CHANEL

Chanel is one of today’s best known and highly sought-after fashion brands, and has been practically since it was founded by Coco (Gabrielle) Chanel in 1909. The luxury brand stands out in just about every category—couture, ready-to-wear, accessories, jewelry, shoes, and fragrances. What began as a no-nonsense approach to fashion, designed to let women be comfortable while looking dignified, has been translated into classic, tailored style, especially in ready-to-wear; sexy in a smart, classy, dignified way.

The traditional tweed Chanel suit with a nipped-at-the-waist cardigan jacket remains one of the most popular fashion staples, as is the quilted leather Chanel bag. Evening gowns tend to have an understated sex appeal and a bit of whimsy, and appear in luxurious fabrics with lots of embellishments. Karl Lagerfeld revived the brand in 1983 to must-have status with added glamour and sexiness, and has been designing the collection ever since.