Chanel White Maltese Cross Brooch
About the Item
- Creator:
- Period:Late 20th Century
- Date of Manufacture:Unknown
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Dior Lapel clipBy Christian DiorLocated in London, GBAn exquisite Christian Dior vintage lapel clip by Roger Scemama featuring smoked and brown stones. This detailed piece would be an outstanding addition to a...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brooches
- Chanel Mirror pin with small rhinestonesBy ChanelLocated in London, GBFun in design this 2004 pin is in the style of a miniature vanity mirror. Made from tortoiseshell and set with small red and clear rhinestones this much-preloved piece will turn your...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Brooches
- 1950s Vintage EarringsLocated in London, GBGold-plated metallic earrings from the 1950s boasting a sphere design with pink and purple spiked crystals and clip-on fastenings. Returns Policy: Final Sale - No Returns. All ...Category
Vintage 1950s Clip-on Earrings
- Miu Miu Vintage 'St. Cocco' Grey BraceletBy Miu MiuLocated in London, GBThis Miu Miu bracelet features a gold-tone buckle fastening, gold-tone hardware and an embossed logo heart pendant and comes in Black Leather. Measurements: Circumference: 17.8 cm...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Modern Bracelets
- Miu Miu 'St. Cocco' Purple BraceletBy Miu MiuLocated in London, GBThis Miu Miu bracelet features a gold-tone buckle fastening, gold-tone hardware and an embossed logo heart pendant and comes in Purple Leather. Measurements: Circumference: 17.1 c...Category
20th Century Unknown Modern Bracelets
- Moschino Vintage Drop Peace EarringsLocated in London, GBMoschino Vintage Drop Peace Earrings. Add a cool dash of boho-chic to any ensemble with these Gold plated metal large drop peace earrings from Moschin...Category
20th Century Unknown Dangle Earrings
- Oxidised Sterling Silver "Void" BroochBy Sarah PulvertaftLocated in TUXEDO PARK, NYThis elegant, striking brooch in very contemporary oxidised sterling silver is designed and made by UK jeweler Sarah Pulvertaft. With its assymetric circle the entire brooch is compr...Category
2010s British Contemporary Brooches
MaterialsSterling Silver
- 18K Gold "Glimmering" BroochBy Sarah PulvertaftLocated in TUXEDO PARK, NYThis elegant, striking brooch in 18K gold is designed and made by UK jeweler Sarah Pulvertaft. Within its simple circle frame the entire brooch is comprised of individual mini cubes....Category
2010s British Contemporary Brooches
Materials18k Gold
- bee brooch / vintage jewelry , vintage broochLocated in Sammu shi, JPmaterial:brass, swarovski glass size:wide 3.8cm This cute bee brooch has a rounded silhouette. The design has no corners, so there is no discomfort ...Category
Vintage 1970s Japanese Artisan Brooches
MaterialsBrass, Gold
- Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT 70's Flower Brooch/NecklaceBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in PARIS, FRThis original and one-of-a-kind brooch is a vintage piece from Yves Saint Laurent from the 70's. Gold-toned, it is designed as a flower, composed of four petals with wired chains/lin...Category
Vintage 1970s French Brooches
MaterialsRock Crystal, Gold Plate
- Vintage YVES SAINT LAURENT 70's Haute Couture Gold Brooch/NecklaceBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in PARIS, FRThis singulare vintage piece from YVES SAINT LAURENT is a brooch from the 70's. It is designed as a cross with red and orange-toned stones in resin. A total of six stones are present...Category
Vintage 1970s French Brooches
- Vintage Chanel Camelia brooch in Gold métal from 1993By ChanelLocated in L'ESCALA, ESVintage Chanel Camelia brooch in gold metal centered with a pearly cabochon from 1993. Width 6cm height 5.5cm depth 2.7cm The central cabochon is...Category
1990s European Brooches
MaterialsGilt Metal
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.