CHANEL
View Similar Items
CHANEL
About the Item
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. 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. The 1957 two-tone slingback pumps had a practical heel height while offering a bold statement in the black tip of the shoes.
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. 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.
- Gianni VersaceBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Los Angeles, CASoft leather dress with interesting neckline detail and hip pouch pocket. Relaxed easy fit through shoulders and waist. A stunning example of ear...Category
1980s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
$1,600 - Junya Watanabe Black Nylon Pleat Tank Dress 1996By Junya Watanabe Comme des GarçonsLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Junya Watanabe black deconstructed pleated day dress featuring a scoop neckline, tank sleeves, pleated front, and easy skirt. Colle...Category
1990s Japanese Shift Dresses
- Junya Watanabe Floral Embroidered Dress 2011By Junya WatanabeLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Junya Watanabe for Comme des Garcons lace tunic top featuring pink and orange floral embroidery, handkerchief hem, square neckline,...Category
2010s Japanese Informal Dresses
- Vintage Dolce & Gabbana Double Layer Pinstripe DressBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Los Angeles, CAVintage Dolce & Gabbana black and rust cotton pinstripe apron dress with mesh underlay, zipper closure at back and slit. Excellent Condition. Size: IT...Category
1990s Italian Informal Dresses
- Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Autumn Tone Paisley Ruffle & Taffeta Trim EnsembleBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage autumn paisley wool skirt and blouse ensemble featuring a blouse with taffeta trim at the collar, cuf...Category
20th Century French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Vintage Yves Saint Laurent Black Plaid & Velvet Smock Dress Circa 1970'sBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Yves Saint Laurent black plaid wool dress with magenta, orange, and purple windowpane details. The dress features a black velvet bu...Category
20th Century French Day Dresses
- Rare Original Issey Miyake Black Wool Butterfly CoatBy Issey MiyakeLocated in New York, NYRare Issey Miyake black wool butterfly coat with original label. Features button closure at front center. One size fits all.Category
Late 20th Century Japanese Coats
- Genuine Ottoman Egyptian Couture Art Deco Hand Woven Paisley Brocade CoatLocated in New York, NYGenuine Egyptian Art Deco hand woven ivory brocade dress coat with indigo and mulberry floral and paisley design. Hand woven brocade border down front of coat, sleeve cuffs and all a...Category
Early 20th Century Egyptian Opera Coats
$3,600 Sale Price25% Off - Jean Muir Emerald Green Viscose Jersey Cocktail DressBy Jean MuirLocated in New York, NYJean Muir emerald green jersey cocktail dress with long wrap sash. Sash may also be worn as long scarf around neck, and tied at lower back. Front of dress has asymmetrical pleating. ...Category
Late 20th Century British Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Badgley Mischka Beaded Black Silk Lace Evening Gown Size US 10By Badgley MischkaLocated in New York, NYBadgley Mischka glamorous black silk lace evening gown, size US 10. Gown features hand beaded and embroidered lace with glass jet beading, and neckline with glass jet beads along cu...Category
Late 20th Century American Evening Gowns
- Giorgio Armani Pearl Grey Jacket Size 44 EU NewBy Giorgio ArmaniLocated in New York, NYSoft and luxurious Giorgio Armani pearl grey jacket , new with tags. Beautifully tapered to fit the body. The jacket features a notched lapel collar, and three matte buttons down the...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Jackets
- Giambattista Valli Ivory Crepe Sleeveless Wedding Gown Dress EU 40By Giambattista ValliLocated in New York, NYElegant Giambattista Valli ivory crepe sleeveless wedding gown has a delicate fitted bust, darts to accentuate the length of waist, which is finished with a stitched ribbon at the wa...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
$2,000 Sale Price20% Off
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.