Chanel Stretch Halter Mini Sun Dress with Chanel Ice Cream Cone Print, 2004
View Similar Items
Chanel Stretch Halter Mini Sun Dress with Chanel Ice Cream Cone Print, 2004
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.
- Chanel Grey & White Striped Mini Dress 2009By ChanelLocated in Studio City, CA2009 Cruise collection Chanel mini dress in a repeating pattern of pale grey and off-white stripes with horizontal ribbing interwoven with pale silver and gold metallic lurex threads...Category
Early 2000s French Day Dresses
- Gianni Versace Printed "Opera Balleto Teatro Cinema" Cotton Mini Dress 1991 S/SBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Studio City, CAGianni Versace mini dress from the iconic 1991 S/S collection - bearing the famous "Opera Balleto Teatro Cinema" print. There is no fabric or size tag but the dress appears to be mad...Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses
- Yves Saint Laurent Purple Floral Silk Day Dress 1970'sBy Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in Studio City, CA1970's Yves Saint Laurent purple floral print day dress with short sleeves, button closures down center front, frontal patch pockets, a self belt and a drop pleated skirt. 100% silk,...Category
1970s French Day Dresses
$1,050 Sale Price25% Off - Vintage Anne Klein Silk Mini Dress w/Ikat Print & ElephantsBy Anne KleinLocated in Studio City, CAVintage Anne Klein from the Donna Karan era mini dress w/Ikat-style print featuring elephants and humans wearing hats standing under a temple.Shoulder ties fasten at the back by mean...Category
1970s American Day Dresses
- Chanel 2006C Black Bodycon Dress w/Lace Cutouts & TrimBy ChanelLocated in Studio City, CAChanel 2006 Cruise collection fitted black ribbed stretchy dress featuring a deep V-neckline and transparent lace cutouts design motif below the bust and at the flounced high-low hem...Category
Early 2000s French Day Dresses
- Yves Saint Laurent Red Wool Maxi Dress w/Blue & Green Colorblock TrimBy Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in Studio City, CAIconic Yves Saint Laurent red wool maxi dress with blue and green wool trim. The dress is being sold at a deep discount because it has several condition issues - the red interior sil...Category
1970s French Day Dresses
- Jean Paul Gaultier JPG Basquiat Opaque Sketch Graffiti Comic Street Art DressBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in PARIS, FRJean Paul Gaultier JPG Basquiat Opaque mesh sketch graffiti comic street art vintage 90s Optical Butterfly Maxi Long Tattoo Dress Robe Long dress Jean Paul Gaultier Jeans 0001 colle...Category
1990s French Maxi Dresses
- Jean Paul Gaultier Diver Tropical Parrot Mesh Purple Ruffled Swimmers DressBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in PARIS, FRJean Paul Gaultier Vintage Soleil Diver 90's Jean Tropical Parrot Maxi Mesh Sheer Transparent Ruffled Dress Rare Late 90's Jean Paul Gaultier Parrot Print Maxi Mesh Dress. Totally ...Category
1990s French Maxi Dresses
- Diane Freis 1980s DressBy Diane FreisLocated in New York, NY1980s Diane Freis Drop Waist Tiered Printed Dress with Bishop Sleeves and Ruffled Neckline. Like all of Freis' dresses, her prints were such an important element to every dress she p...Category
1980s Day Dresses
- Emilio Pucci 1970's DressBy Emilio PucciLocated in New York, NYStunning 1970s Emilio Pucci Blue Printed V-Neck Silk Jersey Dress with Drop Waist and Pleated Skirt. An iconic print and flattering silhouette combined make a timeless dress that wil...Category
1970s Italian Casual Dresses
- Vintage Tennis DressLocated in New York, NYVintage Leroy pleated tennis dress with red and blue lined v-neck. Marked by Leroy 100% Polyester Bust 34 in Waist 24 in Length 52 in Marked size 10 Excellent Vintage Condition. ...Category
1990s Day Dresses
- Chanel CC Logo Knit Cashmere Mini Dress '09By ChanelLocated in New York, NYChanel CC Logo Knit Cashmere Sleeveless Dress in Mint and Blue with Black trim. Look #51 From Chanel's Cruise 2009 Show in Miami, Florida. 100% Cashmere. Bust 30 in Waist 30 in Hips...Category
Early 2000s 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.