DARK / Ignited By COCO Channel

Chapter #444 Discover Coco Channel and Explore the Story Behind this Gorgeous Fragrance;

Arguably the most famous perfume in the world, Chanel No. 5 is internationally associated with elegance, sophistication and luxury. Its understated design and unmistakeable scent has been promoted by stars such as Catherine Deneuve, Nicole Kidman, Marion Cotillard and even Marilyn Monroe, the latter whom famously stated in an interview that the perfume was all that she wore to bed.

The brainchild of the French businesswoman Gabrielle Bonheur “Coco” Chanel in 1921, Chanel No. 5 was primarily created to counteract the limiting and strong association of perfumes with certain types of women. When designing the scent, Chanel told her perfumer that she wanted to create a fragrance that ‘smell[ed] like a woman, and not like a rose.’

So what’s the story behind the iconic perfume?

Until the early 20th century, fragrances worn by women typically fell into two categories. ‘Respectable women’ preferred simple, understated scents that were the essence of say, a single garden flower. In contrast, sex workers, the demi-monde and courtesans were associated with musky scents that packed a punch.

Chanel herself was once a kept woman from a humble background who used money from her lovers to fund her business ventures. She desired to create a scent that would appeal to both ‘respectable women’ and the demi-monde by creating a scent that blended the allure of aromas like jasmine, musk and flowers that were less understated. This unconventional approach that tied in with the changing feminine, flapper spirit of 1920s women proved a marketing hit.

Moreover, the perfume’s strong percentage of aldehydes allowed the fragrance to linger on the wearer’s skin, which was more practical for busy, ‘modern’ women who focused on more than beauty alone.

Fragrance inspired by CHANNEL

Powerful & long lasting - 100% pure perfume oil - free from alcohol

These are quality impressions of design fragrances. We are not associated in any way with the brands or their manufacturers.