Symbology & Iconography
Chanel incorporated the use of different icons or symbols over the years. They have more history behind them then just being pretty.
Camelia:
The camellia holds tremendous significance to the house of Chanel, it is seen throughout all of the collections in various forms. Due to its perfect simplicity/close-to-geometric roundness/pure color it became a favorite of Coco’s. Many believe that she became fascinated by it because of the fact that it had no scent so it would not compete with her famed Chanel Nº5 scent.
Four Leaf Clover:
The Clover is another important icon also seen throughout the House of Chanel because Coco Chanel was known to be superstitious and as a result, adopted the clover as an icon.
CC Monogram:
The CC monogram was created in 1923 for the perfume bottle of Chanel No. 5. Soon after the monogram was use on buttons and jewelry, and has been since then.
Quilting:
Coco Chanel got the idea of using quilting from seeing jockeys coats. She used quilting for her epic 2.55 purse, but through the years Chanel has used quilting to pattern everything from coats, tops, sunglasses, and even to imprint makeup in a compact.
N. 5:
#5 was important in numerology, and Mademoiselle Chanel was very superstitious. She launched her clothing line on May 5th. Interestingly on the 5th of each month she would host an open house at her Boutique in Paris. When she decided to create a fragrance, she worked closely with the chemist. The bottle that was picked and which would become the famous Chanel Nº5 Fragrance, was the fifth bottle in the row.
N. 19:
#19 Mademoiselle Chanel’s birthday was August 19th, thus Chanel N. 19 perfume.
N. 22:
Chanel N. 22 perfume was named because it’s scent was reminiscent of a woman who was 22, naive and innocent.
2.55 February 1955 was the date that the first handbag emerged from Chanel’s workshop.
Other recognizable Chanel imagery and icons are pearls, black and white, as well as black and beige color combinations, chain interwoven with leather, and tweed fabric.