Chanel Black Patent Leather Perforated CC Tote
View Similar Items
Chanel Black Patent Leather Perforated CC Tote
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.
- Louis Vuitton Teal Blue Vernis Monogram Wilshire PM ToteBy Louis VuittonLocated in Palm Beach, FLThis authentic Louis Vuitton Teal Blue Vernis Monogram Wilshire PM Tote is in excellent condition. Dark teal blue monogram Vernis leather is glossy and weather friendly. Double str...Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Tote Bags
- Chanel Vintage Dark Green Crocodile Tote BriefcaseBy ChanelLocated in Palm Beach, FLThis authentic Chanel Dark Green Crocodile Tote Briefcase is in excellent condition. Very rare, Chanel no longer produces exotics. This is an exceptio...Category
Late 20th Century European Briefcases and Attachés
- Chanel Graphite Grey Lambskin Small ToteBy ChanelLocated in Palm Beach, FLThis authentic Chanel Graphite Lambskin Small Tote is in pristine unworn condition. Perfect for every day, the simple silhouette carries all the essent...Category
2010s European Tote Bags
- Chanel Black Caviar Petit Shopping ToteBy ChanelLocated in Palm Beach, FLThis authentic Chanel Black Caviar Petit Shopping Tote is in pristine condition. The beloved PST is from the Timeless Classics Collection and is a versatile accompaniment to any ens...Category
Early 2000s European Tote Bags
- Christian Dior Latte Cupidon Embroidered Medium Book ToteBy Christian DiorLocated in Palm Beach, FLChristian Dior Embroidered Canvas Cupidon Medium Book Tote- Pristine; appears never carried. Part of a capsule collection, this striking tote features Eros, the Greek God of Love. C...Category
2010s European Tote Bags
- Chome Hearts Black Leather Tote with Cross AppliqueBy Chrome HeartsLocated in Palm Beach, FLThis authentic Chrome Hearts Black Leather Bag with cross applique patches is pristine. Spacious black leather top zip tote with optional shoulder strap. Silver hardware. PBF 14051Category
2010s Tote Bags
- Hermes Birkin 35 Bois de rose matte alligator bagBy HermèsLocated in New York, NYHermes Birkin 35 Bois de rose matte alligator bag. In great pre owned condition. Has some minor wear on hardware and corners. Dust bag, keys, Clochette and locker.Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Tote Bags
- Goyard Goyardine Reversible Anjou PM Black Gold ToteBy GoyardLocated in Denver, COCondition: This authentic Goyard tote is in excellent condition. There is minor cracking on handle base glazing and light marks on leather. Includes: Removable pouch and dust bag F...Category
2010s Tote Bags
- Goyard Goyardine Reversible Anjou PM Black Gold ToteBy GoyardLocated in Denver, COCondition: This authentic Goyard tote is in excellent condition. There is minor cracking on handle base glazing and light marks on leather. Includes: Removable pouch and dust bag F...Category
2010s Tote Bags
- Chanel 1991 Vintage Black Caviar Triple CC Gold Shoulder Shopping ToteBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel 1991 Vintage Black Caviar Triple CC Gold Shoulder Shopping Tote Year: 1991 {33 Years Vintage} Gold hardware Classic interwoven chain strap Three CC gold logos on either si...Category
1990s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
- Chanel Vintage Green Nylon Quilted Coco Cocoon Bowler Carry On Travel Tote BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Vintage Green Nylon Quilted Coco Cocoon Bowler Tote Bag Diamond quilted nylon in green Facing green leather-trimmed zipper pocket with a Chanel ...Category
2010s Italian Tote Bags
- Chanel Vintage 90's Tweed Beige Classic Reissue Tote BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Vintage Tweed Beige Classic Reissue Tote Bag W 10.63 inch, H 7.87 inch, D 3.15 inch Year 1994 Made in FranceCategory
1990s 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.