CHANEL Blue Cotton and Wool Dress Size 50FR
View Similar Items
CHANEL Blue Cotton and Wool Dress Size 50FR
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.
- AZZARO Size 38 FR Short Pink DressBy Loris AzzaroLocated in Paris, FRStunning! AZZARO short dress in pink color. Straight cut, straight collar, sleeveless. Large square neckline at the back. The bottom of the dress is decorate...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Day Dresses
- Hervé Léger XS Pearl Gray Bandage DressBy Herve LégerLocated in Paris, FRHervé Léger stretch dress (00127023) in pearl gray colors. At the back a long zipper: 56 cm. Dimensions flat: bottom 39 cmCategory
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Aesthetic Day Dresses
- COURREGES Vintage White Dress in Polyester and Floral Organdi Floral Lace 36FRBy André CourrègesLocated in Paris, FRLovely vintage Courrèges white dress in polyester and ornate floral lace. Corresponds to a size 36 (no size tag) Condition: Vintage Measures fl...Category
Late 20th Century French Day Dresses
- ZUHAIR MURAD Short Cocktail Dress in Black and Beige Silk and Polyamide Size 38By Zuhair MuradLocated in Paris, FRZuhair Murad short cocktail dress in black and beige silk and polyamide. The dress is adorned with black draped fabric, black pearls and shiny s...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Cocktail Dresses
- CHANEL Dress in Black Polyamide Size 36FRBy ChanelLocated in Paris, FRCHANEL black dress in polyamide, extensible material. Size 36 FR. Recent collection. 2 pockets at the front. The lining is in black silk. In very good condition. Dimensions: shou...Category
2010s French Aesthetic Day Dresses
- CHANEL Dress in Black Tweed and Leather Size 38FRBy ChanelLocated in Paris, FRChanel dress in black tweed and leather. Size 38FR. The neck is notched and the front of the dress is adorned with two patch pockets with a button on each pocket representing the wor...Category
2010s Day Dresses
- Christian Dior John Galliano Cadillac Car Plate Dua Lipa Beach Stamp Dress PareoBy Christian DiorLocated in PARIS, FRChristian Dior By John Galliano Cadillac FW 2001 Car Plate Dua Lipa Beach Stamp Dress Skirt Pareo Sarong Bustier Christian Dior by John Galliano pareo / sk...Category
Early 2000s French Mini Dresses
- Courrèges 1960s DressBy André CourrègesLocated in New York, NY1960s Courrèges Dress in blue and white wool. Courreges signature logo placed in the center of the neck and white stitching contrasts brilliantly with the blue fabric. Two pockets at...Category
1960s Day Dresses
- Tom Ford for Gucci python print dress SS 2000By Tom Ford for Gucci, GucciLocated in Rubiera, REGUCCI PERIOD: TOM FORD S/S 2000 Collection Python print halter neck turquoise dress Size IT 44 Made in Italy 100% viscose Flat measures: Length cm. 100 Bust cm. 44 Excellent conditionCategory
Early 2000s Italian Day Dresses
- Jean Patou Paris Collection Boutique Green/Blue Day DressBy Jean Patou ParisLocated in Sharon, CTJean Patou Paris Collection Boutique 95%Wool with 5% Nylon, Rayon lining. Size 14, fits like an EU 42. Possibly designed by Karl Lagerfeld. Belted in back, sipper on side.Category
1960s French Day Dresses
- Cheongsam Midnight Blue DressLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis Cheongsam Brocade Dress is fit for a royal. The beautiful Midnight blue combined with the intricate floral brocade fabric will make you feel and look your best. This dress is p...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Day Dresses
- Vintage 1970's Blue Silk Printed Chiffon DressLocated in Los Angeles, CAThe perfect dress to make a statement – this Vintage 1970's Blue Silk Printed Chiffon Dress is a fashionista's dream come true. Boasting a classic 70's look with its pleated draping ...Category
1970s Maxi Dresses
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.