Beauty Secrets Of The Camellia

Gabrielle Chanel’s favourite flower is the key to the brand’s beloved Hydra Beauty skincare range. Here’s how the luxury house is using innovative agroecological methods to ensure its longevity and sustainability.

- Gabrielle Chanel

It’s seen everywhere – on necklaces, rings, belt buckles, and even watches. Indeed, the camellia is truly the flower of CHANEL. The late Karl Lagerfeld even created a wedding dress that was adorned with 2,500 handmade white camellias as the finale for the brand’s FW ’05/’06 collection.

A favourite of founder Gabrielle Chanel, it was said to be the first flower that her lover and muse Arthur “Boy” Capel gave her. She was often seen with it on her button lapel, as the scentless flower did not clash with her signature N° 5 perfume.

So, it was only natural that CHANEL’s Research team turned to the camellia for inspiration.

Uncovering The Secrets Of The Bloom

In 1998, CHANEL started a project with international camellia expert Jean Thoby to research the secrets that this delicate bloom holds.