So You Say You're a Chanel Fan?

IMAXTREE, WireImage, Getty
IMAXTREE, WireImage, Getty

Established by couturier Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, the French fashion house has been producing luxury goods — emblazoned with their signature double-C logo and black and white color palette — since 1909. Coco's initial vision was to cater to the everyday, casually elegant woman, creating blazers, trousers, costume jewelry, and most notably, the little black dress. Though the brand was deeply rooted in haute couture, the '70s saw the launch of the first Chanel prêt-à-porter line — and in 1983, over 10 years after Coco's death, a former Chloé designer by the name of Karl Lagerfeld took over as the brand's head of design. His arrival was marked with modern cuts, shorter hemlines, and eye-catching details, yet the glamour, sophistication, and refinement that had come to be associated with Chanel still remained. We look to the house of Chanel for classic, tailored style with a twist, and Lagerfeld has made sure to uphold that undeniable element no matter what. Click through to take a look back at some of the gorgeous Chanel couture and ready-to-wear runway looks from the past.

Chanel Fall 2014
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Chanel Fall 2014

For Fall 2014, Karl Lagerfeld transformed the Grand Palais into the world's chicest supermarket, and Cara Delevingne opened the show in a ripped-up pink crop top and shimmering Chanel sneakers.

Chanel Fall 2014
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Chanel Fall 2014

The trainers spotted on the couture runway carried over to this show, where Kendall Jenner took the runway carrying one of the many chain-laden grocery baskets worn as purses.

Chanel Fall 2014
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Chanel Fall 2014

It was a more relaxed collection with oversize shoulders narrowing to cage waists, haute leggings and plenty of saturated pastels in lush tweeds.

Chanel Haute Couture Spring 2014
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Chanel Haute Couture Spring 2014

Waistlines were seriously whittled by bodysuit-like underpinnings that ensured a boxy croptop was ready for real life. Contrasting colors also helped to make the silhouette stand out.

Chanel Haute Couture Spring 2014
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Chanel Haute Couture Spring 2014

It was high fashion with a dose of practicality, if the elbow- and knee-pads were to be believed. And talk about color coordinating your accessories — check out that fannypack!

Chanel Haute Couture Spring 2014
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Chanel Haute Couture Spring 2014

We're nursing a suspicion that the Spring 2014 Haute Couture collection will forever be remembered for the sparkly sneakers that the models wore.

Chanel Spring 2014
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Chanel Spring 2014

Karl Lagerfeld wasn't immune to the crop top domination, parading a lacy style down the runway. Another big thing? Chokers anchored by two massive gumball-like pearls.

Chanel Spring 2014
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Chanel Spring 2014

Proving a girl can never have too many Chanel bags, models were styled with multiple styles (and doubled up on the crossbodies).

Chanel Spring 2014
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Chanel Spring 2014

Consider it the trompe l'oeil quilted Chanel bag. Brighter runway looks were countered by grayscale dresses and accessories that appeared to be paint layered over initially white objects.

Chanel Haute Couture Fall 2013
Getty | Pascal Le Segretain

Chanel Haute Couture Fall 2013

This gunmetal gray dress juxtaposed heavily embellished panels with sheer, diaphanous fabric.

Chanel Haute Couture Fall 2013
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Chanel Haute Couture Fall 2013

We're definitely feeling a bit of a rodeo vibe from the hats that complimented the classic Chanel jackets.

Chanel Haute Couture Fall 2013
Getty | Antonio de Moraes Barros Filho

Chanel Haute Couture Fall 2013

The hats were paired with (almost) everything, like this printed — and belted! — dress.

Chanel Fall 2013
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Chanel Fall 2013

Karl Lagerfeld took motorcycle dressing to new heights for Fall — when was the last time you saw a fur helmet?

Chanel Fall 2013
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Chanel Fall 2013

A design house known for embellishment and embroidery definitely delivered for Fall.

Chanel Couture Spring 2013
Getty | Kristy Sparow

Chanel Couture Spring 2013

Spring 2013 couture was all about tweed romance.

Chanel Couture Spring 2013
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Chanel Couture Spring 2013

Deconstructed headpieces were set against moody florals in an eerie forrest setting.

Chanel Couture Spring 2013
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Chanel Couture Spring 2013

A dress in inky black shimmered against is pink floral embellishments.

Chanel Spring 2013
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Chanel Spring 2013

For Spring 2013, Lagerfeld took Chanel into the future — here, a model carries the now iconic hula hoop bag.

Chanel Spring 2013
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Chanel Spring 2013

The pearls on this denim strapless number give a definite nod to the house's signature necklace.

Chanel Spring 2013
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Chanel Spring 2013

There was definitely a playful attitude to the collection, which cast quieter pieces like this sheath dress, against more whimsical ones — like the necklace.

Haute Couture Fall 2012

Haute Couture Fall 2012

The highlight of the Couture '12 show was no doubt Lindsay Wixson in a wedding dress that reportedly took 3,000 hours to make.

Haute Couture Fall 2012

Haute Couture Fall 2012

This black and white cocktail dress had all the traces of signature Chanel.

Fall 2012

Fall 2012

Chanel played on volume and layers with a touch of metallic.

Fall 2012

Fall 2012

Sporty separates in mixed shades of green, lavender and grey exuded effortless sophistication.

Haute Couture Spring 2012

Haute Couture Spring 2012

Chanel drew upon vintage inspired cuts in traditional tweed.

Haute Couture Spring 2012

Haute Couture Spring 2012

Blue and black made for a gorgeous pairing at Couture Spring '12.

Spring 2012

Spring 2012

White proved to be a popular trend on the runway.

Haute Couture Fall 2011

Haute Couture Fall 2011

Fall '11 Couture took on a dark, almost apocalyptic vibe. Models wore long skirts, bowler hats, and lace eye masks.

Haute Couture Fall 2011

Haute Couture Fall 2011

Chanel's signature tweed was updated with meticulous beading and feathers.

Fall 2011

Fall 2011

Fall '11 took on a tough, almost Twilight-inspired look.

Fall 2011

Fall 2011

Fall 2011's show took place amid a dark, foggy forest set, playing well with the deep color palette and moody tone of the pieces.

Haute Couture Spring 2011

Haute Couture Spring 2011

For Spring 2011 Couture, Karl again put his models in flats, further showcasing the elegant beaded gowns.

Spring 2011

Spring 2011

Spring '11 brought about breezy silhouettes and rich watercolor prints.

Spring 2011

Spring 2011

A sunny yellow suit set made a pretty statement for Spring.

Haute Couture Fall 2010

Haute Couture Fall 2010

Fall '10 Couture took on a slightly Western vibe, with slouchy boots and ornate prints.

Fall 2010

Fall 2010

Karl turned his models into veritable ice queens for the Fall 2010 show — he showed tweed pantsuits, shaggy faux fur snow boots, and igloo-shaped sweaters.

Fall 2010

Fall 2010

Chanel's signature bouclé tweed separates were layered with nubby knits and leather boots.

Haute Couture Spring 2010

Haute Couture Spring 2010

It was all space age-chic for Chanel's Spring 2010 Couture show — models wore angular, metallic dresses, molten metal shoes, and cartoonish updos.

Spring 2010

Spring 2010

Models wore tousled beehives, peasant-inspired silhouettes, and wooden clogs.

Haute Couture Fall 2009

Haute Couture Fall 2009

Karl showed graphic, polished skirt suits with lace tights and colorful heels.

Haute Couture Fall 2009

Haute Couture Fall 2009

Fall 2009's couture collection featured frothy halter-neck dresses that were just begging to be worn on the red carpet.

Fall 2009

Fall 2009

Fall '09 brought a twist on the British dandy — Karl showed ruffle-neck blouses with long skirts and tailored blazers.

Fall 2009

Fall 2009

The collection was mostly black and white, with the exception of an uber-feminine shade of baby pink.

Haute Couture Spring 2009

Haute Couture Spring 2009

Spring '09 Couture showed clean, A-line silhouettes with bold black piping and artful floral headpieces.

Haute Couture Fall 2008

Haute Couture Fall 2008

The collection was all about angles — check out this fringed frock with a wire-frame headpiece.

Haute Couture Fall 2008

Haute Couture Fall 2008

Karl showed incredibly embellished eveningwear for Fall.

Fall 2008

Fall 2008

Karl paid homage to the slightly edgy working woman for Fall 2008, showing deconstructed pencil skirts and Mary Jane heels.

Fall 2008

Fall 2008

An asymmetrical coat was paired with a pencil skirt and patterned tights.

Haute Couture Spring 2008

Haute Couture Spring 2008

Some of Spring 2008's haute couture pieces were surprisingly wearable, like this sequined blazer with black shorts and sheer tights.

Haute Couture Spring 2008

Haute Couture Spring 2008

Karl sent models out in ballet flats instead of heels to strengthen the image of lightness, youth, and ease.

Spring 2008

Spring 2008

Denim one-pieces with tweed trim were also a big draw for Spring '08.

Haute Couture Fall 2007

Haute Couture Fall 2007

For Fall '07 Couture, sleek metallic gowns were jazzed up with rows of fanned georgette and feathers.

Haute Couture Fall 2007

Haute Couture Fall 2007

White feathered finale gowns surprisingly showed tons of movement.

Fall 2007

Fall 2007

Karl's Fall 2007 nod to the college girl was shown with cozy knit frocks and bright pops of color.

Fall 2007

Fall 2007

Full-on tweed suit styles still felt youthful.

Spring 2007

Spring 2007

A standout piece from Spring 2007's '40s-showgirl themed show, this bouclé dress was worn on the red carpet by Sienna Miller.

Spring 2007

Spring 2007

Floaty organza, sequins, and calf-length hemlines were a constant throughout the collection.

Haute Couture Fall 2006

Haute Couture Fall 2006

Karl's now-famous tulle gowns were dressed up with intricate beading made to resemble armor.

Haute Couture Fall 2006

Haute Couture Fall 2006

For his "medieval mod" Fall '06 couture collection, Karl showcased rich embroidery and beading.

Haute Couture Spring 2006

Haute Couture Spring 2006

Spring '06 Couture was reminiscent of classic Coco; polished suit pieces in graphic black and white.

Haute Couture Spring 2006

Haute Couture Spring 2006

Karl paired ladylike separates with ethereal party pieces.

Fall 2005

Fall 2005

Fall '05 brought simple schoolgirl-chic collared dresses.

Fall 2005

Fall 2005

Models loaded up on layers of tweed with tights puffer coats.

Haute Couture Spring 2005

Haute Couture Spring 2005

Way before Black Swan, Karl showed stark white feathers with a fitted bustier and matching headpiece.

Haute Couture Spring 2004

Haute Couture Spring 2004

For the Spring '04 couture show, Alek Wek took to the runway in extravagant white fur and feathers.

Fall 2001

Fall 2001

For Fall 2001, it was all about the signature double-C logo.

Fall 2001

Fall 2001

The collection featured tweed separates with some extra added glam.