Gabrielle Chanel was born in 1883 in Saumur, into a modest family. Orphaned at 12, she later decided to move to the city to try her luck. She quickly charmed "Boy," a wealthy soldier who helped her start her career as a milliner. In 1910, she opened her first hat shop at 21 Rue Cambon.

Gabrielle Chanel, known to everyone as "Coco Chanel," soon found success. In 1913, she opened a boutique in Deauville, offering more sportswear-inspired clothing and promoting her unconventional vision of fashion for the time. With the outbreak of World War I, Gabrielle Chanel took refuge in Biarritz, where she opened another successful boutique. After the war, in 1921, she launched her first women’s fragrance, Chanel No. 5, which became an iconic symbol of the brand. Another fashion icon, the little black dress, was created by Gabrielle Chanel in 1926. Simple, elegant, and fluid, it stood in stark contrast to the corsets and trends of the time. In 1928, after a trip to Scotland, she further broke conventions by introducing a collection made with tweed.

After World War II, Coco Chanel, having lived in exile in Switzerland, returned to Paris and once again set trends, such as the beige sandals with black toe caps in 1957. Gabrielle Chanel passed away in 1971, leaving behind a posthumous collection that was highly successful.

The next ten years were not the most glorious for Chanel. Lacking inspiration, the house saw a significant decline. Fortunately, in 1983, Karl Lagerfeld was hired and successfully revived the brand. By combining his own style with Chanel’s iconic heritage, Karl Lagerfeld is often considered Chanel’s direct heir.

Today, Chanel is regarded as one of the great French luxury houses. A true symbol of good taste, Chanel pieces are timeless classics, a must-have in any wardrobe. It is therefore our pleasure to offer Chanel items in our auctions.

Contact our expert for appraisals on Chanel items.