CHANEL, France

Gabrielle Chanel opened her first fashion house in Biarritz, France after her success designing womenswear in 1915. Six years later, Chanel released the famous Chanel No. 5, and just three years after that, its first makeup line was created. The first makeup collections included lipsticks and powders. The house survived war, hired new creative directors and maintains its status as an elite beauty brand.