CHANEL
View Similar Items
CHANEL
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, 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. 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. 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.
- Vintage Versace Black & White Medusa SuspendersBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Los Angeles, CAVintage Gianni Versace black and white suspenders with printed Medusa heads, silver tone Medusa head clips, and medallion at back. Circa 1990s. Excellent Condition. Size: ONE SIZECategory
1990s Italian Braces
- Yves Saint Laurent Wool & Fur Russian Hat 1976By Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Los Angeles, CAYves Saint Laurent wool & fur Russian hat 1976.Category
1970s French Hats
- Christian Dior By John Galliano Brown Leather & Logo Print "Rasta" Gloves 2004By Christian DiorLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a pair of vintage Christian Dior grown leather gloves with Diorissimo logo fabric, reggae-colored trim, and silver-tone hardware. Christian ...Category
Early 2000s French Gloves
- James Galanos Fancy Black Buckle HatBy GalanosLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection is pleased to offer a vintage Galanos black wool fancy hat with detailed stitching and a large buckle at the front. Galanos James Galanos One Size Wool Excellent Vinta...Category
1970s American Hats
- Junya Black Frayed Edge HatBy Junya WatanabeLocated in Los Angeles, CAVintage Junya Watanabe black wool hat featuring intentional frayed edges and adorned with a vintage hat pin at the center front. Please inquire for a...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Hats
- Tom Ford for Gucci Blue Snakeskin BeltBy Tom FordLocated in Los Angeles, CAVintage Tom Ford for Gucci blue snakeskin belt with silver metal colored hardware. Please inquire for additional images.Category
Late 20th Century Italian Belts
- Rare Vintage Chanel Runway PVC Wide Brimmed HatBy Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, ChanelLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLThe ultimate in accessories making luxury craftsmanship. The Iconic House of Chanel always provides us with timeless and classic pieces. This beautiful hat takes timeless creation to a new level of sophistication and charm. Made from the finest materials that you would expect from the Chanel House. This rare runway hat...Category
Early 2000s German Hats
- Ink Mist Handwoven Hand Knotted Soft Cotton Scarf In Neutral ColorBy Studio VariouslyLocated in Bloomfield Hills, MICustom design by Studio Variously, Ink Mist is a light weight scarf. It is beautifully handwoven and hand knotted in cotton by master artisans in Nepal. A ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Nepalese Scarves
- Graphite Handwoven Soft Merino Scarf In Black Navy HuesBy Studio VariouslyLocated in Bloomfield Hills, MICombining simplicity & elegance with artistic luxury, Graphite Scarf is completely handmade from start to finish making each piece unique. A timeless classic scarf that will comple...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Nepalese Scarves
- Moss Linen Classic Handwoven Artisanal ScarfBy Studio VariouslyLocated in Bloomfield Hills, MICustom design by Studio Variously, Moss is a light weight linen scarf. It is finely handwoven by master artisans in Nepal. A sustainable design brand based out of Michigan, Studio...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Nepalese Scarves
- Layaa Scarf in Indigo Gold Black Classic Shibori Print Handmade by ArtisansBy Studio VariouslyLocated in Bloomfield Hills, MIAn effortless classic style statement, this beautiful silk scarf, also a perfect mindful gift, is a pure statement piece that adds modern elegance and timeless quality as an accessor...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Scarves
- Alexander McQueen Black Velvet Embroidered Armadillo Curved Wedge Pumps Size 40By Alexander McQueenLocated in New York, NYAlexander McQueen Black Velvet Embroidered Armadillo Curved Wedge Pumps Size 40 Condition is new without original box.Category
2010s Italian Shoes
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.