Founded in 1909 by Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel, the house of Chanel is now one of the most recognisable and prestigious names in fashion incorporating haute couture, ready-to-wear, perfume, cosmetics and other luxury goods. Following Chanel's death in 1971 the brand continued, and since 1983 has been led by Karl Lagerfeld who has extended Chanel's influence across the world incorporating new technologies and reaching out to new global markets with a combination of the house's signature relaxed and ultimately modern refinement and his own inimitable expression of the current. Today, Chanel operates around 310 Chanel boutiques worldwide.