Black Chanel Fall/Winter 2009 Short Sleeve Cashmere Dress Size FR 50
View Similar Items
Black Chanel Fall/Winter 2009 Short Sleeve Cashmere Dress Size FR 50
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.
- Vintage Pink & Multicolor Emilio Pucci 1970s Geometric Print Dress Size US 6By Emilio PucciLocated in New York, NYVintage pink and multicolor geometric print dress by Emilio Pucci. Circa 1970s. V-neck. Long sleeves. 34" bust, 26" waist, 35" length, 15" shoulder width.Category
1970s Day Dresses
$340 Sale Price20% Off - Vintage Rust Saint Laurent 1978 Tunic Dress Size FR 40By Saint LaurentLocated in New York, NYVintage rust tunic dress by Saint Laurent. Circa 1978. Pointed collar. Long sleeves. Dual hip pockets. Drawstring at waist. Button closures at front. 40" bust, 19" shoulder width, 18...Category
1970s Tunics and Wrap Dresses
$420 Sale Price20% Off - Black & White Dolce & Gabbana Floral Print Long Sleeve DressBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in New York, NYBlack and white floral print long sleeve dress by Dolce & Gabbana. Pussy bow at neck. Buttons at front bodice. Zip closure at center back. Designer size 38. 33" bust, 26" waist, 38" ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Day Dresses
$720 Sale Price20% Off - Black Chloe Pleated Knit DressBy ZimmermannLocated in New York, NYBlack pleated knit dress by Chloe. Crew neck. Long sleeves. 30" bust, 24" waist, 35" length, 16.5" shoulder width.Category
21st Century and Contemporary Day Dresses
$260 Sale Price20% Off - Vintage Fuchsia Alaia 1980s Sleeveless Dress Size US XSLocated in New York, NYVintage fuchsia sleeveless dress by Alaia. Circa 1980s. V-neck. Zip closure at center front. 26" bust, 20" waist, 40.5" length, 12" shoulder width.Category
1980s European Formal Wear
- Black Saint Laurent Leather & Mesh-Accented Dress Size US XSBy Saint LaurentLocated in New York, NYBlack long sleeve mini dress by Saint Laurent. Mesh panel accent at front bodice. Leather waist detail. 30" bust, 26" waist, 35" length, 15" shoulder width.Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Mini Dresses
- New Chanel Baby Pink Silver Studded Embellished Dress Size 38By ChanelLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLThe ultimate in fashion making luxury craftsmanship. The Iconic House of Chanel always provides us with timeless and classic pieces. The beautiful dress takes timeless creation to a ...Category
2010s French Cocktail Dresses
- S/S 1990 Thierry Mugler Black and Green Sculptural DressBy Thierry MuglerLocated in New York, NYS/S 1990 Thierry Mugler Black Cotton Dress with Layered, Tiered Skirt Panels Backed with Acid Green Cotton; Fitted Bodice with Adjustable Straps; Self Belt w...Category
1990s French Cocktail Dresses
- c. 1970s HALSTON Orange Matte Jersey Halter Dress with Matching JacketBy HalstonLocated in New York, NYc. 1970s HALSTON Orange Matte Jersey Halter Dress with Matching Jacket; Draped U-Neckline with Cowl Back; Rouleau Strap with Hook and Eye Closure; Slit at Center Front; Short Sleeve ...Category
1970s American Aesthetic Day Dresses
- ALAÏA 1990 black knitted mini dressBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Genève, CHAlaïa knitted mini dress with sheer raised edge skirt -Back closing with a hidden set zipper -Long sleeves -Nude knitted lining -Made in Italy -100% V...Category
1990s Italian Mini Dress
- ALBERTO BINI 1990 leather mini dress with gold tone Lion NEW with tagBy AlbertoLocated in Genève, CHThis vintage dress from Alberto Bini is coming directly from the 90s, and it's also a beautiful ode to Versace universe. -Lion detail in metal gold tone ...Category
1980s French Mini Dress
- D&G 90S gold spaghetti strap hand print Mini DressBy D&G by DOLCE & GABBANA, Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Genève, CHMiami club vibes! This dress speaks for itself and is just plain FUN. We love the curated color way, especially the pops of chartreuse, lilac and baby pink. A faux patent leather tr...Category
1990s Mini 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.