Which perfume did Coco Chanel launch in 1921?

Coco Chanel launched Chanel No. 5 in 1921.

The fragrance was created for Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel by Ernest Beaux, a French-Russian perfumer. Unlike many popular perfumes of the period, which emphasized a single recognizable flower, Chanel No. 5 used a complex composition of floral notes, aldehydes, and other ingredients. Its abstract scent helped make it a defining example of modern fine fragrance.

Chanel introduced the perfume to select customers at her Paris boutique on Rue Cambon. Its official launch date was May 5, 1921—a deliberate alignment of the fifth month, the fifth day, and the fragrance’s name. The simple rectangular bottle became equally important to the product’s visual identity.

A frequent mix-up is confusing Chanel No. 5 with other famous perfumes such as Shalimar, J’adore, or Opium. Those are different fragrances from different houses. Chanel No. 5 also became famous beyond the perfume counter: Marilyn Monroe’s remark that she wore “five drops” to bed helped turn it into a lasting cultural symbol.