The acquisition of one of France’s oldest luxury houses reinforces Chanel’s long-term strategy of safeguarding heritage craftsmanship while strengthening its control over the luxury value chain.
Chanel has acquired French luxury shirtmaker Charvet, ending the Parisian maison’s 188 years of independent ownership as the luxury house continues its long-term strategy of investing in heritage craftsmanship.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. The acquisition was first reported by the Financial Times and has since been confirmed by multiple outlets, including The New York Times, Women’s Wear Daily and The Business of Fashion.
Founded in 1838, Charvet is widely recognised as the world’s first specialist shirtmaker and has become synonymous with bespoke shirting, fine tailoring and French savoir-faire. Its flagship boutique on Place Vendôme has served generations of clients, including Sir Winston Churchill, Charles de Gaulle, David Beckham and Sofia Coppola.
The acquisition follows a collaboration between Charvet and Chanel Creative Director Matthieu Blazy, whose Spring/Summer 2026 debut featured monogrammed shirts created with the historic atelier. According to Chanel President of Fashion Bruno Pavlovsky, the partnership, combined with the Colban family’s search for a successor, created the opportunity to bring Charvet into the Chanel portfolio.
Charvet will continue to operate independently under Chanel’s ownership, with the luxury house stating it intends to preserve the brand’s identity and craftsmanship. The move also reinforces Chanel’s broader strategy of securing specialist manufacturers and heritage businesses, following investments in brands including Orlebar Brown, Barrie and Eres, as luxury groups seek greater control over their supply chains while protecting traditional artisanal expertise.