Chanel Little Black Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: 40 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Material Notes:- 100% Wool. Lining. 95% Silk, 5% Lycra.
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Sheung Wan, HK
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU32322105163
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Sheung Wan, Hong Kong
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Gianni Versace Black Knitted Wool Side Silt SweaterBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Sheung Wan, HK- Vintage 90s Gianni Versace black knitted wool pullover sweater. You can also wear it as a dress. - Featuring knitted floral pattern. Different knitted pattern on the hem. - Sid...Category
1990s Italian Pullovers
- Vintage 90s Moschino Black Wool "LOVE IS IN THE AIR" DressBy MoschinoLocated in Sheung Wan, HK- Vintage 90s Cheap and Chic Moschino black wool dress. - Gold "LOVE IN THE AIR" and red velvet "IS" with golden wings embroidered at the back. - Size 42 IT, 38FR. - 50% Woo...Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses
- 90s Anteprima Black Wool and Lambskin Leather Short Sleeves DressBy AnteprimaLocated in Sheung Wan, HK- Vintage 90s Anteprima black wool and lambskin leather short sleeves dress. - Side zip closure. - Size M. - Shoulder: 16 inches. Bust: 30 inches. Height: 36 inches. - 100% W...Category
1990s North Korean Day Dresses
- Gianni Versace Iconic Black Leather Back Cut Out DressBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Sheung Wan, HK- Vintage 90s Gianni Versace iconic black leather back cut out dress. Featuring a V- shape straps at the back and round neck in front. side zipper clos...Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses
- Versace Jeans Couture Green Wool Sleeveless Turtle Neck DressBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Sheung Wan, HK- Vintage 90s Versace Jeans Couture green wool sleeveless turtle neck dress. This simple and classic dark green dress is subtle for day time or an ev...Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses
- 90s Alaia Black and Navy Stripe Wool Open Knit Fringe Hem Bodycon DressBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Sheung Wan, HK- Vintage 90s Alaia black and navy stripe wool open knit fringe hem dress. Featuring an invisible back zip closure, signature body con stretch fabric fit. ...Category
1990s French Day Dresses
- 1970S Purple & Blue Striped Poly Blend Satin Long Sleeve Day To Night DressLocated in New York, NY1970S Purple & Blue Striped Poly Blend Satin Long Sleeve Day To Night DressCategory
1970s Casual Dresses
- 1970S SAKS 5TH AVENUE Navy Silk Chiffon Ruffled GownLocated in New York, NY1970S SAKS 5TH AVENUE Navy Silk Chiffon Ruffled GownCategory
1970s Formal Gowns
- DOLCE & GABBANA black & white ROSE PRINT & LACE Dress 42By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Zürich, CHDolce & Gabbana shift dress in black and white viscose (82%) cotton (16%) nylon (2%) with a rose print and lace part at the bottom, stand-up collar, puffed shoulders, long sleeves wi...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Casual Dresses
- VALENTINO black silk BEDED Short Sleeve Dress 40By ValentinoLocated in Zürich, CHValentino embroidered short-sleeve dress in black/multi polyamide (100%) and silk (100%) with a round neck. Has a bead and lace pleated bottom. Closes on the back with a concealed zi...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Casual Dresses
- 1990's Dolce & Gabbana Black Nylon Slip DressBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Austin, TX1990's Dolce & Gabbana Black Nylon Slip Dress Excellent condition Nylon fabric Made in Italy Size S/M Bust: 28"-38", Waist: 25"-36", Hips: 41"-54", Length: 44.5"Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses
- 1930S Black Silk Faille & Lace Collared Dress With Sleeves Deco Glass ButtonsLocated in New York, NY1930S Black Silk Faille & Lace Collared Dress With Sleeves Deco Glass ButtonsCategory
1930s Casual Dresses
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.