Chanel Autumn '05 Black Lace Short Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 38 (EU)
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3229221155752
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: New York, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Chloé by Karl Lagerfeld Blue Long Sleeve Dress With Multi Color SequinBy ChloéLocated in New York, NYChloè by Karl Lagerfeld Blue Long Sleeve Dress With Multi Color Sequin. This dress is a sophisticated and elegant piece in a rich blue hue, with...Category
1990s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Carolina Herrera 1980s Black Sequin Gown (Original Sample)By Carolina HerreraLocated in New York, NYThis Carolina Herrera 1980s gown is a true embodiment of extravagance and glamour. Caroline Herrara's designs carry the essence of elegance and luxury, making it onto various First L...Category
1980s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Oleg Cassini Black Embellished Cocktail DressBy Oleg CassiniLocated in New York, NYOleg Cassini Black Embellished Cocktail Dress. Most known for his bridal and evening wear, Oleg Cassini humbly began his career selling his designs out of his mothers dress shop in F...Category
1950s Cocktail Dresses
- Christian Dior 1980's Black Velvet Dress With Pink BottomBy Christian DiorLocated in New York, NYChristian Dior 1980's Black Velvet Dress with Pink Bottom. This dress is a step back into the 80s through its perfectly nostolgic design. Combined ...Category
1980s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Bill Blass 1970's Black Evening Dress With Pink and Red BowBy Bill BlassLocated in New York, NYBill Blass 1970's Black Evening Dress with Pink and Red Bow. This dress speaks for itself. The simple black silhouette enhanced with a giant pink and red bow creates a fabulous contr...Category
1970s Evening Dresses
- Christian Lacroix Couture Yellow Off The Shoulder DressBy Christian LacroixLocated in New York, NYChristian Lacroix Couture Yellow Off the Shoulder Dress. This couture creation is crafted from a luxurious yellow silk that radiates vibrancy ...Category
1990s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- MORPHEW COLLECTION Lilac Silver Antique Silk Lamé Gown With 1930S CrystalsBy MorphewLocated in New York, NYMORPHEW COLLECTION Lilac Silver Antique Silk Lamé Gown With 1930S Crystals MORPHEW COLLECTION is made entirely by hand in our NYC Ateliér of rare antique materials sourced from arou...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Evening Gowns
- Runway Yves Saint Laurent S/S 1989 Lipstick Red Rayon Jersey Strapless 80s DressBy Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in San Diego, CASensational vintage YSL Rive Gauche spring / summer 1989 runway lipstick red rayon jersey strapless 1980s dress ! The same dress was featured on the runway in black. Sash at side wai...Category
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
- Roland Klein black strapless dress with black and white striped trainBy Roland KleinLocated in Austin, TX1980s Roland Klein black strapless dress with black and white train. Acetate fabric. 34" bust, 26" waist, 40" hips, 48" front length - 54 1/2" ba...Category
1980s British Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Black see-though lace on a tulle base Christian DiorBy Christian DiorLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRBlack see-though lace on a tulle base. Zip in the middle back. SIZE 36 (Fr) 4 (US)Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Matthew Williamson Navy Blue Smocked Waist Detail Embellished Neck Sleeveless DrBy Matthew WilliamsonLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2When you feel like looking fantastic, pick this dress from Matthew Williamson. This sleeveless outfit exudes modernity and elegance with its beautifully embellished neck and interest...Category
2010s Italian Evening Dresses
- Vivienne Westwood Nude Satin, Black Lace and Velvet Corset and Skirt, FW 1996By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GB▪ Brand: Vivienne Westwood Gold Label ▪ Creative Director: Vivienne Westwood ▪ Collection: Fall-Winter 1996 ▪ Fabric: Black Lace, Nude Satin ▪ Details: One-shoulder corset top adorn...Category
1990s English Evening Dresses and Gowns
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.