Chanel Acquires Charvet, France’s Oldest Shirtmaker, Cementing Luxury Craft Partnership

Chanel has finalized the acquisition of Charvet, the historic Paris-based shirtmaker, transforming its recent collaborative partnership with artistic director Matthieu Blazy into a strategic investment in traditional craftsmanship.

The acquisition follows Charvet’s creation of a capsule collection for Blazy’s debut Chanel runway show in October 2025, marking the evolution of a creative partnership into ownership of a renowned menswear specialist.

The relationship between Charvet and Chanel extends across decades. Nearly a century ago, Coco Chanel famously wore shirts from Charvet, the prestigious Paris shirtmaker, during her relationship with British shipping magnate Boy Capel. Subsequent Chanel creative directors, including Karl Lagerfeld, also championed the brand’s impeccable tailoring.

As the Colban family sought succession planning for their generational business, they identified Chanel as the ideal long-term steward for Charvet’s legacy.

Bruno Pavlovsky, Chanel’s fashion president, emphasized the acquisition’s strategic importance: “Charvet represents a precious asset. There is significant work ahead to prepare it for its next chapter.”

Charvet’s Heritage and Independence

Established in 1838 on Place Vendôme as the world’s inaugural dedicated shirt shop, Charvet traces its origins to Joseph-Christophe Charvet, whose father served as Napoleon’s personal dresser. The house earned Great Britain’s Royal Warrant from King Edward VII—a distinctive honor for a non-British luxury house—and cultivated an illustrious clientele including John F. Kennedy, artist David Hockney, and filmmaker Sofia Coppola.

The business remained family-owned until 1965, when it was purchased by Denis Colban, whose family currently controls the brand. With siblings Jean-Claude and Anne-Marie Colban at the helm, the question of succession created an opportunity for Chanel’s intervention.

Charvet reportedly generates €10-15 million annually and operates with 100 employees, maintains an atelier outside Paris, and owns its flagship Place Vendôme location—all of which have been acquired by Chanel. The brand will continue operating independently, with the Colban siblings remaining involved for at least one year to ensure seamless transition.

Chanel’s Vertical Integration Strategy

This acquisition aligns with Chanel’s broader initiative to internalize key luxury suppliers. For 2025, the group reported $19.3 billion in revenue, representing 2% growth, with operating profit reaching $4.7 billion. During the year, Chanel invested over $700 million in acquiring long-standing partners to secure premium materials and craftsmanship.

While financially modest relative to Chanel’s scale, the Charvet acquisition strengthens the house’s vertical integration in specialized craft categories. Controlling shirtmaking expertise directly enables Chanel to maintain production standards demonstrated in Blazy’s acclaimed runway collections.

Blazy’s creative leadership has driven measurable commercial success. His March 2025 autumn/winter 2026 show at the Grand Palais attracted unprecedented consumer demand, with editors and buyers queuing for hours at Chanel boutiques to purchase pieces from his initial collections. Strong performance in ready-to-wear and the Chanel 25 handbag campaign contributed significantly to the house’s 2025 growth trajectory.

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