Coco chanel book biography on wernherd

BRAND STORIES

Who owns Chanel?

One of the few luxury fashion houses not amassed by conglomerates LVMH or Kering, Chanel has been privately owned by the Wertheimer family for almost a century.

But, who are they? In stark contrast with their competitors, namely Bernard Arnault and François Pinault, the Wertheimers have been described as “fashion’s quietest billionaires.”(From article by Business Insider) As they are very discreet, not much about their personal lives or business dealings is made public. 

Here is what is known. 

In 1922, Théophile Bader, founder of the upscale department store Galeries Lafayette, introduced Coco Chanel to Pierre Wertheimer at the horse races.

Pierre, a renowned breeder, had recently inherited Bourjois, the largest and most successful cosmetic and fragrance company in France, from his father; while, just th