Chanel Pastel Tweed D'Orsay Pumps with Grosgrain Ribbon Bows
View Similar Items
Chanel Pastel Tweed D'Orsay Pumps with Grosgrain Ribbon Bows
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.
- Chanel 36 Fr Flat Slip-ons Sequins EmbroidedBy ChanelLocated in Paris, FRLovely pair of Chanel slippers, covered with sequins and adorned with the iconic CC symbol. Gently worn, in good condition. Size 35.5 French, made in Italy.Category
21st Century and Contemporary Shoes
- Unworn Walter Steiger Vintage Silver Metallic Shoes W 3 Inch Heels Size 7By Walter SteigerLocated in Portland, ORThis is such a fun pair of Walter Steiger shoes in a fabulous metallic silver. Perfect for the holidays, these silver gently pointed toe heels have leather soles and uppers. These shoes have never been worn and other than a few very minor slight surface scratches on the heel from storage, they are in excellent condition! We think these would also make beautiful wedding shoes...Category
1980s Italian Heels
- Alaia Shoes Snakeskin Pointed Toe Pumps w Black Trim w Original Box & Dust BagsBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Portland, ORThese Alaïa snakeskin pumps are in a beautiful cream color with brown suede leather heels and trim. The style number for these shoes is: AAP434-6PT Tejus 80mm Pump. These shoes come ...Category
Early 2000s French Shoes
- Dolce & Gabbana Pink White & Floral Slingback Pointed Toe Shoes w/ Box & DustbagBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Portland, ORThese fabulous Dolce & Gabbana slingback heels are in a beautiful floral print with a branded gold tone engraved heel detail. The slingback has an elastic back for easy entry and th...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoes
- Prada Calzature Donna Roccia Snakeskin Wavy Ankle Strap Heeled SandalsBy PradaLocated in Portland, ORThese are great Prada snakeskin ankle strap heeled sandals with scalloped straps and zippers on the heels. These strappy sandals are marked a European ...Category
2010s Italian Heels
- Gucci Slingback Beige Tan Heels With Gold BandsBy GucciLocated in Portland, ORThese are classic Gucci sling back heels with pointed toes in a bone or tan leather. We love the pretty gold bands that add just the right amount of unique...Category
Early 2000s Italian Shoes
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
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.
This Vintage Chanel Fur Muff Is Après-Ski Chic
It might not be as practical as a pair of mittens, but for something that looks this good, practicality really doesn't matter.