As the new statements and activities of the brand state, Chanel takes sides with Israel. Chanel pledged 4 million dollars to charities providing emergency humanitarian aid to southern Israel in October 2023 following Hamas attacks.
The declaration was made by Chanel CEO Leena Nair and Global Executive Chairman Alain Wertheimer, who stated they were grieved by the Hamas attack and that they still sympathized with the affected people in Israel.
Chanel claimed that protecting the safety of its employees in Israel was their priority and that it supported peace and all those affected by war. Internal memos that were circulated on social media and cited by news organizations such as Women’s Wear Daily and The Algemeiner have been publicly reported and validated this support.
Historical background of Chanel
Chanel is an upscale French fashion house created by Pierre Wertheimer in 1910 in Paris. It is privately owned by French brothers Alain and Gérard Wertheimer, in Chanel Limited, a holding company established in 2018 and headquartered in London. Chanel franchises its name and brand to Luxottica in eyewear and is a specialist in luxury goods, accessories, and ready-to-wear clothing.
The Chanel Suit and No. 5 scent are famous product brands of Chanel. The Chanel brand is known to have revolutionized the world of ready-to-wear and haute couture by replacing more practical dresses that women still viewed as fashionable with structured corseted versions.
The House of Chanel was established in 1909 when the mistress of a textile manufacturing tycoon and socialite, Étienne Balsan, Gabrielle Chanel opened a millinery shop on the ground floor of his apartment in Paris, Boulevard Malesherbes 160. Chanel got an opportunity to meet their demi-mondaine mistresses, fashionistas who flaunted their fortunes with fancy clothes, jewelry, and hats, as the Balsan apartment doubled as a salon of the French hunting and sports aristocrats.
Through selling the hats she produced and designed, Coco Chanel could sustain herself without the assistance of Balsan. Chanel also became a mistress to Boy Capel in line with the societal standards of the upper class. In 1910, Chanel Modes became the first independent millinery store of Boy Capel at 31 Rue Cambon in Paris.
Famous products of Chanel
One product is the 11.12 handbag by Karl Lagerfeld that came with the now-popular double-C logo in 1983. Chanel has been gradually raising prices to reinforce the exclusivity of the brand further.
Indicatively, the price of the Classic Flap bag has increased in the past few years, with an original price of 220 being charged at the time of its introduction, and increasing to 10000 plus. Such developments depend on the rising labour and material prices, calculated prices to keep the brand luxurious, etc.
The High Jewellery of Chanel was founded in November 1932. Chanel initially displayed Bijoux de Diamants in her house located in Faubourg Saint-Honoré, Paris. Also, it became the first luxurious jewelry line created by a fashion designer. The Bijoux de Diamants was inspired by the moon, comets, and stars, among other heavenly bodies. Gabrielle Chanel created about fifty works of white and yellow diamonds mounted in platinum and yellow gold.
In partnership with the London Diamond Corporation, the collection sought to boost the diamond industry amid the Great Depression. In honor of Diamants’ 80th anniversary, the business produced a unique collection in 2012. High Jewelry, Camelia, Comete, Coco Crush, Baroque, 1932, Ultra, Bridal, and Jewelry Watches are among the current collections.
In 1987, the Chanel wristwatch branch was founded. The division unveiled the Matelassé, a second design, in 1995. Despite the success of the Première and Matelassé wristwatches, Chanel wristwatches became a brand when the J12 range of unisex style wristwatches made of ceramic materials was introduced in 2000.
Boycott challenges for Chanel
Chanel is listed in several boycott guides, such as those released by organizations that ask to Boycott, Divest, and Sanction (BDS) Israel. These tips also caution customers against buying, selling, or working in Chanel because they supported Israel and the financing of Israeli humanitarian work.
The advocates of the boycott movement will be encouraged to find alternatives to Chanel. The relationship with Israel in a very divisive conflict has damaged the reputation of the brand, as some consumer groups, especially those that endorse the Palestinian cause, have hurt the reputation of the brand. This harm affects customer loyalty and brand reputation, particularly in markets where the problem is a sensitive one.
Chanel is targeted by campaigns that advocate demonstrations, divestment demands, and more comprehensive activism against other companies that are pro-Israel. Such initiatives pressured the business to change its attitude or face the continuous patronage of the customers by organizing grassroots supporters around the world.
The issues associated with boycotting Chanel are a mirror of the overall geopolitical crisis and the boycott of Israel and Palestine, and it affects the sales and reputation of the brand among specific demographic segments significantly.
Other luxury brands’ actions amid the conflict
A summary of other high-end and popular fashion brands in 20232024 doing the same during the Israel-Palestine war is provided below:
1. ZARA (Inditex Group)
When the conflict escalated, Zara established its largest store in Israel and received much criticism about its very close relationship with Israel. The company was attacked by its Israeli franchisee for organizing a campaign event in honor of far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and featuring an advertising campaign that was perceived to be alluding to Palestinian murders. Even after taking down the advert, Zara has not fared well in the backlash due to its irresponsibility and silence about the current violence in Gaza. The pro-Palestinian organizations around the world have organized boycotts against Zara.
2. Tory Burch
The high-end fashion label denounced hate speech against the Muslim, Arab, and Jewish communities and expressed shock at the carnage in Gaza and Israel. Tory Burch promised to match employee donations and donate both personal and corporate funds to humanitarian assistance groups helping victims on both sides.
3. Other businesses
Although other businesses have issued statements condemning religious hatred and supporting humanitarian efforts, others have been claimed to be complicit as a result of business transactions with military contractors or Israeli settlements.
The UN and other activist groups have singled out a number of international corporations as having been complicit in supporting alleged violations of human rights linked with the conflict, which have tainted their reputations and led to calls for boycotts.
Chanel has been a vocal advocate of Israel and has demonstrated solidarity with the Israeli people who have been affected by Hamas attacks through internal business statements and gifts of humanitarian relief. Under these circumstances, the support of Israel to Chanel becomes rather clear.
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