Chanel has acquired Charvet, the Parisian shirtmaker known for bespoke shirts, suits and accessories, the house announced on Thursday.
The house said the aim of the acquisition is “to support, over the long term, the passing down of unique savoir-faire and the continued existence of an iconic French heritage house, while fully respecting its creative independence.”
This comes after Chanel artistic director Matthieu Blazy collaborated with Charvet on a long-sleeve cotton shirt for his debut collection. When Blazy’s first Chanel creations began arriving at stores across Paris in March, the shirt developed in partnership with Charvet, priced at €3,900, sold out instantly. He partnered with Charvet again for his resort collection, presented in Biarritz.
“At Chanel, we have always considered it our responsibility to support, preserve, and perpetuate these rare artisanal skills, which embody both exceptional craftsmanship and an essential part of our cultural heritage,” Bruno Pavlovsky, president of fashion activities at Chanel and Chanel SAS, said in a statement.
“With Charvet, this resonance is even stronger, as it forms part of a shared story: Boy Capel, who played such an important role in Gabrielle Chanel’s life, was a regular client of Charvet. This connection thus extends a symbolic link, while affirming a shared commitment to the passing down of skills, the precision of craftsmanship, and the unique ability of great houses to bring heritage into dialogue with contemporary creation.”
“My sister Anne Marie and I are delighted by this new chapter in Charvet’s history, which is perfectly in keeping with the spirit and identity that have always defined our company,” Jean-Claude Colban, managing director of Charvet, said.
This is bound to reignite ongoing speculation about Chanel expanding into menswear, which reached new heights when the house tapped Pedro Pascal as ambassador in April under Blazy.
Chanel global CEO Leena Nair quashed rumors in an interview with Vogue Business in May: “The men’s line is not on the agenda,” she said. “Inspiration from men’s wardrobes has always been part of Chanel’s DNA. Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel reinvented cuts and materials and silhouettes. She took that inspiration from men’s wardrobes. A small percentage of our clients have always been men. And that’s not changed. That’s why I love seeing all the men who are rocking a Chanel jacket whenever I travel anywhere. Everyone is welcome in our boutiques. And we allow ourselves the freedom to create a few pieces that appeal to men, as we always have.”
Chanel reported 2025 sales up 1.8% to $19.3 billion on a constant currency basis. Global CFO Philippe Blondiaux noted a “strong momentum in the second half of 2025, with high-single-digit growth rates basically across all product lines and geographies. A momentum that has continued through to the first few months of 2026.”
