Chanel S/S 12 strapless sequin pearlised sea shell appliqué knee length dress
View Similar Items
Chanel S/S 12 strapless sequin pearlised sea shell appliqué knee length dress
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. 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.
- Etro paisley print red blue black white halter neck backless draped maxi dressBy EtroLocated in Paris, FREtro paisley print floor length dress from the S/S 2014 runway collection Halter neck cut with a draped neckline Body con stretch fit Backless Colours consist of red, blue, green, b...Category
2010s Italian Maxi Dresses
- Jean Paul Gaultier watercolour print sleeveless off the shoulder midi dress MBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Paris, FRJean Paul Gaultier Maille vintage off the shoulder stretch viscose dress Graffiti print in an array of colours that include in varying shades ...Category
Early 2000s Italian Informal Dresses
- Chloe S/S10 ivory white beige chiffon silk layered sleeveless wedding dress gownBy ChloéLocated in Paris, FRLOVE LALI Vintage Look 29 from the Chloe Spring Summer 2010 runway collection Floor length silk gown in what one would call off white/ecru, or a very pal...Category
2010s Unknown Wedding Dresses
- Escada vintage white red heart print button up denim jean sleeveless dressBy EscadaLocated in Paris, FREscada vintage white denim jean dress with red heart print Buttons up the front with gold logo engraved buttons Cross over straps at the back Two flap pockets either side on the bre...Category
1990s German Informal Dresses
- Ralph Lauren halter neck red black beige stripe striped maxi jersey gown dressBy Ralph LaurenLocated in Paris, FRRalph Lauren floor length dress in red, black, yellow and beige stripe Halter neck rope tie neck Drop ruched waist Two side pockets Composition: 78% Viscose, 22% Linen Size: Small...Category
2010s Hong Kong Maxi Dresses
- Bevza wool cut out long sleeve ivory cream slit midi sweater dress XSLocated in Paris, FRA beautiful wool dress by the designer BEVZA in ivory/cream Cut out detail Three hooks at the bust Central back zip Back slit Size XS 100% wool New with tags Measurements: (dress h...Category
2010s Ukrainian Informal Dresses
- Gianni Versace Fuchsia Floral One Shoulder DressBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Milano, ITFabulous one-shoulder short dress designed by Gianni Versace in the 1990s, made in Italy. ORIGINAL LABEL. The dress is very seductive, made entirely of a soft fuchsia fabric with a f...Category
1990s Italian Aesthetic Day Dresses
$797 Sale Price20% Off - D&G Vintage Leopard Mini DressBy D&G by DOLCE & GABBANALocated in Milano, ITSexy vintage dress designed by Dolce & Gabbana in the 1990s, made in Italy. ORIGINAL LABEL. The dress is a mini dress, reaching above the knee. It h...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses
$752 Sale Price20% Off - F/W 2002 Gucci by Tom Ford Beige Silk Satin Ribbon DressBy Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in West Hollywood, CAPresenting a gorgeous taupe satin silk Gucci dress, designed by Tom Ford. From the Fall/Winter 2002 collection, this beautiful mid-length dress features a v...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Fendi Taupe and Peach Cotton Knit Dress - 42By FendiLocated in West Palm Beach, FLThis Fendi cotton knit dress is light taupe with peach trim on the collar and neckline. The skirt has slight pleating and a taupe, peach, black, and ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Day Dresses
- Charles Jourdan Multi Abstract Print and Mesh Dress - SBy Charles JourdanLocated in West Palm Beach, FLThis Charles Jourdan dress is made of cotton and has a white and multi-color abstract print on it. The dress is sleeveless and tapered with mesh paneling on both sides and two small ...Category
1990s French Day Dresses
- Moroccan Caftan, Silk Brocade Vintage KaftanLocated in North Hollywood, CAElegant Moroccan caftan silk gold damask gorgeous vintage hostess gown. Light green floral leaf design on silk Kaftan circa 1970s. Exotic oriental long maxi caftan dress with long sleeves in shimmering brocade beige and gold fabric. One of a kind evening Moroccan Middle Eastern gown. This long maxi dress kaftan is embellished entirely by hand. The front is embellished at the front with woven gold buttons and loops that run down the center to the hemline. The cuffs and border seams are accented with handmade applique gold trim. This exotic Arabic maxi dress caftan gown makes a very extravagant garment for formal attire to transitions effortlessly to casual wear. Handcrafted in Morocco and tailored for a relaxed fit with wide sleeves, It is made in the traditional form of a Moroccan caftan using metallic brocade fabric and trimmed in handcrafted “passementerie”. The body of the garment is loose fitting and flares to the bottom. The sleeves are somewhat bell shaped with an open cuff that closes up with metallic gold buttons. The fabric is a rich looking metallic thread blend brocade. This long maxi dress kaftan is embroidered and embellished entirely by hand with detailing around a traditional neckline, with embellished sleeves In Morocco, fashion preserves its traditional style inherited from great civilizations that found their way to Northwest Africa, such as the Ottomans and the Moors. Moroccan fashion has been recognized for its style and has garnered a reputation, winning awards in international fashion shows throughout Europe. Marrakech Bohemian style. Sizing: No size is indicated, but, being a loose fitting garment, this should fit a range of medium to large sizes - please rely on the following measurements for fit: Measurements: Bust 36”. Waist 36”. Hips 44”. Across shoulders 13”. Sleeve length 25.5”. Centre back length 60”. Handcrafted by Moroccan Artist designer, this is a one of a kind caftan, inspired by the tales of princess of the Arabian Nights. The Kaftan is a long and wide tunic, collarless, long-sleeved, worn by man and women in Africa and the Middle East. The Moroccan kaftans inspired European and global designers as Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino, Oscar de La Renta, Emilio Pucci, and many more who made the Moorish caftans famous in the 1960s and 1970s. Loose fit this caftan blends ease and timeless style with its relaxed fit and intricate embroidery, for a casual evening out or dress it up with jeweled sandals...Category
20th Century Moroccan Maxi Dresses
$1,000 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.