Chanel Haute Couture Lesage Embroidered Ensemble
View Similar Items
Chanel Haute Couture Lesage Embroidered Ensemble
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 2005 A Collection Tweed and Leather Skirt SetBy ChanelLocated in Carmel, CAChanel fantasy tweed skirt set from 2005 A collection. Skirt features a copper metallic leather trimmed waist, back zipper closure, and full lining. Top has a V-neckline, leather str...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Skirt Suits
- Norman Norell 1940s Matte Jersey Corseted Blouse and SkirtBy Norman NorellLocated in Carmel, CANorman Norell vintage 1940s black matte jersey blouse and skirt set. Blouse has a laced attached boned and corseted faille corset waistband and dolman cut sleeves. Skirt has a side m...Category
Early 20th Century American Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- 1980's Christian Dior Chiffon Skirt Suit Numbered Collection 41CBy Christian DiorLocated in Carmel, CALate 1980's Christian Dior Boutique chiffon skirt with separate asymmetrical fitted bodice in black crepe. The ensemble has a numbered label and handwritten tag identifying the colle...Category
1980s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Gianni Versace Couture Bodycon Knit Skirt and Top Set VintageBy Gianni Versace Couture, Gianni VersaceLocated in Carmel, CAGianni Versace black knit skirt and top set, size 6. • Back zipper closure on skirt • Top measurements: 28”, length 18” • Skirt measurements: waist 27”, hips 32”, length 20” Made...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Skirts
- YSL Yves Saint Laurent Vintage 1970s Matte Jersey Top/Skirt EnsembleBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Carmel, CAYSL matte jersey set includes: ruched strapless shell, waist tie/scarf, full gathered short skirt. Strapless shell has a zipper and hook-and-eye fastening a...Category
1970s French Skirt Suits
- Comme des Garçons Junya Watanabe Skirt Jacket Suit See Through Panels 2001By Comme des Garçons, Junya WatanabeLocated in Carmel, CAComme des Garçons Junya Watanabe Black Wool Skirt Jacket Suit from 2001 See Through Panels at waist of jacket, back style lines in the shape of a soccer ball. Skirt is fitted with an...Category
Early 2000s Japanese Skirt Suits
- Dolce & Gabbana black 3-piece ensemble with ostrich feathers, A/W 1995By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GB- Silk chiffon loose fitted blouse with ostrich feather trim on collar and cuffs (IT42-FR-38-UK10) - Black satin bra with lace trim and adjustable straps...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Gianni Versace multicoloured velvet mini dress and leggings set, fw 1992By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GB▪ Gianni Versace multicoloured velvet mini dress and leggings set ▪ All over abstract print in blue, purple, pink, red and gold ▪ Turtle neck m...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vivienne Westwood rope print knitted cowl-neck top and drape skirt set, ss 1998By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GB▪ Vivienne Westwood rayon-knit top and skirt 2-piece set ▪ Allover beige rope print ▪ Cowl-neck top ▪ Draped knee-length skirt with elasticated waistband ▪ Size Medium ▪ 100% Rayo...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Dolce & Gabbana tiger print and denim 3-piece skirt suit, fw 1999By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GB▪ Dolce & Gabbana 3-piece skirt suit ▪ Fitted jacket in black denim with red contrast topstitch ▪ Bra-top with open back and tiger-print front with sequins ▪ Low-rise maxi skirt w...Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Gianni Versace navy blue open-knit bodycon dress and cardigan set, fw 1993By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GB▪ Gianni Versace navy blue open-knit dress and cardigan 2 piece set ▪ Sleeveless bodycon maxi dress with lining ▪ Long-sleeve full-length cardigan ▪ Gold Medusa buttons ▪ Can be wo...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Gianni Versace black wool double strap playsuit with gold crystal studs, ss 1992By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GB▪ Gianni Versace black evening playsuit ▪ Double strap ▪ Sweetheart neckline ▪ Bow and criss-cross detail at center-front ▪ Gold studs with crystals ▪ 62% Virgin Wool, 38% Silk ...Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
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.