Its simplicity allowed for more striking jewellery to be worn, often being tied with pearls or sophisticated Chanel earrings – both of which are works of art in their own right.

A Revolutionary in Women’s Fashion

Her other notable design was the women’s suit, a completely new concept in the 1920s. The Chanel suit expanded the clothing choices for women, many of whom were looking to move away from tight-fitted dresses. The suit was given soft and well-fitted fabric, making it perfect for a mobile and modern lifestyle.

Often, the suits came in colours that had been traditionally associated with masculinity, such as dark blue and tweed, which left a unique impression upon the European market. Nowadays, these suits are still worn by businesswomen, often with luxury accessories like a Chanel handbag and a necklace of pearls.

The Chanel handbags were another success story. The House of Chanel created leather handbags. For easy carrying, they came with chains that were either gold or metal-and-leather, which made it socially acceptable for women to carry handbags on their shoulders.

After the leather handbags followed quilted leather versions, which were dubbed ‘handbags 2.55’ as they came out in February of 1955. The handbags came with a Mademoiselle Lock, a name they received because Coco Chanel never married. This design is still used today, in modern Chanel handbags.

It is no wonder that the brand is still so famed today. Chanel redefined what it meant to be fashionable and created items that were so timeless they are still able to be worn today. The brand does not represent just luxury couture: they represent a lifestyle of grace, beauty and ease.

Enquire about Our Vintage Chanel

Here at Harrington & Co, we have a variety of Chanel products, from shoes to earrings and, of course, the classic handbags. If you would be interested in purchasing Chanel or would like to speak with a company representative, please call us on 07 3891 3880 or visit our contact page.