Skip to main content

Chanel Runway Piece

Runway Chanel Spring 2006 Ivory Crinkled Silk & Bouclé Jacket by Karl Lagerfeld
Runway Chanel Spring 2006 Ivory Crinkled Silk & Bouclé Jacket by Karl Lagerfeld

Runway Chanel Spring 2006 Ivory Crinkled Silk & Bouclé Jacket by Karl Lagerfeld

By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Chanel

Located in PARIS, FR

An exceptional archival Chanel runway piece, ideal for collectors, museums, and connoisseurs of Karl Lagerfeld's most innovative designs.

Category

Early 2000s French Jackets

Chanel REV Runway White CC Tights Sheer Hosiery S
Chanel REV Runway White CC Tights Sheer Hosiery S

Chanel REV Runway White CC Tights Sheer Hosiery S

By Chanel

Located in Miami, FL

Mightychic offers a pair of rare Chanel REV runway white CC tights / stockings. A limited edition Chanel runway piece, these tights sold out quickly worldwide and are increasingly d...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary European Lingerie

Chanel Cruise 2018 Greek Odyssey Runway Knit Dress FR 36
Chanel Cruise 2018 Greek Odyssey Runway Knit Dress FR 36

Chanel Cruise 2018 Greek Odyssey Runway Knit Dress FR 36

By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel

Located in Woodland Hills, CA

Chanel Cruise 2018 Greek Odyssey Runway Knit Dress FR 36 Description: This rare Chanel Cruise 2018 dress is a standout piece from Karl Lagerfeld’s legendary Greek Odyssey collection.

Category

2010s Italian Day Dresses

Chanel Paris Venise 2010 Resort Tweed Jacket Sz.38/40
Chanel Paris Venise 2010 Resort Tweed Jacket Sz.38/40

Chanel Paris Venise 2010 Resort Tweed Jacket Sz.38/40

By Chanel

Located in Krakow, PL

Chanel Tweed Jacket – Paris Venise Resort 2010 Collection Size: Tag 44 (Runs like FR38-40 / US 6-8) Condition: Very good condition, with light yellowing on the silk lining in the arm...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Blazers

CHANEL 9K$ GLOBALIZATION Collection Black Tweed Jacket Dress 36 FR
CHANEL 9K$ GLOBALIZATION Collection Black Tweed Jacket Dress 36 FR

CHANEL 9K$ GLOBALIZATION Collection Black Tweed Jacket Dress 36 FR

By Chanel

Located in Hong Kong, HK

– From the Runway of Fall 2013 “GLOBALIZATION” Collection by Karl Lagerfeld ~ // Boutique value over 9,000$ – This collector’s black shimmer Lesage tweed jacket dress is suspended b...

Category

2010s Jackets

CHANEL New Iconic Globalization Black Tweed Jacket Dress 40 FR
CHANEL New Iconic Globalization Black Tweed Jacket Dress 40 FR

CHANEL New Iconic Globalization Black Tweed Jacket Dress 40 FR

By Chanel

Located in Hong Kong, HK

~ From the Runway of Fall 2013 “GLOBALIZATION” Collection by Karl Lagerfeld ~ // Boutique value over 9,000$ ~ This collector’s black shimmer Lesage tweed jacket dress is suspended b...

Category

2010s Jackets

Chanel Spring 2020 Rooftop Collection White Bouclé Tweed Dress FR 36
Chanel Spring 2020 Rooftop Collection White Bouclé Tweed Dress FR 36

Chanel Spring 2020 Rooftop Collection White Bouclé Tweed Dress FR 36

By Chanel

Located in Woodland Hills, CA

An elegant and increasingly collectible contemporary Chanel runway piece from Virginie Viard’s early tenure at the maison.

Category

2010s French Summer Dresses

Chanel Rare White Leather Guitar Case with Silver Hardware RARE Runway Piece
Chanel Rare White Leather Guitar Case with Silver Hardware RARE Runway Piece

Chanel Rare White Leather Guitar Case with Silver Hardware RARE Runway Piece

By Chanel

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Please see photos for details. This is a very rare runway piece from the height of Y2K era Chanel. Truly a unique one-of-a-kind find for Chanel lovers and designer fashion collectors.

Category

Early 2000s Novelty Bags

Chanel 05A Fall 2005 Runway 2 Piece dress 40 Mint
Chanel 05A Fall 2005 Runway 2 Piece dress 40 Mint

Chanel 05A Fall 2005 Runway 2 Piece dress 40 Mint

By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel

Located in Merced, CA

Chanel 2-piece dress set from Chanel Fall 2005 runway collection.

Category

Early 2000s Twin Sets

Chanel Cruise 2020 Runway Ivory Tweed Jacket Look 74 Size 36
Chanel Cruise 2020 Runway Ivory Tweed Jacket Look 74 Size 36

Chanel Cruise 2020 Runway Ivory Tweed Jacket Look 74 Size 36

By Chanel

Located in Woodland Hills, CA

The jacket features silk plaid lining, structured shoulders, decorative trim, and signature buttons, making it a highly collectible runway-documented Chanel piece suitable for both d...

Category

2010s French Jackets

Chanel Cruise 2021 Runway Black Bouclé Tweed Jacket, Look 13 Colorway Variation
Chanel Cruise 2021 Runway Black Bouclé Tweed Jacket, Look 13 Colorway Variation

Chanel Cruise 2021 Runway Black Bouclé Tweed Jacket, Look 13 Colorway Variation

By Chanel

Located in Woodland Hills, CA

Measurements (Approximate): Shoulder: 15.25 inches Bust: 17 inches flat Waist: 15.5 inches Sleeve Length: 23.5 inches Total Length: 21 inches Size: FR 34 Fabrication: 51% Acrylic 3...

Category

2010s French Jackets

Chanel Resort 2016 Multicolor Fantasy Tweed Jacket Inspired by Runway Look 18
Chanel Resort 2016 Multicolor Fantasy Tweed Jacket Inspired by Runway Look 18

Chanel Resort 2016 Multicolor Fantasy Tweed Jacket Inspired by Runway Look 18

By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Chanel

Located in Woodland Hills, CA

A standout collector’s Chanel runway colorway piece with strong resale desirability and timeless wardrobe relevance.

Category

2010s French Jackets

Chanel Fall/Winter 2007 Runway Beige Jersey Dress with Sculpted Trompe-l'Œil
Chanel Fall/Winter 2007 Runway Beige Jersey Dress with Sculpted Trompe-l'Œil

Chanel Fall/Winter 2007 Runway Beige Jersey Dress with Sculpted Trompe-l'Œil

By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel

Located in PARIS, FR

An increasingly collectible runway piece from one of Chanel's most desirable late-2000s collections, ideal for collectors and connoisseurs of vintage Chanel.

Category

Early 2000s French Aesthetic Day Dresses

Chanel Limited Edition Rocket Bag
Chanel Limited Edition Rocket Bag

Chanel Limited Edition Rocket Bag

By Chanel

Located in London, GB

- Limited Edition - Chanel FW 2017 Runway piece - Black lucite and crystal rocket ship - Silver hardware - Tonal lucite lined interior - Shoulder Strap Drop Max: 24cm - Condition: Ex...

Category

2010s European Evening Bags and Minaudières

Chanel 1993 Spring Tweed Blazer
Chanel 1993 Spring Tweed Blazer

Chanel 1993 Spring Tweed Blazer

By Chanel

Located in Miami, FL

An extraordinary Chanel Spring 1993 runway piece designed under Karl Lagerfeld, this blazer embodies the refined yet playful spirit of early-’90s Chanel.

Category

1990s French Blazers

Chanel Short Sleeve Ivory Jacket With Silk Lining - '00s
Chanel Short Sleeve Ivory Jacket With Silk Lining - '00s

Chanel Short Sleeve Ivory Jacket With Silk Lining - '00s

By Chanel

Located in Milano, Lombardia

An elegant runway piece from Chanel's coveted Spring/Summer 2007 Collection, this tweed and sequins jacket embodies the refined glamour and effortless sophistication that defined Kar...

Category

Early 2000s Jackets

CHANEL black cashmere 23S EMBELLISHED Sweater XS
CHANEL black cashmere 23S EMBELLISHED Sweater XS

CHANEL black cashmere 23S EMBELLISHED Sweater XS

By Chanel

Located in Zürich, CH

This 100% authentic Chanel sweater is a standout runway piece, exquisitely crafted in black cashmere (content and size tag missing).

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Cardigans

CHANEL blush pink 18S FRINGE TOP Shirt 40 M
CHANEL blush pink 18S FRINGE TOP Shirt 40 M

CHANEL blush pink 18S FRINGE TOP Shirt 40 M

By Chanel

Located in Zürich, CH

Designed as a slip-on style, it is fully lined in silk (100%) for a smooth, elegant finish. A feminine runway piece showcasing Chanel’s intricate craftsmanship and modern romantic te...

Category

2010s Blouses

CHANEL cream cotton 21S SEQUIN FLORAL CROCHET KNIT Dress 34 XS
CHANEL cream cotton 21S SEQUIN FLORAL CROCHET KNIT Dress 34 XS

CHANEL cream cotton 21S SEQUIN FLORAL CROCHET KNIT Dress 34 XS

By Chanel

Located in Zürich, CH

A rare and collectible piece from Chanel’s runway archives, embodying the house’s mastery of artisanal lacework with a glamorous, evening-ready finish.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Casual Dresses

Chanel Spring/Summer 2015 Pink & White Striped Bouclé Dress FR 34
Chanel Spring/Summer 2015 Pink & White Striped Bouclé Dress FR 34

Chanel Spring/Summer 2015 Pink & White Striped Bouclé Dress FR 34

By Chanel

Located in Woodland Hills, CA

• Collection: SS 2015 (Style Code: P70615V61775) • Made in France • Fabric: 46% Cotton, 24% Silk, 16% Polyester, 13% Polyamide, 1% Elastane; Lining: 100% Silk • Size: FR 34 (US ...

Category

2010s French Day Dresses

Chanel Rare Fall/Winter 2014 Karl Lagerfeld Shopping Center Tote Bag Collectable
Chanel Rare Fall/Winter 2014 Karl Lagerfeld Shopping Center Tote Bag Collectable

Chanel Rare Fall/Winter 2014 Karl Lagerfeld Shopping Center Tote Bag Collectable

By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel

Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL

Features: “CHANEL SHOPPING CENTER” graphic. Provenance: Authentic VIP gift, not retailed in stores Condition: Excellent: never used, never unfolded, still in package Dimensions: W...

Category

2010s French Tote Bags

Chanel Vintage Runway Piece Sunglasses Made In Italy, F / W 1994
Chanel Vintage Runway Piece Sunglasses Made In Italy, F / W 1994

Chanel Vintage Runway Piece Sunglasses Made In Italy, F / W 1994

By Chanel

Located in Baleares, Baleares

New Rare Vintage Chanel Runway Fall / Winter 1994 sunglasses. A seldom and unique piece in this new, never displayed or worn condition.

Category

1990s French Sunglasses

Recent Sales

Rare Chanel Cruise 2015 Gold Night Gas Tank Jerry Can Accessory Bag
Rare Chanel Cruise 2015 Gold Night Gas Tank Jerry Can Accessory Bag

Rare Chanel Cruise 2015 Gold Night Gas Tank Jerry Can Accessory Bag

By Chanel

Located in Jakarta, Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta

Rare Chanel runway piece from Dubai Cruise 2015 in Gold leather.

Category

2010s Shoulder Bags

Chanel's 2012 Little Black Jacket/ Runway Piece
Chanel's 2012 Little Black Jacket/ Runway Piece

Chanel's 2012 Little Black Jacket/ Runway Piece

By Chanel

Located in Malibu, CA

Chanel's Black Double Jacket from The 2012 Fall Runway Show.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Jackets

Chanel 2020 Collection Logo Tweed dress
Chanel 2020 Collection Logo Tweed dress

Chanel 2020 Collection Logo Tweed dress

By Chanel

Located in PARIS, FR

Iconic Chanel runway piece from the Spring/Summer 2020 collection.

Category

2010s French Casual Dresses

Chanel Futuristic Black Shimmer Tweed Jacket Dress 36 FR
Chanel Futuristic Black Shimmer Tweed Jacket Dress 36 FR

Chanel Futuristic Black Shimmer Tweed Jacket Dress 36 FR

By Chanel

Located in Hong Kong, HK

~ From the Fall 2013 “Globalization” Collection by Karl Lagerfeld ~ ~ A creation suspended between time zones and inner orbits—this rare Chanel runway piece captures the geometry of...

Category

2010s Jackets

Chanel Vintage Runway Piece Sunglasses Made In Italy, F / W 1994
Chanel Vintage Runway Piece Sunglasses Made In Italy, F / W 1994

Chanel Vintage Runway Piece Sunglasses Made In Italy, F / W 1994

By Chanel

Located in Baleares, Baleares

New Rare Vintage Chanel Runway Fall / Winter 1994 sunglasses. A seldom and unique piece in this new, never displayed or worn condition.

Category

1990s French Sunglasses

Chanel Vintage Runway Piece Sunglasses Made In Italy, F / W 1994
Chanel Vintage Runway Piece Sunglasses Made In Italy, F / W 1994

Chanel Vintage Runway Piece Sunglasses Made In Italy, F / W 1994

By Chanel

Located in Baleares, Baleares

New Rare Vintage Chanel Runway Fall / Winter 1994 sunglasses. A seldom and unique piece in this new, never displayed or worn condition.

Category

1990s French Sunglasses

Chanel Vintage Runway Piece Sunglasses Made In Italy, F / W 1994
Chanel Vintage Runway Piece Sunglasses Made In Italy, F / W 1994

Chanel Vintage Runway Piece Sunglasses Made In Italy, F / W 1994

By Chanel

Located in Baleares, Baleares

New Rare Vintage Chanel Runway Fall / Winter 1994 sunglasses. A seldom and unique piece in this new, never displayed or worn condition.

Category

1990s French Sunglasses

Chanel 2017 Runway Piece Lame Fabric Chevron Space Suit Belt Crossbody Bag
Chanel 2017 Runway Piece Lame Fabric Chevron Space Suit Belt Crossbody Bag

Chanel 2017 Runway Piece Lame Fabric Chevron Space Suit Belt Crossbody Bag

By Chanel

Located in Geneva, CH

This pre-owned but New oversized waist belt / crossbody bag from Chanel is a runway piece, part of the Fall Winter Collection 2017.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags

Chanel S/S 2006 Runway Denim Open Back Halter Top and Short Pants 2 Piece Set
Chanel S/S 2006 Runway Denim Open Back Halter Top and Short Pants 2 Piece Set

Chanel S/S 2006 Runway Denim Open Back Halter Top and Short Pants 2 Piece Set

By Chanel

Located in Englishtown, NJ

Chanel S/S 2006 Runway Denim Open Back Halter Top and Short Pants 2 Piece Set Medium wash blue Chanel denim mid rise knee length shorts with metallic trim throughout, five pockets ...

Category

Early 2000s Suits, Outfits and Ensembles

Chanel S/S 1997 Runway CC Logo Print Pop Art Tailored Jacket Cover-Up
Chanel S/S 1997 Runway CC Logo Print Pop Art Tailored Jacket Cover-Up

Chanel S/S 1997 Runway CC Logo Print Pop Art Tailored Jacket Cover-Up

By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Chanel

Located in BELLEVUE HILL, NSW

Designed by Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel’s S/S 1997 runway, this piece sits squarely in Lagerfeld’s late 90's pop graphic era, when the house was leaning into bold colour, irreverence, ...

Category

1990s French Jackets

Chanel Limited Edition Rocket Bag
Chanel Limited Edition Rocket Bag

Chanel Limited Edition Rocket Bag

Sold

H 5.52 in D 4.34 in L 4.34 in

Chanel Limited Edition Rocket Bag

By Chanel

Located in London, GB

- Limited Edition - Chanel FW 2017 Runway piece - Black lucite and crystal rocket ship - Silver hardware - Tonal lucite lined interior - Shoulder Strap Drop Max: 24cm - Condition: Ex...

Category

2010s European Evening Bags and Minaudières

Chanel Limited Edition Rocket Bag
Chanel Limited Edition Rocket Bag

Chanel Limited Edition Rocket Bag

Sold

H 5.52 in D 4.34 in L 4.34 in

Chanel Limited Edition Rocket Bag

By Chanel

Located in London, GB

- Limited Edition - Chanel FW 2017 Runway piece - Black lucite and crystal rocket ship - Silver hardware - Tonal lucite lined interior - Shoulder Strap Drop Max: 24cm - Condition: Ex...

Category

2010s European Evening Bags and Minaudières

Chanel Black Grey Pink Jacket Blazer
Chanel Black Grey Pink Jacket Blazer

Chanel Black Grey Pink Jacket Blazer

By Chanel

Located in Krakow, PL

THIS Gorgeous SUIT JACKET needs no introduction at all! It was 11P Chanel Couture Runway piece and was sold out via waiting list before hitting the stores!!!

Category

2010s Blazers

Chanel Limited Edition Silver Black Plexiglass Clutch Bag
Chanel Limited Edition Silver Black Plexiglass Clutch Bag

Chanel Limited Edition Silver Black Plexiglass Clutch Bag

By Chanel

Located in Krakow, PL

Crafted from plexiglass with elegant silver hardware, this bag exudes sophistication and style. This Chanel Cruise Runway Collection piece from 2015 comes complete with its original...

Category

2010s Clutches

Chanel 12K$ Work Of Art Couture Black Jacket
Chanel 12K$ Work Of Art Couture Black Jacket

Chanel 12K$ Work Of Art Couture Black Jacket

By Chanel

Located in Hong Kong, HK

A gem for true connoisseurs! A work of art Chanel jacket -- couture piece from Runway of Paris / SALZBURG Collection, 2015 Metiers d'Art by Karl Lagerfeld!

Category

2010s Jackets

Chanel Paris / Shanghai Lesage Tweed Jacket 38 FR
Chanel Paris / Shanghai Lesage Tweed Jacket 38 FR

Chanel Paris / Shanghai Lesage Tweed Jacket 38 FR

By Chanel

Located in Hong Kong, HK

CHANEL · Collectible Lesage Tweed Jacket — Runway Piece from Paris / SHANGHAI Métiers d’Art 2010 Collection by Karl Lagerfeld // Boutique Value: Over $10,000 // A museum-grade coll...

Category

2010s Jackets

Chanel  2019 White Shirt Runway Piece  NEW 40FR
Chanel  2019 White Shirt Runway Piece  NEW 40FR

Chanel 2019 White Shirt Runway Piece NEW 40FR

By Chanel

Located in New York, NY

Chanel Shirt Spring Summer 2019 White Shirt Runway Piece Sold out and most sought piece from KL last runway.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Crop Tops

Chanel  2019 White Shirt Runway Piece  NEW 36FR
Chanel  2019 White Shirt Runway Piece  NEW 36FR

Chanel 2019 White Shirt Runway Piece NEW 36FR

By Chanel

Located in New York, NY

Chanel Shirt Spring Summer 2019 White Shirt Runway Piece Sold out and most sought piece from KL last runway.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Crop Tops

Chanel 2012 Runway Silver & Gold Sequin Sari Inspired Two Piece Dress
Chanel 2012 Runway Silver & Gold Sequin Sari Inspired Two Piece Dress

Chanel 2012 Runway Silver & Gold Sequin Sari Inspired Two Piece Dress

By Chanel

Located in San Francisco, CA

Chanel gold and silver sequin two piece cocktail dress from the Chanel Paris-Bombay Metiers d'Art collection.

Category

2010s French Cocktail Dresses

Chanel Pink Leather Jacket Spring Summer 1999 Rare Vintage Runway Piece
Chanel Pink Leather Jacket Spring Summer 1999 Rare Vintage Runway Piece

Chanel Pink Leather Jacket Spring Summer 1999 Rare Vintage Runway Piece

By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld

Located in San Diego, CA

Rare CHANEL 1990s/90s leather jacket from the runway Spring Summer 1999 season. Beautiful medium pink color that matches pretty much anything! Slimming raised seams on the front and ...

Category

1990s French Cropped Jackets

Chanel SS 1996 Vintage Runway Embellished Silk Blazer and Pant Suit 2 Piece Set
Chanel SS 1996 Vintage Runway Embellished Silk Blazer and Pant Suit 2 Piece Set

Chanel SS 1996 Vintage Runway Embellished Silk Blazer and Pant Suit 2 Piece Set

By Chanel

Located in Englishtown, NJ

Chanel embellished silk pantsuit. Collarless jacket features bead and sequin embellishment trim throughout, scoop neckline, structured shoulders, short sleeves, four welt pockets at ...

Category

1990s Suits, Outfits and Ensembles

Chanel SS 2000 SATC Vintage Carrie Top RUNWAY Piece Sex and The City S3 E15
Chanel SS 2000 SATC Vintage Carrie Top RUNWAY Piece Sex and The City S3 E15

Chanel SS 2000 SATC Vintage Carrie Top RUNWAY Piece Sex and The City S3 E15

By Chanel

Located in Melbourne, VIC

Chanel’s Spring/Summer 2000 collection was a playful take on femininity, and this vintage top—famously worn in Sex and the City—perfectly captures the era’s bold yet effortless glamo...

Category

Early 2000s Blouses

Chanel Gold Sequin Paillette Quilted Folded Clutch-RUNWAY
Chanel Gold Sequin Paillette Quilted Folded Clutch-RUNWAY

Chanel Gold Sequin Paillette Quilted Folded Clutch-RUNWAY

By Chanel

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This is a runway piece, straight from the fashion show in Europe.

Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Evening Bags and Minaudières

Chanel Tennis bag Barbie Pink and White  Racket Mirror Handbag Bag Runway
Chanel Tennis bag Barbie Pink and White  Racket Mirror Handbag Bag Runway

Chanel Tennis bag Barbie Pink and White Racket Mirror Handbag Bag Runway

By Chanel

Located in London, England

Chanel Tennis bag Barbie Pink and White Racket Mirror Handbag Bag 23c Runway: A very rare runway collectors piece Chanel pink canvas fabric with gold tone metal.

Category

2010s Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags

Chanel Transparant Tot Bag Runway Shopping Center 2014 Collectable
Chanel Transparant Tot Bag Runway Shopping Center 2014 Collectable

Chanel Transparant Tot Bag Runway Shopping Center 2014 Collectable

By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel

Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL

Features: “CHANEL SHOPPING CENTER” graphic. Provenance: Authentic VIP gift, not retailed in stores Condition: Excellent: never used, never unfolded, still in package Dimensions: W...

Category

2010s French Tote Bags

Chanel Transparant Tot Bag Runway Shopping Center 2014 Collectable
Chanel Transparant Tot Bag Runway Shopping Center 2014 Collectable

Chanel Transparant Tot Bag Runway Shopping Center 2014 Collectable

By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel

Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL

Dimensions: Width: 11.82 in (30 cm)Depth: 3.55 in (9 cm)Length: 14.97 in (38 cm) This is a rare opportunity to own an authentic piece of Chanel runway history – perfect for collecto...

Category

2010s French Tote Bags

Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Chanel Runway Piece", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.

Chanel Runway Piece For Sale on 1stDibs

Find the exact vintage or contemporary chanel runway piece you’re shopping for in the variety available on 1stDibs. Our collection includes a variety of colors, spanning Gray, Black, Blue and more. Making the right choice when shopping for a chanel runway piece may mean looking at versions that date from different eras — you can find early iterations from the 20th Century and a newer version made as recently as the 21st Century, both of which have proven very popular over the years. If you’re browsing our inventory for these accessories, you’ll find that many are available today for women, but there are still pieces to choose from for men and unisex.

How Much is a Chanel Runway Piece?

On average, a chanel runway piece on 1stDibs sells for $3,869, while they’re typically $1,800 on the low end and $27,850 for the highest priced versions of this item.

Chanel for sale on 1stDibs

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.