Gabrielle Chanel, also known as Coco Chanel, is a name that is synonymous with luxury, elegance, and sophistication. Her brand has become an icon in the fashion industry, with her timeless designs remaining popular to this day.
But have you ever wondered what Gabrielle Chanel smells like? In this article, we will explore her signature scent and the story behind it.
The Birth of a Legend
Gabrielle Chanel was born in 1883 in Saumur, France. She grew up in an orphanage where she learned how to sew. It wasn’t until she opened her first boutique in Paris that she began to make a name for herself in the fashion world.
In 1921, Gabrielle Chanel launched her first perfume, which was simply called Chanel No. 5.
It was revolutionary at the time because it contained synthetic ingredients that were not commonly used in perfumes. The scent was a blend of floral and musky notes, with jasmine and rose being the most prominent.
Gabrielle Chanel’s Signature Scent
While Chanel No. 5 is undoubtedly iconic, it is not necessarily Gabrielle Chanel’s signature scent. In fact, she was known for wearing a different fragrance altogether: Guerlain’s Mitsouko.
Mitsouko was created by Jacques Guerlain in 1919 and was inspired by the character Mitsouko from Claude Farrère’s novel La Bataille. The fragrance is a chypre scent that combines notes of peach, jasmine, oakmoss, and spices.
Gabrielle Chanel reportedly discovered Mitsouko during a trip to Cannes in the early 1920s and fell in love with it immediately. She wore it every day for the rest of her life and even had it sprayed on her clothes so that she could always smell it.
The Legacy Lives On
Gabrielle Chanel passed away in 1971, but her legacy lives on through her brand and her signature scent. Mitsouko is still available today, and many people still associate it with Gabrielle Chanel.
In recent years, the brand has also released a fragrance called Gabrielle Chanel, which was inspired by the woman herself. The scent is a modern take on a classic floral fragrance and contains notes of ylang-ylang, jasmine, and orange blossom.
Conclusion
Gabrielle Chanel was a woman of many talents and accomplishments, but her signature scent is perhaps one of the things that she is best known for. While she may have worn Guerlain’s Mitsouko instead of her own Chanel No. 5, the fact remains that she had an impeccable sense of style and taste.
Whether you prefer Mitsouko or one of the many other fragrances in the Chanel lineup, there is no denying that Gabrielle Chanel’s influence on the world of perfume will continue to be felt for generations to come.