What do the interlocking Cs in the Chanel logo represent?

The interlocking Cs in the Chanel logo represent Coco Chanel’s initials.

The two opposing Cs create a symmetrical monogram for Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, the fashion designer who founded the brand. The black-and-white mark is commonly associated with Chanel’s minimalist visual language and appears on fashion, fragrance, cosmetics, and accessories.

Chanel’s fashion house was established in 1910, when Coco Chanel opened a millinery shop in Paris. The brand later became famous for clothing, handbags, perfume, and costume jewelry. The interlocking-C design is generally dated to the early 1920s, though accounts differ on the precise circumstances of its creation.

A frequent misconception is that the Cs stand for two people or two separate companies. They are instead a monogram of one person’s name. The logo is also distinct from Chanel’s camellia symbol, which became another important motif in the house’s designs.