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.
Linen, Walnut and Brass Roll Arm Sofa by Chanel, United States, c. 1990
By Chanel
Located in New York City, NY
Linen, walnut, and brass roll arm sofa by Chanel. Made in the United States circa 1990.
Brass
Barbara Barry for Baker Furniture Roll Arm Sofa
By Baker Furniture Company, Barbara Barry
Located in Franklin Park, IL
Barbara Barry for Baker Furniture Roll Arm Sofa This sofa measures: 87.5 wide x 36 deep x 33.75 inches high, with a seat height of 19 and arm height of 23 inches We take our photos...
Upholstery
$6,890 / item
H 33 in W 84 in D 38 in
Custom Made White Linen English Arm Rolled Back Sofa with Casters
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
White linen English arm rolled back sofa with casters. Custom made to order, upholstered in a heavy weight Belgian linen, with down feath...
Linen
Smith Brothers Traditional Roll Arm Tufted Sofa
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
An elegant and exceptionally comfortable traditional Chesterfield style sofa In the manner of Baker Furniture By Smith Brothers of Berne USA, Circa Early 21st Century Gorgeous li...
Upholstery, Wood
$25,250
H 28.35 in W 94.49 in D 57.09 in
Serpentine Sofa by Vladimir Kagan for Directional, United States, 1980s
By Directional, Vladimir Kagan
Located in Antwerp, BE
A masterpiece of mid-century modern design, the Vladimir Kagan Serpentine Sofa embodies the fluid elegance that defines his work. Its sweeping, organic silhouette invites both comfor...
Velvet
Finn Juhl, Rare Sofa, Walnut, Fabric, United States, 1951
By Baker Furniture Company, Finn Juhl
Located in High Point, NC
A rare fabric and walnut sofa designed by Finn Juhl and produced by Baker, USA, 1950s. Fully restored, pre-restoration images available upon request. Overall Dimensions (inches): 4...
Fabric, Walnut
Rolled Arm Sofa with Curved Tight Back
Located in Ballard, CA
Elegant curved sofa comes with tight back over two loose poly/down seat cushions, with exposed wood frame and tapered legs. Custom sizes and finishes availa...
Polyester, Maple, Down
1980s Vintage Tufted Red Leather Rolled-Arm Chesterfield Sofa
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This spectacular vintage Chesterfield sofa embodies classic British elegance with a bold, modern edge. Upholstered in rich crimson red leather, it features deep diamond button-tuftin...
Leather, Wood
Vladimir Kagan Sofa, Ochre, United States
By Vladimir Kagan
Located in Barcelona, ES
Vladimir Kagan Sofa model “Directional” Manufactured by Vladimir Kagan Designs, Inc. United States Upholstery, walnut Measurements 244 cm x 147 cm x 75 cm 96 in x 58 in x 29.5 in ...
Upholstery, Walnut
$165,000
H 30 in W 221 in D 55 in
Georgis & Mirgorodsky, Libertine, Contemporary Sofa, United States, 2022
By Georgis & Mirgorodsky
Located in New York, NY
This monumental swoosh of a sofa includes two integral side tables and an ottoman. The ottoman can be flanked by two cocktail tables to create two seating groups. The fiberglass side tables can be removed for additional seating. Shown in shearling and Ultrasuede. Finish options: custom colors available for side tables. Note: Custom sizes are available. Georgis & Mirgorodsky has designed and completed numerous residential, institutional, and commercial projects in the United States, Mexico and the Caribbean. These include new houses in Southampton, New York, the Bahamas, Montana, La Jolla, California, many New York City townhouses, a pied-à-terre for a South American couple at the Carlyle Hotel in Manhattan, the Tiffany Gallery at the Museum of the City of New York, Casa Lever restaurant in Manhattan, the interiors of a Gulfstream G650 jet, and the renovation of the public spaces of the landmarked Lever House in New York City. In addition the firm has completed the design of Manhattan condominium projects at 350 West Broadway and 530 Park Avenue, and completed designs for the Gramercy Park Hotel...
Upholstery, Fiberglass
Vintage Baker Chartreuse Roll Arm Sofa
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Elevate your living space with the unmistakable quality and timeless silhouette of Baker Furniture. This vintage three-seat sofa is a masterclass in traditional American craftsmanshi...
Fabric, Linen, Upholstery, Wood
Vintage Leather Rolled-Arm Sofa in Green by Whittemore-Sherrill
Located in Dekalb, IL
c. 1990s-2000s; Whittemore-Sherrill Limited - Hickory, NC Classic rolled-arm leather sofa upholstered in rich emerald green leather with decorative brass nailhead trim and turned wo...
Brass
$12,680
H 44 in W 96 in D 36 in
"New, Classic Drop Arm Knole Sofa, Off White Linen, Carved Walnut Base"
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Made to Order Classic Drop Arm Knole Sofa Upholstered in Off White Linen with Soft Foam Core with 50/50 White Goose Down Cushion Fill, Carved Solid Walnut Base Finished in Dark Walnu...
Brass