المقدمة

Chanel: إرث من الثورة والأناقة

من متجر قبعات صغير في باريس إلى واحدة من أشهر دور الأزياء الفاخرة في العالم، قامت Chanel بإعادة تعريف معنى الأناقة والحرية والثقة في اللباس لأكثر من قرن من الزمان.

البداية: من جذور متواضعة إلى أيقونة

غابرييل بونور شانيل وُلدت في 19 أغسطس 1883 في مدينة سومور بفرنسا، ونشأت في حياة مليئة بالصعوبات. بعد وفاة والدتها عندما كانت في الحادية عشرة من عمرها، أرسلها والدها إلى دار أيتام في دير أوبازين، حيث تعلمت الخياطة. عملت لاحقًا كمغنية في مقهى، وحصلت على لقب "كوكو" من أغنية اعتادت أداءها.

بدعم من معجبين أثرياء، من بينهم الضابط الفرسان إتيان بالسان والصناعي الإنجليزي آرثر "بوي" كابيل، افتتحت Chanel أول متجر لها في باريس في عام 1910 في 21 شارع كامبون، حيث كانت تبيع القبعات. ما بدأ كمتجر قبعات صغير سرعان ما تحول إلى شيء أكبر بكثير. وبحلول عام 1913، افتتحت فروعًا في دوفيل ولاحقًا بياريتز، حيث لاقت تصاميمها العملية والمريحة نجاحًا فوريًا.

A New Era: Karl Lagerfeld's Renaissance

In 1983, twelve years after Gabrielle Chanel's death, Karl Lagerfeld was brought in as creative director when the brand was considered nearly dormant. He brought the company back to life, transforming it into a huge success by updating its ready-to-wear fashion line. Lagerfeld made the interlocked CC monogram a style statement and changed the Chanel look by adding padded shoulders, shorter skirts, higher heels, and bolder accessories.

For over three decades, Lagerfeld oversaw every aspect of Chanel's creative output, from designing collections to photographing advertising campaigns and arranging store displays. Under his leadership, Chanel became the protector of haute couture, and he transformed fashion shows into theatrical events, turning the Grand Palais into the venue for spectacular productions starting in 2005.

Lagerfeld passed away on February 19, 2019, at age 85, marking the end of a six-decade fashion career.

Continuing the Legacy: From Viard to Blazy

Virginie Viard, who had worked with Lagerfeld for over 30 years as director of Chanel's Fashion Creation Studio, was named artistic director following his death in 2019. She was the first woman to lead Chanel since Coco Chanel herself. Under her leadership, Chanel's ready-to-wear business multiplied by 2.5, and the brand reported revenues of nearly $20 billion in 2023.

After five years, Viard departed from Chanel in June 2024. In December 2024, Chanel announced Matthieu Blazy, former creative director of Bottega Veneta, as its new artistic director of fashion activities. This marks the first time the brand has recruited an external candidate for the top creative role since Lagerfeld was appointed in 1983. Blazy will oversee all haute couture, ready-to-wear, and accessories collections, and is expected to show his first collection in October 2025.

Chanel Today: Honoring Heritage, Embracing the Future

CHANEL Haute Couture continues to reinvent itself season after season at 31 rue Cambon, staying true to its commitment to excellence and creativity. Each piece is handcrafted in Parisian workshops, with some creations taking from 250 hours for a jacket to thousands of hours for the most extraordinary pieces.

The house works with six specialized workshops, including the only "galon" (braid) workshop in the world, entirely focused on creating this signature detail of Chanel design. As the oldest haute couture house still operating today, Chanel continues to push the limits of craftsmanship and creativity.

What Gabrielle Chanel built was more than a fashion house. She created a way of dressing that speaks to independence, confidence, and natural elegance. From the iconic quilted handbag to the interlocked CC logo, every piece of Chanel tells the story of a woman who refused to follow the rules and, in doing so, changed fashion forever.

Chanel's Global Expansion: From Paris to the World

What began in a small Parisian apartment has grown into a global empire with over 310 boutiques across six continents. Chanel's expansion story is one of strategic vision, cultural adaptation, and unwavering commitment to luxury.

Early American Success

Chanel first opened on Rodeo Drive in 1985, when it hosted a replay of its fall 1985 haute couture show at the Los Angeles Music Center.

Even before establishing its permanent American presence, Chanel had already captured American attention. In 1931, Gabrielle Chanel was invited to Hollywood by studio mogul Samuel Goldwyn to design film costumes for his United Artists studio. (Source: WWD)

Conquering the United States

The American market proved crucial to Chanel's global success. In May 2023, Chanel opened its largest U.S. store in Beverly Hills at 400 North Rodeo Drive, spanning over 30,000 square feet across four floors. The building, designed by architect Peter Marino, features a stunning "Golden Lasso" sculpture of 215 hand-blown glass beads resembling one of Chanel's iconic pearl necklaces.

Most recently, in February 2024, Chanel opened its first U.S. store dedicated solely to fine jewelry and watches at the historic Crown Building at 730 Fifth Avenue in New York. The 3,200-square-foot space was designed by architect Peter Marino and features black lacquer and gold throughout, from textured walls and patterned rugs to tables supporting display cases.

The United Kingdom Connection

In June 2013, Chanel opened its largest flagship store in London at 158-159 New Bond Street, occupying 1,000 square meters (12,600 square feet) in the heart of London's luxurious Mayfair district. Peter Marino designed the store following his work on the label's recently opened Avenue Montaigne store in Paris, with inspiration taken from Coco Chanel's Paris apartment on Rue Cambon.

Opened in 2013, this sprawling edifice stretches across three floors and covers more than 12,000 square feet, housing an exhaustive range of products, from ready-to-wear collections and footwear to fashion accessories, fine jewelry, watches, fragrances, makeup, and skincare. In October 2020, the company purchased its flagship Bond Street boutique for £310 million.

Asia: A Strategic Priority

Asia has become one of Chanel's most important markets, with the brand establishing a significant presence throughout the region. Today, Chanel operates boutiques in major Asian cities including Tokyo, Hong Kong, Seoul, Singapore, and beyond. Each location maintains the house's commitment to craftsmanship, elegance, and personalized service.

From Paris to New York, London to Tokyo, and Dubai to Hong Kong, Chanel has become a truly global brand while never losing sight of its French heritage and the revolutionary spirit of its founder.

إرث من الحرفية: خامات Chanel

يكمن سحر Chanel ليس فقط في التصميم، بل في الخامات التي تمنح إبداعاتها الحياة. يتم اختيار كل خامة بعناية فائقة من حيث الجودة والمتانة والقدرة على التقدم في العمر بجمال. من جلد الحمل الفاخر إلى جلد الكافيار المحبب، كل خامة تروي قصة من الحرفية والفخامة:

جلد الحمل

معروف بنعومته الفائقة وسطحه الأملس والرقيق. غالبًا ما يُرى في حقائب Classic Flap، ويعكس الفخامة الخالصة بلمسة نهائية راقية وأنيقة. يكتسب الجلد مع الوقت لمسة جمالية فريدة، مما يجعل كل قطعة فريدة من نوعها. ومع ذلك، يتطلب التعامل معه بلطف وعناية للحفاظ على مظهره النقي، إذ يمكن أن تظهر عليه الخدوش بسهولة أكبر مقارنة بأنواع الجلود الأخرى.

جلد الكافيار

جلد عجل محبب وأكثر متانة يقاوم الخدوش والتآكل—مثالي للاستخدام اليومي. تم تقديم هذا الجلد المحبب من قبل Chanel في التسعينيات وأصبح بسرعة خيارًا مفضلًا لمن يبحثون عن الجمال والعملية معًا. النمط المحبب البارز لا يضيف فقط لمسة بصرية مميزة، بل يساعد أيضًا في إخفاء العلامات البسيطة، مما يجعله مثاليًا للاستخدام المتكرر.

التويد

توقيع Chanel في الحقائب والملابس، وغالبًا ما يُنسج بألوان مخصصة لكل موسم. مستوحى من حب غابرييل Chanel لأسلوب الريف البريطاني، تتعاون الدار مع مصانع متخصصة لصنع أنماط تويد فريدة تمزج بين التقاليد والتصميم العصري. يتم تصنيع كل قطعة تويد بعناية لضمان تطابق النمط بدقة عبر الخياطات.

الجلد اللامع (باتنت)

أنيق ولامع، يضيف لمسة من البريق للحقائب الصغيرة والإكسسوارات. هذا اللمعان العالي يمنح مظهرًا جريئًا وعصريًا يبرز في أي مناسبة. تتطلب قطع الجلد اللامع عناية خاصة للحفاظ على لمعانها المرآوي ومنع التشقق.

الجلود الفاخرة النادرة

تشمل جلد الثعبان، والتمساح، والتماسيح، وتُخصص للإصدارات المحدودة جدًا. يتم الحصول على هذه الخامات النادرة بشكل مسؤول وتصنع على يد حرفيين خبراء متخصصين في التعامل مع الجلود الفاخرة الرقيقة. كل قطعة فريدة من نوعها، مع اختلافات طبيعية في الملمس والنمط تجعلها مميزة بحق.

جلد العجل المعتق

يُعالج ليمنح مظهرًا عتيقًا وكأنه مستخدم منذ زمن، مباشرة من ورشة العمل. يمنح هذا الجلد الحقائب إحساسًا فوريًا بالأصالة مع الحفاظ على متانتها.

في Sands UAE، ستجد قطع Chanel بهذه الخامات الأيقونية، من الكلاسيكيات اليومية إلى إصدارات المقتنين النادرة. سواء كنت تفضل نعومة جلد الحمل أو متانة الكافيار، فإن كل خامة تعكس التزام Chanel الدائم بالجودة والأناقة الخالدة.

Chanel Fashion Collections: A Year-Round Celebration of Style and Craftsmanship

Chanel’s fashion calendar is thoughtfully structured, with each collection offering a unique vision of the brand’s heritage, modernity, and unparalleled artistry. From couture exclusivity to travel-inspired wardrobes, Chanel crafts timeless elegance for every season and occasion.

Haute Couture

Haute Couture represents the pinnacle of Chanel’s craftsmanship. Presented twice a year in Paris, these one-of-a-kind garments are created entirely by hand in the Chanel ateliers on Rue Cambon. Each piece can take hundreds of hours to complete, with embroidery, hand-finishing, and fittings tailored precisely to the client. Haute Couture collections feature dramatic evening gowns, structured tweed jackets, and ethereal silhouettes—all bearing the house’s signature sophistication and artisanal excellence. Only a select group of clients worldwide can access this ultra-exclusive line, underscoring its rarity.

Ready-to-Wear (Prêt-à-Porter)

Chanel’s Ready-to-Wear line, shown during Paris Fashion Week for Spring-Summer and Fall-Winter seasons, delivers refined fashion that is elegant, wearable, and instantly iconic. Designed for everyday sophistication, this collection includes day dresses, tailored blazers, relaxed separates, and evening looks that reflect current cultural moods with timeless Chanel codes—think boucle tweeds, monochrome palettes, and statement accessories. These pieces are made for boutique availability and are more accessible than couture while maintaining a high level of craftsmanship.

Cruise Collection (Resort)

The Cruise or Resort collection originally catered to Chanel’s jet-set clientele escaping cold winters for sunny destinations. Today, it functions as a key mid-season line, offering relaxed luxury with a spirit of travel and escape. Cruise shows are often held in iconic international locales—such as Venice, Havana, or Monte Carlo—and the clothing reflects a warm-weather ease with floaty fabrics, nautical themes, soft tailoring, and coastal-ready accessories. It bridges the gap between seasons while embodying effortless glamour.

Métiers d’Art Collection

Introduced in 2002 by Karl Lagerfeld, the Métiers d’Art collection pays tribute to Chanel’s artisan partners—specialist workshops known as the “Maisons d’art.” These include legendary French houses like Lesage (embroidery), Lemarié (feather and flower work), Massaro (shoe making), and Maison Michel (millinery). Released annually in December, the collection showcases artistic innovation and exquisite detail, marrying contemporary design with centuries-old techniques. The Métiers d’Art shows often spotlight a city or cultural theme, blending narrative with craftsmanship in a luxurious spectacle.

Pre-Collections (Pre-Fall / Pre-Spring)

Chanel’s Pre-Collections are designed to provide clients with fresh styles between the major runway shows. These capsule lines focus on versatile essentials—layering pieces, knitwear, transitional coats, and accessories—crafted with the same precision and polish as the main collections. Pre-Collections offer a curated wardrobe that is both seasonal and timeless, ideal for those looking to update their closets with everyday sophistication infused with Chanel’s signature elegance.

Chanel and Celebrities: A Star-Studded Legacy

From Hollywood legends to music icons, Chanel has long understood the power of celebrity partnerships. The brand's relationship with stars goes beyond simple endorsements. It's about finding faces that embody the spirit of Chanel itself: confident, elegant, and timeless.

The Icon Effect: From Marilyn to Modern Day

Chanel's connection to celebrity culture dates back to Marilyn Monroe. In her April 1952 interview, Monroe shared: "Once this fellow says 'Marilyn, what do you wear to bed?' So I said I only wear Chanel No. 5."

Catherine Deneuve and Nicole Kidman also joined the ranks of Chanel No. 5 spokesmodels, continuing the fragrance's legacy of associating with iconic women.

Karl Lagerfeld's Vision

Karl Lagerfeld understood the power of celebrity early on, creating a universe of stars that wore Chanel on the red carpet and sat front row at his shows during his 36-year tenure as creative director. He would look to what was bubbling under in pop culture, naming young stars such as Willow Smith when she was just 15, Kristen Stewart when she was fresh off the "Twilight" film trilogy, or personally selecting Blackpink's Jennie well before K-pop stars were front row regulars.

Today's Ambassadors

Chanel's current roster of brand ambassadors includes some of the most celebrated names in entertainment:

Margot Robbie has been an ambassador for Chanel since March 2018, and in 2024, she became the face of Chanel No. 5. "I've just always known about Chanel No.5," Robbie said of her history with the fragrance.

Penélope Cruz was named a Chanel brand ambassador in 2018. In 2024, Cruz appeared alongside Brad Pitt in Chanel's Iconic Handbag campaign, a black and white film inspired by the classic movie "A Man and a Woman."

Lupita Nyong'o was named Chanel's newest brand ambassador in October 2024 after being a friend of the house for over 10 years. "They were one of my first supporters. I remember wearing them as early as 2013 right when my first film, '12 Years a Slave,' came out," Nyong'o told WWD.

Kendrick Lamar was signed as a brand ambassador and face of Chanel's eyewear in April 2025. The rapper had previously appeared at the 2023 Met Gala in a quilted jacket designed by Virginie Viard, and in January 2024, he worked on the set design and soundtrack of Chanel's Spring-Summer 2024 haute couture show. "I visited the Chanel ateliers and saw the process of how something goes from design to execution. Seeing the people who work hard and bring these visions to life resonates with me," Lamar said.

Other notable ambassadors include Kristen Stewart, Riley Keough, Charlotte Casiraghi, Whitney Peak, Vanessa Paradis, and BLACKPINK's JENNIE, each bringing their unique style and influence to the house, representing Chanel's global reach and appeal across generations and cultures.

The brand's celebrity partnerships continue to evolve, attracting stars who appreciate both the heritage and the innovation that Chanel represents. From fragrance campaigns to runway shows, these ambassadors don't just wear Chanel. They become part of its ongoing story.