1980s Gold Chain Chanel Chain Coco Medallion Belt
View Similar Items
1980s Gold Chain Chanel Chain Coco Medallion Belt
About the Item
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, 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 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. Chanel's collarless jacket reacted against the constricting styles of Christian Dior's New Look, replacing them with a design that was timeless, an instant classic. 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 bags, evening dresses, shoes, jewelry and other clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
- 1960s Paco Rabanne Futuristic Metal Disc Chain BeltBy Paco RabanneLocated in London, GBThis fabulous late 1960s metal chain belt is unlabelled; however, we can confirm with confidence that it is by iconic Spanish designer Paco Rabanne who was extolled during this era a...Category
1960s French Belts
- 1989 Yves Saint Laurent Gripoix Sash BeltBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in London, GBThis documented Yves Saint Laurent sash belt is from the spring / summer 1989-90 collection, and was featured on that season's runway held during Paris Fashi...Category
1980s French Belts
- 1970s Ungaro Accordion Pleat Red Ribbon BeltBy Emanuel UngaroLocated in London, GBThis 1970s elaborate ribbon belt by Emmanuel Ungaro is the perfect accessory for any bohemian outfit. The main section of the belt is made up of finely pleated red ribbon, with a str...Category
1970s French Belts
- 1920s French Filigree Buckle and Black Fabric BeltLocated in London, GB1920s - 1930s but conceivably much earlier, black fabric and gold filigree style belt. Featuring a black crepe waistband which has been set atop a stronger woven fabric and machine stitched in close-set horizontal bands. The brass belt buckle is stamped "Paris" on the hook fastening and "LW Paris...Category
1920s French Belts
- 1960s Tilly Gerland Gold Jacket with Frog FasteningsLocated in London, GBThis 1960s jacket is in beautiful vintage condition with no visible flaws. The label reads Tilly Gerland and this is almost certainly a bespoke made piece from a very competent, high-end dress maker. Without a doubt, the star of the show is the design of the embroidered applique art nouveau...Category
1960s German Cropped Jackets
- 1960s Jean Allen Gold and Cream Lurex Maxi DressBy Jean AllenLocated in London, GBThis 1960s cream and gold lurex maxi dress by Jean Allen could easily be dressed up for a formal event or worn more informally as resort wear. It is sleevel...Category
1960s British Evening Dresses
- 1980s Escada Pony Animal Print Belt with Gold Leopard Charm BuckleBy EscadaLocated in London, GBSuperb 1980's Escada belt in tiger stripe pony skin, lined with neutral leather and finished with a gold and enamel leopard charm buckle, gold-tone metalware, Made in Italy This stu...Category
1980s German Belts
$285 Sale Price25% Off - Chanel Gold Coco CC Logo Oval Twist Chain Rope Belt (35 Inch)By ChanelLocated in Montreal, QuebecColor: Gold Material: Metal Marks: Logo and Made in France engraved Clasp Style: Hook Year: Circa 1990s Measures: H 35 Pendant drop: 1” Condition: Very good. Faint hairline scratche...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Belts
- Louis Vuitton 90/36 Ivory x Gold LV Cut Out Initials Belt 71lk328sBy Louis VuittonLocated in Dix hills, NYLouis Vuitton 90/36 Ivory x Gold LV Cut Out Initials Belt 71lk328s Date Code/Serial Number: CT0171 Made In: France Measurements: Length: 42.5" Width:...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Belts
- CHANEL Chain Belt Double Gold Double Drop Door CC Logo Link Charms Sz 85 BNWTBy ChanelLocated in Hollywood, FLGUARANTEED AUTHENTIC CHANEL 2023 CHAIN BELT WITH HANGING CHARMS Details: - Gold-tone metal chain link style waist belt from the 2023 collection. - Chain drop. - Hanging CC and first...Category
2010s Belts
- Chanel Runway Gold Chain and Gripoix Beaded Vintage Belt NecklaceBy ChanelLocated in Palm Beach, FLThis authentic Chanel Runway Gold Chain and Gripoix Beaded Belt is in mint vintage condition. Couture, one of one, extremely collectible. Multi colored Gripoix beads dangle from a ...Category
20th Century Belts
- Gold metal chain belt mix with pearls cabochons GennyBy GennyLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRGold metal chain belt mix with pearls cabochons. Lenght = 80 cmCategory
Late 20th Century Italian Belts
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.