Chanel Has Fallen

Chanel has the most difficult history of any fashion company. The company almost closed several times in it's history and if it wasn't for the extreme profits of Chanel No. 5, that was only 10% owned by Coco herself, it absolutely wouldn't exist today.

Karl Lagerfeld too is to thank for the re-rise of Chanel, singlehandedly marketing Chanel as a likeable person once again following her death, and his work at the house was incredible. But, because it was so groundbreaking, it seems now that they are too scared to evolve the company to something with more of a future.

[TheFiown]

I loved the beach scene and the Italian Gardens, his last I think just before he passed. I worked with Karl for two years, an incredible experience. I was supposed to take over the tailoring side but passed over the opportunity and ended up working with Ines de la Fressange. The head of 'flou' at Chanel is one of my apprentices. As for the witch herself I've read so much on her that I gag at the stuff people praise her for. She hated both jews and gays and was an all round bad person.

[deborahcurtis]

Very well researched! She was disliked for underpaying her staff and being a bully. Not just for being a collaborator.
She did have a tragic life her early life meant she was very insecure and ego-oriented. Overall a very sad person. My grandmother was in the Resistance and actively hated her. No Chanel for her!

[natasa]

I was recently in a Chanel store and the leather was literally coming out of the chain on a display bag, hats had indentations, jackets looked like they were made in a sweatshop….
I used to be a client but this was just the last straw for me.
I can accept Chanel being boring but not their quality for that price….
The sad thing is I have vintage pieces that are 30-40yrs old and still look better than the new ones from 2022.
Only vintage Chanel for me from now on 😅

[angelaw]

In my personal opinion I think a lot of Chanel's failures in recent years can be attributed to greed. They hiked up their bag prices dramatically even as quality continued to fall because they know their faithful clientele and reputation as an "investment" bag would continue to turn out profits for a long time. But people aren't stupid -- even the most loyal customers will eventually recognize they're being taken advantage of and lose their brand loyalty.

When it comes to clothing, Chanel's apparent desire to play it "safe" and stick to designs that have previously guaranteed financial success may also be a reason for the stifled creativity. It's not about fashion anymore, it's about money. Sadly I predict that at some point in the years to come these shortcomings will culminate in a large-scale fall from grace for the brand.

(Also your videos are so amazing! Interesting and informative. I love your channel)

[ngoctruong]

I have seen so many youtubers complained about Chanel quality issues (SuperDacob, Romina Rose May, ...) and I cannot find the reason to justify the price point of their accessories and bags. Chanel is now a huge advertising company riding on the back of Jennie no less

[ljohnson]

The fact that quality has drastically decreased with many fashion houses while prices rise isn't discussed enough. One can't solely depend on brand recognition for luxury. Yes we love designs, presentations and colors, however quality is a key element of luxury.

[njlillycline]

My mother began working with Chanel about 20 years ago; said it was the nastiest company she ever worked for and was glad she got out. Anyways, after Lagerfeld that was it.

[evi]

I am no fashion expert but as someone who loved Karl's designs, the major problem I find with chanel today is that they are just recycling what's been done before and that too in an unflattering way. Chanel has lost its uniqueness to me.

[Pinkexplosion]

Many of Karl's shows were very impressive. I personally love Chanel by the sea, Paris in Rome and the Rocket show.

[ladyjunon]

For those of you interested in the production behind Chanel's runway shows, they're done by a production company called Villa Eugénie, while the videography is done by Walter Films, who produces a heavy majority of Chanel's digital media.

The company was established in 1991 by Etienne Russo, when his friend, Dries Van Noten, asked him to produce his debut runway show for his Spring 1992 collection. After producing several shows for Dries and the other members of the Antwerp 6, he was approached by Hermès and Hugo Boss in 1998 and Chanel in 1999 to produce their shows in more modern direction.

Villa Eugénie has since done shows for Martin Margiela, Lanvin, Fendi, Gucci, Thom Browne and Burberry. Today, the company continues to do shows for Boss, Hermès, Givenchy, Alyx 9SM, Alexandre Vauthier and Dior Homme. They also co-produce Prada and Miu Miu shows with Without Production.

[ytknits]

At this point, I assume that Chanel is designing clothing for older, more conservative clients and making the majority of their money from bags, perfume and accessories.
Regarding drops in quality in the designer fashion space, this seems to be happening across the board. I hear about quality issues with more and more luxury brands.

[timeabg]

I recently realized the only Chanel I’ve ever loved was Karl Lagerfeld’s Chanel from the 90s

[elm]

I’ve been saying Chanel is on a decline for years, and that’s primarily the designs. Sure some of the classic pieces still have cache, but Chanel is giving stuffy aunt and stiff grandma. They need young blood in there that’s gonna revamp the brands image. It’s a necessity at this point.

[kmoooooooo]

Chanel didn't need to rely too much on their clothing lines to make money and Karl figured that out sometime around 2013... Since then he started paying more attention to the Fendi lines until his passing which is a bit sad, but I understand why he would let his design team take over. Doing 6 collections a year for Chanel and 5 collections a year for Fendi (They only showed autumn couture) is certainly a job only a super human could do!

He did create some remarkable collections from 2013-2019 (Remember pre fall 2016?!) but never as good or consistent as 90s Chanel. Personally I have a soft spot for 2005-2010 Chanel because of its close relationship to the indie sleaze era, and also because it was my introduction to Karl's Chanel and the fashion industry as a whole. Thank you for this video

[SydneyChandler]

I inherited my mom's Chanel suits and bags...they're pristine. I bought a Chanel bag at their boutique a few years ago, and I've had that bag repaired 2 times and I hardly use the darn bag. Don't get me started on the disappointment I feel in what's happened to the Chanel brand. The shine has dimmed tremendously.

[emiliazz]

The more and more I think of Chanel the more I wonder whether Karl staying on so long was actually a disadvantage creatively. Any creative outlet would stall if it centred around one brain. Karl introduced some amazing styles to Chanel, but once they were established maybe a new head to take those to another level could have worked. Karl worked for a short time at Fendi but created the FF logo whilst there, which is now symbolic. But I think symbolic because it has been used differently after Karl left the house. I could be wrong and I think Karl was very creative but clearly Chanel is stuck trying to replicate its early Karl hey-days.

[shawnadyment]

I would love to be able to live another 100 years to see if the Chanel does evolve, or fade into the fashion halls of time.

[OrchidsAndSevers]

knew you’d be more exciting to watch than their most recent haute couture show

[hazecliff]

I’m surprised that Jennie didn’t come for Chanel spring 2023 when she’s the only one making Chanel appeal to younger audiences. I get that they’re trying to appeal more to their older and conservative and rich clients but there’s a reason why Asia is the biggest market for luxury goods. Also, their production in runways went from the best to idk what even that is. They need to step up their game.

[WelcometotheMuseum]

I know everybody associates Chanel with the tweed jackets and modest high fashion, but I remember being a teenager and seeing Nicole Kidman in that pink dress made of ostrich feathers for Chanel No5 advertising. That, for me, became the quintessential moment in high fashion. I thought nothing could beat that (well, I hadn’t seen Alexander McQueen’s work yet back then 😂).

I am so lucky I’ve seen that dress 10 years later at the exhibition dedicated to the work of Karl Lagerfeld in Bundeskunsthalle Bonn. I know that the Met is going to have another exhibition about him this summer, I hope they will manage to bring some of his dresses for a show.

Thanks for a great video, it’s a pleasure to watch and listen to a professional.