Chanel Silver Lait de Coco Bag
View Similar Items
Chanel Silver Lait de Coco Bag
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 Black Vintage Beaded Mini Box Evening BagBy ChanelLocated in Palm Beach, FLThis authentic Chanel Black Beaded Mini Box Bag is in excellent vintage condition from the late 1990's. A rare and stunning evening bag for any collectio...Category
1990s Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Chanel Plexiglass No. 5 Perfume Bottle BagBy ChanelLocated in Palm Beach, FLThis authentic Chanel Plexiglass No. 5 Perfume Bottle Bag is a runway piece in excellent condition. Extremely rare, it is a must have piece for any colle...Category
2010s Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Chanel Ivory Jersey Evening Bag with Mirrored Pyramid StudsBy ChanelLocated in Palm Beach, FLThis authentic Chanel Ivory Mirrored Fabric Evening Bag is in excellent condition. Silver mirrored adornment paired with winter white jersey is a beautiful combination that stands o...Category
Early 2000s Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Chanel Paris Byzance Bronze Leather Jeweled Evening BagBy ChanelLocated in Palm Beach, FLChanel Paris Byzance Bronze Leather Jeweled Evening Bag is in pristine condition. The collection features accents that incorporate the Byzantine i...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Chanel Beige Satin Applique Frame BagBy ChanelLocated in Palm Beach, FLThis authentic Chanel Beige Satin Applique Clutch is in excellent condition. Very unique ornamentation combines beautifully with edgy silver accents. B...Category
Early 2000s Italian Clutches
- Chanel Vintage Black Resin Evening BagBy ChanelLocated in Palm Beach, FLThis authentic Chanel Black Resin Evening Bag is in excellent vintage condition from the late 1980's A rare piece that is a must have for any collect...Category
20th Century French Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Judith Leiber Silver Bullfrog Miniaudiere, 1980sBy Judith LeiberLocated in Scottsdale, AZNo need to kiss anymore frogs- your price charming has arrived (in bag form, that is!) Add some novelty to your evening looks with our amazing 1980s Judith Leiber silver...Category
1980s Unknown Evening Bags and Minaudières
- VALENTINO silver bead embellished grey leather crossbody large tote bagBy ValentinoLocated in Hong Kong, NTVALENTINO silver bead embellished grey leather crossbody large tote bag Reference: WEWN/A00017 Brand: Valentino Model: Embellished leather tote Material: Leather Color: Grey Pa...Category
2010s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
- MM Silver Convertible ClutchBy Morris MoskowitzLocated in Alford, MAMorris Moskowitz clutch in silver leather that has been quilted in a star design. The foldover clutch has a divided interior, one side with zippered compartment. A thin silver chain ...Category
Late 20th Century American Clutches
- Victorian Sterling Silver Mesh Evening Handbag with FringeLocated in New York, NYWonderfully detailed, this sterling silver mesh weave evening handbag is accented with a sterling silver fringe. The fringe measures from 1" inch to 2" inch in length along the botto...Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Asprey Co Ltd. Sterling Silver Opulent Art Deco Compact c 1920sBy Asprey International LimitedLocated in University City, MOAsprey London Sterling silver opulent art deco vanity compact c 1920s The elegant vintage compact is designed with sterling silver The sterling panels ...Category
Early 20th Century British Evening Bags and Minaudières
$775 Sale Price39% Off - Hermes Micro Sac 46mm Villandry Noir Silver Paper Clip Chain Limited EditionBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLMightychic offers an Hermes Runway Limited Edition 70mm Micro Sac features Black Veau Villandry leather. This 3" Micro Mini Sac features palladium Paper Clip...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
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.