It’s hard to believe that something so essentially modern is also a century old. Chanel No 5, beloved by icons of the 20th and 21st centuries from Marilyn Monroe to Marion Cotillard, is now an icon in its own right. The backbone of the Chanel empire since 1921, the quintessential feminine scent, created by perfumer Ernest Beaux and underscored by Mademoiselle Chanel’s deft hand at capturing the moment, is a revolutionary part of perfumery history that continues to capture the world’s gaze today.
Whether it is the modernist square bottle that is its unmistakable identifier, its celebrity brand ambassadors, or timeless floral olfactory composition that blends an unprecedented use of aldehydes, there’s no doubt that No 5 will continue to be a beloved scent for the next 100 years.
• From the April edition of Wanted, 2021.
