Established by couturier Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, the French fashion house has been producing luxury goods — emblazoned with their signature double-C logo and black and white color palette — since 1909. Coco's initial vision was to cater to the everyday, casually elegant woman, creating blazers, trousers, costume jewelry, and most notably, the little black dress. Though the brand was deeply rooted in haute couture, the '70s saw the launch of the first Chanel prêt-à-porter line — and in 1983, over 10 years after Coco's death, a former Chloé designer by the name of Karl Lagerfeld took over as the brand's head of design. His arrival was marked with modern cuts, shorter hemlines, and eye-catching details, yet the glamour, sophistication, and refinement that had come to be associated with Chanel still remained. We look to the house of Chanel for classic, tailored style with a twist, and Lagerfeld has made sure to uphold that undeniable element no matter what. Click through to take a look back at some of the gorgeous Chanel couture and ready-to-wear runway looks from the past.
For Fall 2014, Karl Lagerfeld transformed the Grand Palais into the world's chicest supermarket, and Cara Delevingne opened the show in a ripped-up pink crop top and shimmering Chanel sneakers.
The trainers spotted on the couture runway carried over to this show, where Kendall Jenner took the runway carrying one of the many chain-laden grocery baskets worn as purses.
It was a more relaxed collection with oversize shoulders narrowing to cage waists, haute leggings and plenty of saturated pastels in lush tweeds.
Waistlines were seriously whittled by bodysuit-like underpinnings that ensured a boxy croptop was ready for real life. Contrasting colors also helped to make the silhouette stand out.
It was high fashion with a dose of practicality, if the elbow- and knee-pads were to be believed. And talk about color coordinating your accessories — check out that fannypack!
We're nursing a suspicion that the Spring 2014 Haute Couture collection will forever be remembered for the sparkly sneakers that the models wore.
Karl Lagerfeld wasn't immune to the crop top domination, parading a lacy style down the runway. Another big thing? Chokers anchored by two massive gumball-like pearls.
Proving a girl can never have too many Chanel bags, models were styled with multiple styles (and doubled up on the crossbodies).
Consider it the trompe l'oeil quilted Chanel bag. Brighter runway looks were countered by grayscale dresses and accessories that appeared to be paint layered over initially white objects.
This gunmetal gray dress juxtaposed heavily embellished panels with sheer, diaphanous fabric.
We're definitely feeling a bit of a rodeo vibe from the hats that complimented the classic Chanel jackets.
The hats were paired with (almost) everything, like this printed — and belted! — dress.
Karl Lagerfeld took motorcycle dressing to new heights for Fall — when was the last time you saw a fur helmet?
Voluminous tops were paired with structured skirts, and finished with the fur helmets, of course.
A design house known for embellishment and embroidery definitely delivered for Fall.
Deconstructed headpieces were set against moody florals in an eerie forrest setting.
A dress in inky black shimmered against is pink floral embellishments.
For Spring 2013, Lagerfeld took Chanel into the future — here, a model carries the now iconic hula hoop bag.
The pearls on this denim strapless number give a definite nod to the house's signature necklace.
There was definitely a playful attitude to the collection, which cast quieter pieces like this sheath dress, against more whimsical ones — like the necklace.
The highlight of the Couture '12 show was no doubt Lindsay Wixson in a wedding dress that reportedly took 3,000 hours to make.
This black and white cocktail dress had all the traces of signature Chanel.
Chanel played on volume and layers with a touch of metallic.
Sporty separates in mixed shades of green, lavender and grey exuded effortless sophistication.
Chanel drew upon vintage inspired cuts in traditional tweed.
Blue and black made for a gorgeous pairing at Couture Spring '12.
Monochromatic shades and clean lines were abundant for Chanel Spring '12.
White proved to be a popular trend on the runway.
Fall '11 Couture took on a dark, almost apocalyptic vibe. Models wore long skirts, bowler hats, and lace eye masks.
Chanel's signature tweed was updated with meticulous beading and feathers.
Fall '11 took on a tough, almost Twilight-inspired look.
Fall 2011's show took place amid a dark, foggy forest set, playing well with the deep color palette and moody tone of the pieces.
For Spring 2011 Couture, Karl again put his models in flats, further showcasing the elegant beaded gowns.
Sequins and chevron prints played nicely to the airy, jazz-inspired silhouettes.
Spring '11 brought about breezy silhouettes and rich watercolor prints.
A sunny yellow suit set made a pretty statement for Spring.
Fall '10 Couture took on a slightly Western vibe, with slouchy boots and ornate prints.
Karl turned his models into veritable ice queens for the Fall 2010 show — he showed tweed pantsuits, shaggy faux fur snow boots, and igloo-shaped sweaters.
Chanel's signature bouclé tweed separates were layered with nubby knits and leather boots.
It was all space age-chic for Chanel's Spring 2010 Couture show — models wore angular, metallic dresses, molten metal shoes, and cartoonish updos.
Karl showed farmgirl-chic for Spring 2010 with tweed dresses, knee-high socks, and Mary Janes.
Models wore tousled beehives, peasant-inspired silhouettes, and wooden clogs.
Karl showed graphic, polished skirt suits with lace tights and colorful heels.
Fall 2009's couture collection featured frothy halter-neck dresses that were just begging to be worn on the red carpet.
Fall '09 brought a twist on the British dandy — Karl showed ruffle-neck blouses with long skirts and tailored blazers.
The collection was mostly black and white, with the exception of an uber-feminine shade of baby pink.
Spring '09 Couture showed clean, A-line silhouettes with bold black piping and artful floral headpieces.
Strong geometric shapes were the main element in Fall 2008's couture collection.
The collection was all about angles — check out this fringed frock with a wire-frame headpiece.
Karl showed incredibly embellished eveningwear for Fall.
Karl paid homage to the slightly edgy working woman for Fall 2008, showing deconstructed pencil skirts and Mary Jane heels.
An asymmetrical coat was paired with a pencil skirt and patterned tights.
Some of Spring 2008's haute couture pieces were surprisingly wearable, like this sequined blazer with black shorts and sheer tights.
Karl sent models out in ballet flats instead of heels to strengthen the image of lightness, youth, and ease.
Karl catered to the sporty girls in '08, showing tennis-ready separates in colorful stripes.
Denim one-pieces with tweed trim were also a big draw for Spring '08.
For Fall '07 Couture, sleek metallic gowns were jazzed up with rows of fanned georgette and feathers.
White feathered finale gowns surprisingly showed tons of movement.
Karl's Fall 2007 nod to the college girl was shown with cozy knit frocks and bright pops of color.
Full-on tweed suit styles still felt youthful.
A standout piece from Spring 2007's '40s-showgirl themed show, this bouclé dress was worn on the red carpet by Sienna Miller.
Floaty organza, sequins, and calf-length hemlines were a constant throughout the collection.
Karl's now-famous tulle gowns were dressed up with intricate beading made to resemble armor.
For his "medieval mod" Fall '06 couture collection, Karl showcased rich embroidery and beading.
Spring '06 Couture was reminiscent of classic Coco; polished suit pieces in graphic black and white.
Karl paired ladylike separates with ethereal party pieces.
Fall '05 brought simple schoolgirl-chic collared dresses.
Models loaded up on layers of tweed with tights puffer coats.
Spring 2005 brought tons of tulle and long, floaty layers.
Way before Black Swan, Karl showed stark white feathers with a fitted bustier and matching headpiece.
For the Spring '04 couture show, Alek Wek took to the runway in extravagant white fur and feathers.
For Fall 2001, it was all about the signature double-C logo.
The collection featured tweed separates with some extra added glam.