CHANEL
View Similar Items
CHANEL
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 1 (NA)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Perfect.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: AU120423451105
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.
- Walter Van Beirendonck Hologram Cosmetics BagBy Walter Van BeirendonckLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Walt cosmetic bag featuring four holographic panels, a top zipper, and a "W" keychain. Walt O...Category
1990s Belgian Novelty Bags
- Miu Miu Brown Patent Leather Psychedelic Waist Bag BeltBy Miu MiuLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Miu Miu burgundy patent leather waist bag with a hologram psychedelic printed adjustable waist belt, velcro closures, and tiny spar...Category
1990s Italian Wallets and Small Accessories
- Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquiere Black Leather & Studded Chrome Bag 2007By Nicholas Ghesquiere, BalenciagaLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer an iconic vintage black Balenciaga by Nicolas Ghesquiere studded leather bag featuring front pockets, folder over flap closure with snap, sho...Category
Early 2000s French Structured Shoulder Bags
- Miu Miu Black & White Abstract Pattern Bowling BagBy Miu MiuLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Miu Miu black and white bowling bag style handbag that features a geometric print, black leather trim and bow, front pocket with fl...Category
1990s Italian Top Handle Bags
- Miu Miu Orange Patent & Red Shearling BagBy Miu MiuLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage 1990s Miu Miu red and orange patent leather and shearling shoulder bag featuring small pocket with velcro closure, back slit pocket...Category
1990s Italian Shoulder Bags
- Gucci 1970s Canvas & Leather Sun Print Shoulder BagBy GucciLocated in Los Angeles, CAA vintage Gucci navy canvas shoulder bag with yellow and white sun print. Leather shoulder strap zipper top, and brass-tone metal hardware. Excelle...Category
1970s Italian Shoulder Bags
- Chanel Orylag Triple Chain Flap BagBy ChanelLocated in London, GBA stylish and Chic Chanel Orylag flap bag from the Fall/Winter 2015 Act 1 Collection. The exterior of this bag features a navy orylag fur with antiqued s...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Chanel 2004 Beige Mini Flap Beige Cream Python Mini Clutch Top Handle Flap BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLSpring 2004 {VINTAGE 18 Years} -Beige python leather -Ruthenium hardware -Classic interwoven triple chain -CC classic lock closure at frontal flap -White satin lining -Small interio...Category
Early 2000s French Clutches
- Chanel Classic Flap Clutch Gabrielle Brasserie Menu Burgundy Black Lambskin BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLBrasserie Gabrielle Menu Classic Flap Clutch is sold out everywhere. A beautiful and elegant piece for a Chanel collector.Category
2010s French Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Chanel Limited Edition Curved Warped Mirror Silver Metallic Minaudière ClutchBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Limited Edition Curved Warped Mirror Silver Metallic Minaudière Clutch Color Silver Metallic Material Stainless Steel, Leather Year 2013 Made ...Category
2010s French Clutches
- Chanel 2006 Spring Runway Vintage Mini Resin Pillbox Crossbody Clutch MinaudièreBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel resin pillbox limited edition runway minaudière 2006 {VINTAGE 15 Years} Silver hardware Circular resin design with CC logo Black leather interior lining 2.25”W x 4”H x 2”D...Category
Early 2000s French Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Tom Ford for Gucci Mink Box Gold Removable Chain Leather Clutch Mini BagBy GucciLocated in Montgomery, TXA small but attention-grabbing plum color mink box clutch with gold leather interior and a removal gold chain is the perfect accessory to an evening outing. The mink fur adds elegance and glamour to any look from a sexy silk slip dress to edgy leather...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
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.