Chanel vs Hermès: Founders, CEOs and History
Chanel was founded in 1910 by Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel and is led by Leena Nair. Hermès was founded in 1837 by Thierry Hermès and is led by Axel Dumas.
Company facts
Founders
Chanel
Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel
Gabrielle Chanel (1883-1971) was raised in the Aubazine convent orphanage after her mother's death, where she learned to sew.
Hermès
Thierry Hermès
Hermès possesses one of the most historic, aristocratic founding stories in the entire luxury sector, rooted not in high fashion or handbags, but in the demanding, utilitarian world of 19th-century equestrian travel.
CEOs and their tenures
Chanel
- Bruno Pavlovsky
President of Fashion
Pavlovsky runs Chanel's fashion division and its Paraffection ateliers, and is the house's main spokesman on fashion strategy.
Source - Alain Wertheimer1974–present
Global Executive Chairman and co-owner
Grandson of Pierre Wertheimer, Alain has controlled Chanel since 1974 with his brother Gérard. He hired Karl Lagerfeld in 1983 and has kept the house independent.
Source - Maureen Chiquet2007–2016
Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive of Chanel from 2007 to 2016.
Source - Leena Nair2022–present
Global Chief Executive Officer
Nair joined in January 2022 after 30 years at Unilever, where she was the first female, first Asian and youngest Chief Human Resources Officer.
Source - Matthieu Blazy2025–present
Artistic Director of Fashion
Named in December 2024 after leading Bottega Veneta, Blazy presented his first Chanel ready-to-wear show in October 2025; his collections are credited with Chanel's late-2025 sales acceleration.
Source
Hermès
- Jean-Louis Dumas1978–2006
Former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Turned a family saddler into a global luxury house while keeping craftsmanship and family control at the center.
Source - Patrick Thomas2004–2014
Former Chief Executive Officer (Gérant)
Ran Hermès through strong growth in the 2000s and handed over to Axel Dumas, who became co-CEO in 2013 and sole Executive Chairman in 2014.
Source - Axel Dumas2013–present
Executive Chairman (Gérant)
Sixth-generation family member. Became co-CEO in June 2013 and sole Executive Chairman in 2014; under him revenue grew from about $4.29B (€3.8B) (2013) to ~$18.1B (€16.0B) (2025).
Source
Timeline: Chanel and Hermès side by side
1837Hermès
Founding of the Harness Workshop
Thierry Hermès opens his first workshop on the Grands Boulevards in Paris, specializing in the creation of the finest harnesses, bridles, and reins for the carriages of the European nobility.
1910Chanel
Gabrielle Chanel Opens First Shop
Coco Chanel opened the hat shop Chanel Modes at 21 Rue Cambon, Paris.
1921Chanel
Chanel No. 5 Launches
Chanel No. 5, created with perfumer Ernest Beaux, became one of the best-known fragrances in the world.
1922Hermès
Introduction of the Leather Handbag
Under the leadership of Émile Hermès, the house introduces its first leather handbags, inspired by the need for practical, elegant accessories for the new era of the automobile.
1924Chanel
Parfums Chanel Formed with the Wertheimers
Pierre and Paul Wertheimer financed Parfums Chanel, beginning the family's ownership of the house.
1935Hermès
Creation of the Sac dépêches (Kelly Bag)
The house introduces the Sac dépêches, a sleek, leather handbag that would later be renamed the Kelly bag after Grace Kelly was photographed using it to shield her pregnancy in 1956.
1937Hermès
Launch of the First Silk Scarf
To celebrate the company's centennial, the house introduces its first silk scarf, the 'Jeu des Omnibus et Dames Blanches', printed on silk sourced from the finest producers in Asia.
1954Chanel
Couture Comeback and Wertheimer Buyout
Coco Chanel reopened her couture house at age 71, and the Wertheimer family acquired the whole company.
1983Chanel
Karl Lagerfeld Joins
Karl Lagerfeld became creative director and led Chanel fashion until his death in 2019.
1984Hermès
Creation of the Birkin Bag
Following a chance encounter on a flight between CEO Jean-Louis Dumas and the actress Jane Birkin, the house creates the Birkin bag, a spacious, unstructured leather bag designed for the modern, active woman.
1997Chanel
Paraffection Created
Chanel set up Paraffection to buy and protect specialist ateliers that supply haute couture.
2013Hermès
Tanneries d'Annonay Acquired
Hermès bought the Annonay calf-leather tannery in Ardèche, extending its control over leather supply.
2015Hermès
Tanneries du Puy Acquired
Hermès Cuirs Précieux acquired long-standing calf-leather supplier Tanneries du Puy, known for box calf.
2018Chanel
First Published Financial Results
Chanel Limited published its first annual results and centralized group management in London.
2022Chanel
Leena Nair Becomes Global CEO
Former Unilever HR chief Leena Nair became Chanel's Global Chief Executive Officer in January 2022.
2024Chanel
Matthieu Blazy Named Artistic Director
After Virginie Viard left in June 2024, Chanel named former Bottega Veneta designer Matthieu Blazy in December 2024.
2025Chanel
Blazy Debut and Return to Growth
Blazy showed his first collection in October 2025; full-year revenue rose to $19.269B with 37,984 employees.
2025Hermès
~$18.1B (€16.0B) Revenue and 24th Leather Workshop
Hermès passed ~$18.1B (€16B) in revenue and opened its 24th leather goods workshop at L'Isle-d'Espagnac.
Acquisitions
Chanel
- Orlebar Brown2018Undisclosed
- Paraffection ateliers (Lesage, Lemarié, Massaro, Desrues and others)1997Undisclosed
- Holland & Holland1996Undisclosed
- Eres1996Undisclosed
Hermès
- Tanneries du Puy2015Undisclosed
- Tanneries d'Annonay2013Undisclosed
- Heng Long (majority stake)2011Undisclosed
- Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier2006Undisclosed
Questions about Chanel vs Hermès
Who is the CEO of Chanel S.A. and Hermès International?
Chanel S.A. is led by Leena Nair and Hermès International is led by Axel Dumas. Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Chanel S.A. founded vs Hermès International?
Hermès International was founded in 1837 — 73 years before Chanel S.A., which was founded in 1910. Hermès International's longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Chanel S.A..
How many employees does Chanel S.A. have compared to Hermès International?
Chanel S.A. employs approximately 37,984 people, while Hermès International employs approximately 27,107. Chanel S.A. has the larger workforce at 37,984 employees, compared to Hermès International's 27,107. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Chanel S.A. and Hermès International headquartered?
Both Chanel S.A. and Hermès International are headquartered in France, meaning they operate under the same primary regulatory and tax environment.
Who founded Chanel S.A. and Hermès International?
Chanel S.A. was founded by Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel. Hermès International was founded by Thierry Hermès.
Which company has a longer operating history — Chanel S.A. or Hermès International?
Hermès International has been operating for approximately 189 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Chanel S.A. has been in operation for around 116 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Chanel vs Hermès overview