1987 Timeless Perfume, Originally Launched in 1921, Became the 'Most Famous Fragrance in the World'
There's something special about a captivating scent that follows you wherever you go, making your presence instantly recognizable when you enter a room-and lingering long after you've left.
One revolutionary scent that transformed the fragrance industry is Chanel No. 5, launched in 1987, but originally created in 1921.
The product, described by Chanel as "a timeless, legendary fragrance in a radically minimal bottle," was ranked among WWD's Beauty Inc.'s list of the greatest beauty products of all time, an all-encompassing lineup featuring everything from makeup items to skincare and beyond.
Published in February 2026, the extensive pool of goods is noted as "the definitive roundup of the 100 greatest beauty products as chosen by the people who know best - beauty industry insiders" by the publication.
Chanel No. 5, a fragrance that claims to have "exuded the very essence of femininity" since its inception in the '20s, was the first of its kind. Its claim to fame? A "mysterious scent" that has attracted wearers of all kinds for over a century.
Officially debuting on May 5, 1921, in Coco Chanel's boutique on the Rue Cambon in Paris, the new fragrance "immediately revolutionized the perfume industry and remained popular for a century," per History.com. It is considered by many to be the first modern perfume, "as recognizable and enduring as Chanel's most famous clothing designs, and the designer herself."
As for its iconic scent notes, it fuses warm tones with floral accents. "With its unprecedented use of aldehydes and layers of complexity, N°5 was the world's first abstract fragrance. The Eau de Parfum draws inspiration from the original Parfum. This floral bouquet, composed around May rose and jasmine, features bright citrus top notes. Aldehydes create a unique presence, while the smooth touch of bourbon vanilla yields an incredibly sensual sillage," its official description notes.
First developed by perfumer Ernest Beaux, Jacques Polge reinterpreted the classic in 1986 in an attempt "to create a fuller, more voluminous version of the now and forever fragrance: the Eau de Parfum." It is said to be the "epitome of Gabrielle Chanel's initial request: 'a woman's perfume, with a woman's scent,'" according to the brand.
Today, the fragrance is available in several forms, including Eau de Parfum, Eau de Toilette, shower gel, hair mist, hand cream, body cream, body oil, bath soap, deodorant, and more. According to Beauty Inc., it has become "the most famous fragrance in the world" since its launch, with products having sold twice per minute (yes, two Chanel No. 5's purchased every 60 seconds) in December 2025 alone.
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This story was originally published April 29, 2026 at 1:29 PM.