Spring 1996 Chanel Navy Blue Boucle Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: FR 38 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Toronto, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU228217981952
Chanel
In the years following the opening of her modest millinery shop, Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel became a pivotal designer of both fashionable casual wear and Paris haute couture as well as an icon and arbiter of 20th-century style with her bob haircut and pearls. Today vintage Chanel handbags, jackets and evening dresses are among the most sought-after clothing and accessories for fashion lovers all over the world.
The first Chanel shop was established in 1910 in Paris on rue Cambon by the young milliner Gabrielle Chanel (1883–1971), who had picked up the nickname “Coco” while working as a club singer. The boutique drew the attention of the Parisian fashion elite who popularized her wide-brimmed Chanel Modes hats. Soon she added a sportswear store in the Normandy resort town of Deauville, where Coco set the tone for her defining sense of style — traditionally masculine garments reimagined for feminine shapes, made from simple jersey fabric.
Effortless and elegant, Chanel's designs promoted comfort and grace in women’s wear that had been dominated in the previous century by complicated layers of fabric and cumbersome corsets. She followed this success with a couture house, opened in 1915 in Biarritz.
But Chanel was not born into a life of glamour. Following the death of her mother, her father left her in an orphanage where she lived until the age of 18. It was there that she learned to sew as well as appreciate the classic pairing of black and white as worn by the nuns.
In 1926, Chanel introduced her first little black dress, reclaiming a color that had once been reserved for mourning and working-class women. That same decade, she debuted her perfume, Chanel No. 5, as well as the Chanel suit with a fitted skirt, inspired by the boxy lines of men’s clothing and employing a sporty tweed.
Chanel closed her fashion operations during World War II, then returned to the industry in 1954 to design for the functional needs of modern women.
Structure and wearability endured in all of Chanel’s clothing and accessories, like the quilted leather 2.55 handbag — a 1955 update of a 1920s-era design — with its gold-chain shoulder strap that freed up a woman’s hands. The 1957 two-tone slingback pumps had a practical heel height while offering a bold statement in the black tip of the shoes. Her collarless jacket reacted against the constricting styles of Christian Dior's New Look, replacing them with a design that was timeless, an instant classic.
After Coco Chanel died in 1971, the brand underwent several changes in leadership, including fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, who took over as artistic director in 1983. His collections for Chanel displayed his knack for synthesizing old and new, high and low. Lagerfeld revived Chanel ballet flats and thoroughly embraced the classic logo's interlocking CCs, which took the form of a clasp featured on so many of the rare Chanel bags that are much sought after today.
Vintage Karl Lagerfeld designs for Chanel dresses, coats and other clothing of the 1980s, '90s and 2000s riffed on its iconography, accenting a lexicon of Chanel-isms with tastes of the moment. And as the 1990s have become associated with styles adopted by today’s supermodels and influencers, vintage Chanel bags of the 1990s are among the most prized of the brand’s offerings.
Over the years, the company has continued to innovate, such as expanding into ready-to-wear fashion in 1978 and, in 2002, establishing a subsidiary company — Paraffection — dedicated to preserving the heritage skills of fashion artisan workshops. The House of Chanel still operates its flagship on rue Cambon in Paris, where it all began.
Browse vintage Chanel bags, evening dresses, shoes, jewelry and other clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Toronto, Canada
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- Early 1980 Andre Laug Silk Pinstriped Day DressBy André LaugLocated in Toronto, Ontario1980s Andre Laug black and white pinstriped silk day dress with pleated peplum detail. The squared off V neckline is accented with shoulder pads and a pleated peplum detail at the wa...Category
1980s Italian Day Dresses
- 1970's Plum Suede and Rayon Crepe DressLocated in Toronto, OntarioAnonymous plum suede and rayon crepe dress from the 1970's. Possibly designed by Jean Muir. The dress gives the illusion of wearing a dolman sleeve b...Category
1970s Unknown Informal Dresses
- 1970s Clovis Ruffin Black Keyhole DressBy Clovis Ruffin RuffinwearLocated in Toronto, Ontario1970s Clovis Ruffin "Ruffinwear" polyester black jersey dress with keyhole tie at neckline. The dress has a gathered neckline with cape style short sleeves and a tie at the top of th...Category
1970s American Casual Dresses
- 1950s Hattie Carnegie Boucle Black Long Sleeve Day DressBy Hattie CarnegieLocated in Toronto, OntarioThis Hattie Carnegie 1950s boucle wool black long sleeve day dress is elegant and sophisticated. Round neckline with long sleeves that hit just a...Category
1950s American Casual Dresses
- 1980's Mila Schon Linen Day DressBy Mila SchonLocated in Toronto, Ontario1980s Mila Schon linen summer day dress. Black with bright multi colour vertical and horizontal stripes. Drop waist with a slightly gathered skirt with a green, yellow, blue, pink an...Category
1980s American Day Dresses
- 1970's Laura Biagiotti Striped DressBy Laura BiagiottiLocated in Toronto, OntarioNavy, brown, gold and green striped day dress with a ruffle collar from the 1970's. Whimsical fairies featured all over the dress. Yoke and buttoned neckline, buttoned cuffs and ruff...Category
1970s Italian Casual Dresses
- Chanel navy cashmere dress FR 36 18CBy ChanelLocated in Rubiera, REChanel Cruise 2018 Ancient Greece Blue navy cashmere dress/cardigan, open on the front, logo buttons and belt, sleeve 3/4 100% cashmere knitwear S...Category
2010s British Day Dresses
- Gianni Versace 1997 Couture fall black leather gownBy Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in CAPELLE AAN DEN IJSSEL, ZHGianni Versace was an influential Italian fashion designer who founded the Versace brand. In the fall of 1997, he presented his couture collection in Paris, which was widely acclaimed for its opulent fabrics, bold prints, and intricate detailing. The collection featured several notable pieces, such as a black evening gown with a plunging neckline and a gold-encrusted jacket. However, just a few days later, on July 15th, 1997, Gianni was tragically murdered outside his Miami Beach home. Despite his untimely death, his contributions to the world of fashion continue to be celebrated, and his legacy remains an inspiration too many. This collection is iconic as it’s the final collection before his passing. The collection very much showed a new direction for the house. Which was heading away from the bombshell curves and souped-up sex appeal that the house previously focussed on. But took more Inspirations to the new wave John Galliano and Mcqueen were leading. MET Gala: Salma Hayek y sus mejores momentos en la alfombra roja Vogue For the 1997 Met Gala Salma Hayek wore a very similar Gianni Versace look...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 1990's Moschino Cheap & Chic "Not Just A Pretty Dress" Velvet Studded DressBy Moschino Cheap and ChicLocated in Concord, NCMoschino Cheap and Chic 1990's black velvet form fitting dress with a whimsical quote studded on the front stating "Not Just A Pretty Dre...Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses
- Antonio Berardi FW-2004 Silk Sleeveless Print DressBy Antonio BerardiLocated in Brussels, BEDespite being born in the UK, Antonio Berardi’s roots are Sicilian ones, explaining his love of drama and femininity. This gorgeous silk dress, which mixes a variety of prints and mo...Category
Early 2000s Italian Day Dresses
- Comme Des Garcons bias cut satin jersey dress, ss 1986By Comme des GarçonsLocated in Melbourne, AUThis Comme Des Garcons satin jersey dress from the Fall-Winter 1986 Bias Cutting collection is a great example of the brand’s innovative approach to fashion design. Renowned for thei...Category
1980s Japanese Day Dresses
- A rare vintage 1970’s Roberta Di Camerino printed cotton jersey day dressBy Roberta Di CamerinoLocated in COLLINGWOOD, AUThis rare and collectible vintage 1970’s Roberta DI Camerino calf length day dress in black with cobalt blue undulating all over print in cotton jersey fabric is a super stylish addi...Category
1970s Italian Aesthetic Day Dresses
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
From the Runway to Rihanna, These Chanel Pearl Sunglasses Are the Peak of ’90s Chic
This cheeky accessory is seriously fun.
With a Wink, Karl Lagerfeld Sent This Egg-Carton-Shaped Chanel Bag Down the Runway
For the brand’s 2014–15 ready-to-wear show in Paris, the designer was inspired by a most unexpected place: the supermarket.