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, she 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 introduced in 1955 with its gold-chain shoulder strap that freed up a woman’s hands. Chanel's 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 Hermes Gold Zodiac Print Scarf Maxi DressBy HermèsLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to present a vintage Hermes black, gold, and white silk scarf dress featuring a deep V neckline, wide straps, handkerchief point hem, and iconic Hermes zodiac...Category
20th Century French Day Dresses
- Stunning Dolce & Gabbana D&G Leopard Print Silk Evening GownBy Dolce & Gabbana, D&G by DOLCE & GABBANALocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection is excited to offer a vintage Dolce & Gabbana D&G leopard print evening gown featuring a keyhole front, necktie, gold buttons, short sleeves, semi-sheer fabric, full-len...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Dresses
- Vintage 1995 Versace Black Velvet Runway Evening GownBy VersaceLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Versace black velvet evening gown featuring a draped chiffon inset, deep v-neck, and sculpted back panel. Versace Size S or 38 M...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vintage Moschino Italian Flag "Fake" Glass Bead DressBy MoschinoLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Moschino by Franco Moschino black and white "Fake" text mini dress with a white graphic arrow and glass necklace collar. The decorative necklace features the colors of the Italian flag...Category
1980s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Moschino Couture Orange Moire Silk & Black Lace Trim DressBy Moschino CoutureLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage orange Moschino Couture by Franco Moschino cotton rayon blend mini dress: featuring moire faille fabric, black lace trim, and cente...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Vintage Moschino Black Leather Skirt Suit with Gold Chain Tassels 1989By MoschinoLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Moschino by Franco Moschino black leather motorcycle jacket and skirt. Both pieces feature gold thimbles with gold chains. Like new...Category
1980s Italian Skirt Suits
- 2000s Diane Freis Hand Beaded Ombre Evening DressBy Diane FreisLocated in Hong Kong, HKStep back in time with this stunning vintage 2000s Diane Freis dress. Crafted from luxurious yellow and blue silk, this dress exudes elegance and sophistication. The ombre effect add...Category
Early 2000s Chinese Evening Dresses
- Jean-Louis Scherrer Couture beaded crêpe de chine evening ensemble, S/S 1999By Jean-Louis ScherrerLocated in London, GB- Haute Couture - Full length kimono - Full length skirt with draped, irregular waistline - Organza bodice covered in wood, cork, rhinestone beads and pearlised sequins - Designed by Stephane...Category
1990s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Worlds End orange cotton jersey toga dress with Henri Matisse print, A / W 1982By Vivienne Westwood, Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLarenLocated in London, GB- Designed by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren - Henri Matisse - Femmes et Singes (1954) printed in brown 'Buffalo / Nostalgia of Mud' Autumn-W...Category
1980s British Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Herve Leger Grey Sequin Embellished Knit Cap Sleeve Bandage Dress MBy Herve LégerLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2The Herve Leger dress exudes sophistication and allure. Crafted from premium fabric, it clings to the body's curves flawlessly, highlighting feminine silhouettes. The cap sleeve desi...Category
2010s Italian Evening Dresses
- Versace Black Silk Crepe Crystal Embellished Strap Gown MBy VersaceLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2For all evening soirées and high-affair parties, a gown like this makes sure you look the best of all. Tailored into a superb fit and style, this gown is elevated with a stunning nec...Category
2010s Italian Evening Dresses
- Saint Laurent Black Crepe & Jersey Draped Gown SBy Saint LaurentLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Resplendent, elegant, and gorgeous, this gown defines it all. Flaunting a floor-length silhouette, this gown is beautified using stunning details and a stylish neckline. Wear it with...Category
2010s Italian Evening 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.