1921 UNVEILING OF CHANEL N o 5, CREATED BY ERNEST BEAUX 1910 Gabrielle Chanel opens her first independent millinery shop at 21 rue Cambon in Paris. 1924 Gabrielle Chanel launches her first makeup collection and, in the same year, founds the Société des Parfums CHANEL, dedicated to creating unique high- end fragrance and beauty products. 1926 Gabrielle Chanel creates the daringly simple “little black dress,” a true revolution in the fashion of the time. 1927 CHANEL develops its first line of skincare products. 1932 Gabrielle Chanel presents the Bijoux de Diamants exhibition of fine jewelry, the first time a couturier presented a high-end jewelry collection. 1955 Launch of the 2.55 quilted handbag, which introduced a new style of shoulder strap that allows a woman’s hands to remain free. 1957 Gabrielle Chanel creates the slingback shoe. 1909 CHANEL BEGINS Gabrielle Chanel opens a shop at 160 boulevard Malesherbes in Paris. A HISTORY OF SET TING T HE 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. “IF YOU WERE BORN WITHOUT WINGS, DO NOTHING TO PREVENT THEM FROM GROWING.” — GABRIELLE CHANEL INTRODUCTION