Diving Deeper: History & Origins of Chanel's Logo

A logo is more than just a symbol. It represents identity and purpose and gives a brand something to stand by. 

Think about all the times you’ve seen a logo on an item. Even though it is a small artefact, it has a powerful presence, and it says a lot about the person using the item, too. 

Each logo is unique to the brand. Some are simpler and subtle, while others are louder and bolder. 

Logos convey professionalism and act as a distinguishing component, but they also represent the brand's values. 

Like many brands, Coco Chanel too features an aesthetic logo. Infact, the couture is ranked to have one of the most chic logos in the fashion industry. 

While Chanel is certainly noted for its quality merchandise, it's also recognised for the history embodied in the logo.

What seems like a simple crossover between two C’s has a larger meaning behind it. 

Let’s break it down. 

A Brief History 

The CC logo was created in 1925 by Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel. She was a designer and founder of the brand—a woman known for changing the dynamics of the fashion industry. 

Chanel revolutionised the fashion industry by introducing newer types of women's wear that didn’t fit the traditional standards.

For instance, she introduced trousers for women that not only provided better comfort but also served a seamless blend of masculinity and femininity.

Her designs were a breakthrough, liberating women from restrictive corsets and layers to more comfortable alternatives. 

Moreover, she didn't just use clothing to redefine fashion. 

She also introduced the famous Chanel No. 5. A groundbreaking perfume known for its bold scent, far different from the floral fruity scents that were popular in those days. 

To this day, it is said that a bottle of Chanel No. 5 is sold every 30s!

Chanel was a bold and powerful woman who ran her business at a time when men dominated the fashion industry. 

Chanel’s Logo: A Simple Yet Bold Testament

Chanel’s logo is composed of two bold “C” letters that are crossed over each other. 

The letters are encased in a circular frame and are: 

• Capital 
• Bold 
• Clean-cut

These features indicate simplicity, which is also reflected in most of Chanel’s designs.

Underneath the logo is the brand's name in bold and uppercase letters. 

The letters are not particularly decorated, and they use a standard sans-serif font that indicates professionalism and elegance. 

Furthermore, the double Cs are symmetrical, offering a pleasant visual appeal. 

The logo aligns with Coco's philosophy, where she believes that representation does not have to be excessive. 

“Less is more.”

She had strong opinions when it came to how a woman should dress. 

The designer believed that being well dressed is the closest thing to being "naked,” i.e., the most authentic version of oneself. She conveyed that message through her minimalistic logo. 

Colour of The Logo

The standard Chanel logo is black. 

While this may seem bleak and soulless to some, black is the epitome of "sexiness.”. 

Beyond fashion, black evokes a sense of mystery and aura. It is a colour that signifies grace and timelessness. 

Black clothes (Chanel's hallmark), in particular, offer a better body silhouette and act as a canvas for wearers to accessorise as they please, allowing one to feel confident in one's own skin. 

It is worth mentioning that the black logo acts as a representation of defiance too. 

Chanel challenged social norms and introduced black as a colour of fashion. 

What was once reserved for religious and mourning purposes now acted as a fashion staple.

The Chanel logo is commonly printed over a white background. The play of two colours evokes a powerful meaning. Black represents boldness, while white represents humility.

On Chanel’s products, however, the emblem tends to have gold or silver hues. Again, exuding a sign of wealth and luxury. 

Resilience and Strength 

Unlike contemporary designers, Coco Chanel was not always a wealthy woman. 

After her mother died, she was sent to an orphanage, where she spent most of her youth. She often resented talking about her childhood, saying that the nuns were not “tender” and that she was not loved.

Amongst other rituals, she grew up learning sewing and was reported to have endured a difficult time. 

Burdened by the pressures of raising a family, her father dropped her off at church. 

She often told the girls that he would be back for her after he became rich, but in reality, she never saw him again. 

By the time she turned 20, she had moved to the capital and started befriending influential people. 

As she moved up the social ladder, many upper-class men recognised her for her talent and facilitated her business. 

Initially, she designed and sold hats. As time went on, she opened more stores and started selling clothing. 

It is said that her success came about after she honed her skills and created a dress out of an old jersey. 

Her element won many's attention, leading her to launch No. 5, which was a massive hit. 

After the perfume came the iconic “little black dress.”

It was this apparel that shaped Chanel’s pathway to success. The LBD was composed of a simple knee-length black dress with minimal embellishments—a flattering addition every woman wanted to add to her wardrobe. 

Seeing Coco’s stories, we can conclude that she has a fair share of difficulties in life. Despite this, she thrived on a vision and created her brand. 

The logo offers a reminder of overcoming adversity and believing in one's self. 

Timelessness 

Since 1925, Chanel’s logo has remained the same. It has never been changed and still stands true to its roots.

Interestingly, other brands like Gucci and Hermes took inspiration from Chanel. They, too, have simple logos, but Chanel came up with the design first. 

Apart from encouraging women to break through the silent and modest norms, the logo indicates staying true to value and being real. 

In the ever-changing world of fashion, most brands change their marketing strategy to remain relevant. Whether it's by tweaking logos or changing designs, they tend to defeat the purpose of the brand to “fit in”.

Chanel, however, seems to ditch the chase. 

It has been producing the same key designs (with minor variations, of course) and has maintained the same ethos throughout. 

They are essentially causing it to stand as one of the top luxury brands to this day.

The logo serves as a poignant representation of remaining authentic to one’s purpose. 

What does the CC stand for?

At first glance, most people would interpret the Cs to mean “Coco Chanel.”. After all, it makes sense to name a company after one's name.

However, there are a few speculations about the true meaning behind the interlocked Cs. 

Some claim that the Cs serve a romantic remainder of Chanel and Capel, who was one of Chanel's long-term love interests. 

It was “Boy” Capel who believed in her first and supported her idea to start a business. 

It is possible that the Cs were set to symbolise their love and collaboration. 

Others claim that the Cs are meant to be horseshoes. 

This could stem from the fact that horses are considered a sign of protection and good luck. 

Furthermore, horseback culture was often associated with nobility. Upper-class men and women had a tendency to play sports or horse races as a recreational activity. 

It could be that the logo was designed that way to capture the attention of nobles. 

Inspiration

Some stories suggest that the logo was inspired by the orphanage where Coco was raised. 

Stained glass windows were a common trend in Aubazine Chapel. They featured interlaced curves that may have inspired the birth of the logo.

Additionally, it is said that she adopted the number 5 for her perfume inspired by stars in the walkway. 

She associated 5 and 13 (an otherwise unlucky number) to be her lucky numbers. 

Some say the colour palette of the logo was inspired by the nuns she dealt with. 

Symbolism 

Chanel's clean-cut logo and emblem serve as its brand identity, allowing others to instantly recognise the brand.

The design of the logo is simple yet memorable. 

Even without the emblem, navigating what brand the “CC” represents doesn't take a second.

Chanel's iconic logo imparts excellence and harmony. The proximity between the letters could also denote the relationship between the business and customers.

If you look closer, you'll find that the interlocking Cs have an oval shape between them.

It is a subtle feature that could have many meanings, but most people interpret the space as an eye. 

An eye is a gesture that indicates wisdom and light. Metaphorically, it could also represent vision and intelligence. 

Coco Chanel: Other Fun Facts

It goes without saying that Gabrielle's work is/was marvellous. 

Even after her passing, the brand lived on and served as an example for many leading designers.

Despite countless challenges, Chanel was able to establish an identity for herself. 

While she had the option of complaining about her situation, she chose to respond differently, which eventually brought her success. 

Her utmost confidence in herself set the tone for the brand too. 

She often believed that she was remarkably talented and irreplaceable.

“I don't do fashion. I am fashion”.

Interestingly, Coco was involved with multiple lovers throughout her life, but she never chose to get married. 

She was not ashamed of the fact that she was a mistress and took advantage of the opportunity. A striking contrast to what was expected of women in those days!

Her original business location was a flat that belonged to Balsan, a nobleman who served the French sporting and hunting elite. She then befriended his friend, Chapel, who funded her independent venture.

Following her success, several upper-class men sent proposals to the designer, which she ended up refusing.

When asked about turning down the opportunity to be a "Duchess,” she said that there are several Duchesses in the region but only one Coco Chanel. 

It could serve as a message today, too. 

There are many luxury brands, but nothing compares to shopping, like shopping from Chanel. 

Chanel's Logo: An Impression Set for Centuries

Coco Chanel's impact was so strong that the brand went on to produce necklaces and earrings simply denoting the emblem.

The brand even released T-shirts that featured the logo on them. 

Typically, these were plain cotton shirts in black or white. All they had printed on them was the “CC” logo in a different colour, in either a single or multiple pattern. 

As dull as the design may seem, these shirts were a bestseller because of the logo. It seems that people wanted to remain synonymous with the simplicity and sophistication of the brand.

Even centuries later, many invest in Chanel's name regardless of how “normal” or outdated the item is. Popular examples include buying and reselling limited edition bags. 

More than the item customers pay to be associated with the image. By wearing double Cs, one yells confidence and class without uttering a word. 

Conclusion 

Chanel doesn’t only mean expensive products—it is also one of the most in-demand luxury brands.

While its success is attributed to its unparalleled designs, it also has to do with the history of the brand itself.

Coco Chanel redefined what it means to be stylish. From liberating women from restrictive clothing to prioritising simplicity and elegance, she changed modern-day fashion.

The blend of simplicity and sophistication is embedded in the double C logo. It continues to serve as a testament to Chanel's ability to combine minimalism, luxury, and class. 

The fact that it remains unaltered serves as a constant reminder about the brand's main values: authenticity and belief in one's self.