Chanel Cc
The first Chanel shop was opened 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, her 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. Over the next six decades, Coco Chanel would become 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.
However, 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, she 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 collarless jacket and 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 introduced in 1955 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.
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 evening dresses, jackets and more at 1stDibs.
2010s Brooches
Base Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Gloves
21st Century and Contemporary Gloves
1990s Clip-on Earrings
Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Brooches
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Brooches
1990s Sandals
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Brooches
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Brooches
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Stud Earrings
21st Century and Contemporary Scarves
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Stud Earrings
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
21st Century and Contemporary Scarves
2010s Brooches
Enamel, Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Rings
1990s Sunglasses
2010s Chain Bracelets
Pearl, Gilt Metal
Early 2000s Modern Cuff Bracelets
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Dangle Earrings
21st Century and Contemporary Drop Earrings
Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Clutches
21st Century and Contemporary Clutches
2010s Brooches
Gilt Metal
20th Century Decorative Objects
2010s Evening Bags and Minaudières
1990s Pendant Necklaces
Gold Plate
Early 2000s Chain Necklaces
Early 2000s Duffel Bags and Carry-On Bags
1990s Clip-on Earrings
20th Century Cuff Bracelets
20th Century Chain Bracelets
20th Century Cuff Bracelets
1990s Drop Necklaces
Gold Plate
20th Century Cuff Bracelets
21st Century and Contemporary Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary More Rings
Early 2000s Pendant Necklaces
21st Century and Contemporary Pouches and Wristlets
20th Century Beaded Necklaces
Gold Plate
2010s Drop Earrings
Base Metal
Late 20th Century Brooches
1980s Scarves
Vintage 1980s Chain Bracelets
Vintage 1980s Modern Clip-on Earrings
2010s Tote Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Pencil Skirts
1990s Cosmetic Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Cuff Bracelets
2010s Belts
20th Century Choker Necklaces
2010s Brooches
Base Metal
2010s Stud Earrings
Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Hobo Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Tote Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Structured Shoulder Bags
2010s Chain Necklaces
20th Century Skirts
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