Vintage CHANEL Light Decor
About the Item
- Designer:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:New York, NY
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU44914542872
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: New York, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Limited edition Chanel Factory 5 Bundle Water Bottle 4 Pieces NEWBy ChanelLocated in New York, NY100% guaranteed brand new never used Chanel Factory 5 set total off 4 pieces + booklet that came with this collection Please see pictures off whats i...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Decorative Objects
- Coco Mademoiselle Chanel Doll Designed By Karl Lagerfeld 2010By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, ChanelLocated in New York, NY100% Authentic guaranteed Chanel designed by Karl Lagerfeld. Each doll has slightly different face because they where all handmade. Chanel Mademoiselle doll was designed by Karl Lagerfeld For Chanel windows and given as gift to special clients. Not every window that season had this doll displayed...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Decorative Objects
- Chanel Blanket Throw Travel Rug NEW 74" X 55"By ChanelLocated in New York, NYChanel travel rug, throw or blanket New with Chanel dust-bag and tags Two different sides with large CC Approximate measure: 74' X 55" FINAL SALECategory
21st Century and Contemporary Pillows and Throws
- Chanel Black Tennis Racket With Leather X Chain CC Cover NEWBy ChanelLocated in New York, NYChanel black tennis racket with leather CC cover Cover has chains in the back to carry the racket ,it has 2 snap closure on the side to slide and hold racket in.Huge box, dust-bag ,...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Games
- JUNYA WATANABE COMME DES GARÇONS Linen Knee-Length DressBy Junya Watanabe Comme des GarçonsLocated in New York, NYJUNYA WATANABE COMME DES GARÇONS Linen Knee-Length Dress Bust: 46" Waist: 42" Hip: 38" Length: 37.5" Fabric: 100% Linen FINAL SALECategory
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Day Dresses
- Vintage Comme Des Garcons Black Leather Belt SZ 80 NEW WITH TAGSBy Comme des GarçonsLocated in New York, NYVintage black leather belt with embossed Comme des Garçons logo and triple buckle closure. Must have for every CDG collector. New with tags ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Belts
- Japanese Mount Fuji K24 Gold Silver Damascene Cigarette CaseLocated in London, GBExquisite Japanese damascene cigarette case with a Mount Fuji landscape, featuring 24K gold and silver decoration on a black background. Measuring ...Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Decorative Objects
- 1920s Bohemian Sterling Silver and Glass Decorative Jewelry BoxLocated in Beverly Hills, CA1920s Bohemian Sterling Silver and Glass Jewelry Box Product details: Black glass box with sterling silver overlay detail Hunting scene hand doneCategory
1920s Jewelry Boxes
- Hermes Cavales Lacquered Box Black Engraved Lid Wood Engraved Lid New w/ BoxBy HermèsLocated in Miami, FLGuaranteed authentic Hermes Cavales Box. Engraved hand-lacquered wood. Exquisite in Black. Beautiful container to keep your mementos in secret! New or P...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Decorative Objects
- Isabel Canovas Vintage Compact c.1988By Isabel CanovasLocated in Nice, FRISABEL CANOVAS vintage rare compact. Circa 1988. Gilt metal "basket weave" design embellished with an attached tassel. Complete including mirror, makeup powder and applicator. Pow...Category
20th Century French Decorative Objects
- Elegant Jay Strongwater Polychrome Enamel Candelabra with Pomegranate and FloraBy Jay StrongwaterLocated in Tustin, CABejeweled candelabra with a pomegranate, flower and leaf motif from the Jay Strongwater "Jewels for the Home" Collection has exquisite subtle coloration and holds three candles. Hand...Category
2010s American Decorative Objects
- Hermès Petit H Tambourine Rattle Toy Silk Leather Wood in BoxBy HermèsLocated in FRAuthentic Hermès Tambourine Cutest rattle ever ! Made of Silk, Leather and Wood Colorways: Multicolored Made for the 2016 Hong Kong Mid Autumn Festival "HERMES PARIS" engraved on the silver-tone round at the end of the handle and on te buttons We find all the Hermes details and finishes guaranteeing a chic, quality and absolutely gorgeous item ! More a collectible and decorative item than a real baby toy...Category
2010s French Decorative Objects
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.