Chanel was founded in Paris in 1909-1910 by Coco Chanel, who was born in 1883. Over the years, Chanel expanded from apparel into perfumes, watches, handbags, cosmetics and other luxury goods, becoming a world-famous brand. Coco Chanel lived for 30 years at the Ritz Hotel in Paris, where she died in her bedroom on January 10th, 1971.