Chanel Vintage J
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.
1990s Miscellaneous
1890s Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Structured Shoulder Bags
20th Century Brooches
1970s Belts
Vintage 1980s Clip-on Earrings
Vintage 1980s Clip-on Earrings
Pearl
Early 2000s Clip-on Earrings
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1980s Clip-on Earrings
Early 2000s Cuff Bracelets
Gilt Metal
1990s Cuff Bracelets
Gilt Metal
21st Century and Contemporary Neckties
1990s Sunglasses
2010s Blazers
21st Century and Contemporary Clutches
21st Century and Contemporary Scarves
1970s Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Day Dresses
20th Century Brooches
20th Century Belts
1990s Belts
Vintage 1980s Clip-on Earrings
Gilt Metal
1990s Brooches
Gilt Metal
1990s Clip-on Earrings
1980s Backpacks
Vintage 1980s Clip-on Earrings
1990s More Necklaces
Gilt Metal
1990s Clip-on Earrings
Emerald
1980s Cosmetic Bags
Vintage 1980s Clip-on Earrings
Gilt Metal
1970s Top Handle Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Shoulder Bags
1990s Stud Earrings
Base Metal
Vintage 1980s Clip-on Earrings
Gilt Metal
Vintage 1980s Clip-on Earrings
1990s Clip-on Earrings
1990s Brooches
Base Metal
Vintage 1980s Clip-on Earrings
Gilt Metal
1990s Cuff Bracelets
Vintage 1970s Drop Necklaces
20th Century Bangles
20th Century Chain Necklaces
1990s Sunglasses
Early 2000s Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
1990s Backpacks
Early 2000s Clutches
Early 2000s Clutches
1990s Top Handle Bags
Early 2000s Wallets
Vintage 1970s Beaded Bracelets
21st Century and Contemporary Shoulder Bags
Vintage 1980s Clip-on Earrings
Natural Pearl, Gilt Metal
Vintage 1970s Brooches
21st Century and Contemporary Clip-on Earrings
1990s Tote Bags
Early 2000s Tote Bags
Vintage 1980s Cuff Bracelets
Vintage 1980s Chain Bracelets
21st Century and Contemporary Hobo Bags
Late 20th Century Pouches and Wristlets
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