The Chanel Logo: The Origin, Design, and Meaning Behind a Legendary Status Symbol
The House of Chanel and its iconic logo is undeniably one of the most recognized logos in the world.
It’s the ultimate symbol of prestige, luxury, and class coveted the world over.
Bold, minimalist, and unapologetic in its timeless sophistication, anything it graces – bags, jewelry, perfume bottles – becomes irresistible objects of desire.
French, sporty & effortlessly chic. In as much as this house is known for its two-piece tweed suits and the little black dress, it’s also indispensably connected to the personality who created it – Madame Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel.
The Chanel Logo: Creation and Design
“Simplicity is the keynote of all true elegance.”
- Coco Chanel
The Chanel logo was designed by Coco Chanel in 1925.
It’s composed of two bold interlaced “C”s that mirror each other.
The simple, strong shapes of the letters evoke the authoritative elegance of simplicity based on Coco’s philosophy of “less is more.”
The logo is black – a signature color with significant meaning for the house.
During her time, black was commonly reserved only for mourning and religious vestments. The color was considered inappropriate for social or fashion purposes.
Then along came Madame’s introduction of the ‘Little Black Dress’ that changed everything. She single-handedly revolutionized the concept of black as the ultimate fashion color, forever associating the color to the brand.
What Does the Chanel Logo Represent?
The double CC is commonly known to stand for ‘Coco Chanel.’
Chanel was born Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, but her friends and associates called her by the nickname Coco.
There are a couple of lively anecdotes behind how she acquired the nickname.
One account claims that she was given the nickname “Coco” during a brief stint as a cabaret singer. As the story goes, she was dubbed the moniker for the songs she sang, such as “Ko Ko Ri Ko” and “Qui qu’a vu Coco dans l’Trocadéro?”
Another story alleges that Chanel herself claimed that Coco was short for ‘cocotte,’ the French word for ‘kept woman.’ This was because she enjoyed mistress status with prominent society men, some of whom, believing in her talents, financially supported her business and career.
Whether these tales had any truth to them, it only underscores the spirit of the woman behind the brand!
Timelessness Never Goes Out of Style
“Fashion changes, but style endures.”
- Coco Chanel
The one constant about fashion is that it’s constantly changing and evolving. As such, many fashion houses have gone through numerous logo updates over the years to appeal to the changing times.
But not so with Chanel.
The astonishing fact about the Chanel logo is that the original design from 1925 has never been altered since its creation.
This is a profound testament to the perfection and timeless appeal of Chanel’s design aesthetic and image.
If you’re considering acquiring a bag that withstands the fickle changes of fashion yet always remains at the height of style, elegance, and sophistication, consider a Chanel bag to add to your collection.
We at Madison Avenue Couture offer an exclusive inventory of exquisite Chanel bags of your dreams.
Your new Chanel bag gives you access to an iconic and fabled story that you’re invited to be a part of… A story specially reserved for the modern, independent, and irresistibly alluring Chanel woman.
Shop our carefully curated selection of the most coveted Chanel bags today.