Logo: Interlocking “C”s, from Coco Chanel’s name.

Most Famous Handbag: 2.55, named after its creation date — February 1995. Lagerfeld updated the bag and called it the Classic, shown here in white. The Classic is taller and slimmer, and has the interlocking C logo in the hardware as opposed to the rectangular closure in the 2.55.

Most Famous Perfume: Chanel No. 5 — the most profitable product in the company (1922).

Most Famous Outfits: Signature Little Black Dress (1925), Signature Cardigan Jacket (1926), bellbottom pants and pea jackets (1960s).

Founder: Coco Chanel. Born poor in 1883 and shuffled from home to home after her mother’s death and father’s consequent abandonment, Gabrielle Chanel learned to sew in a nun’s orphanage. Adopting the name “Coco” while briefly performing as a cafe and concert singer from 1905 to 1908, she raised funds as a mistress of wealthy suitors to open her first Parisian millinery boutique in 1912. She soon expanded into couture with comfortable, breathable clothes, using jersey — a cheaper fabric that was formerly unthinkable for use in French couture, as it had its main use for men’s underwear. By the 20s, she’d set a trend with the “little boy” look. After a backlash from her affair with a Nazi officer led to an exile to Switzerland, in 1954 her comeback signaled her return to haute couture. She died in 1971.

Current Designer: Karl Lagerfeld, chief designer since 1983. Karl updates the 2.55 to retain and refresh its lofty status as an iconic bag. The white bag pictured is one example of his interpretive work. He first added the interlocking C’s to the bag.

Company Control: Chanel is known to burn its leftover stock to retain its exclusivity. Chanel does have sample sales at the end of the season though.