A stylish sorority

Animated by two profound love affairs, Gabrielle Chanel established a symbiotic connection with Britain that remains a source of inspiration for the maison a century on

This year, the two iconic brands celebrate monumental anniversaries – ELLE UK at 40, Chanel at 100. Naomi Pike charts their history…

SEPTEMBER 2025

AS ELLE CELEBRATES ITS 40TH ANNIVERSARY, WE ASK: WHAT WILL THE INDUSTRY LOOK LIKE IN 40 YEARS’ TIME? WE SPOTLIGHT THE WOMEN WHO WILL HAVE A HAND IN SHAPING ITS NEXT ERA

There’s a new energy on the high street, and it’s cultivated by a crop of smart, stylish women prompting us to take a fresh look at the brands we think we know. Here, they reveal the secrets to their success, and where they get their own style inspo

As the Roman luxury-fashion house celebrates its centenary, the two women at its helm talk to Sasha Slater about the brand’s spectacular growth, its long-standing matriarchal legacy and the enduring power of family