6 July 2025
All of these statements describe CHANEL N°5. The figures evolve over the years, but on average, a bottle of CHANEL N°5 is sold every 30 seconds, with sales totalling over $100 million a year. The fragrance has been popular since its creation. As the legend goes, Coco Chanel worked with perfumer Ernest Beaux to create a perfume that was different from everything else on the market – something composed of various notes, made to reflect the essence of a modern woman. He presented 10 variations to her, and Coco, being superstitious, selected No.5 as it was her lucky number. She chose to keep the name N°5 so it would continue to bring her luck.
It launched in 1921. Coco was the influencer for her scent. She would wear it herself, give samples to her close friends, and spray it in her boutique before making it available to the masses. It became a success instantly and its popularity has yet to waver.
In the over 100 years since its inception, there has been…
A multitude of campaigns, starring the likes of Catherine Deneuve, Nicole Kidman, Gisele Bundchen, Brad Pitt, and Gabrielle Chanel herself.
Various interpretations: Eau de Parfum, Eau Premiere, Eau de Toilette, and Extrait
And an array of application formats, such as body oil, hair mist, shower gel, hand cream and a limited edition refillable purse spray that doubles as a bag charm.
In 2016, CHANEL N°5 L’EAU was released. Housed in the same bottle, but created with a lighter, fresher composition. The campaign featured a young Lily-Rose Depp, introducing yet another generation to the most iconic fragrance of all time.
More than just a fragrance, CHANEL N°5 is a cultural phenomenon. There have been books written on the subject, songs titled after it and the campaign commercials often resemble short films, directed by greats like Baz Luhrmann and Luca Guadagnino. The subject of a set of four works by Andy Warhol and an unsolicited endorsement by Marilyn Monroe, who famously replied to the question, “What do you wear to bed?”, with: “CHANEL N°5” have all reinforced the legend of the fragrance.
Press