Chanel Cotton Print Dress
View Similar Items
Chanel Cotton Print Dress
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, 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.
- Yves Saint Laurent Off-The-Shoulder Belted Maxi DressBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Geneva, CHBeloved for their romantic feel and feminine shape, early 70s YSL dresses are harder and harder to find and for sure, they are always a must ! Probably cut from a doted crepe jacquar...Category
1970s French Maxi Dresses
- Yves Saint Laurent Knit & Tulle Mini Dress, Fall-Winter 1988By Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in Geneva, CHAnthony Vaccarello has dived into Saint Laurent's archives once more ! We can find a close inspiration of this original 80's dress in the current 2019 Fall-Winter collection (see pic...Category
1980s French Mini Dresses
- Yves Saint Laurent "Hommage A Matisse" Runway Dress, Spring-Summer 1983By Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in Geneva, CHAs a tribute to the painters he admired, YSL celebrated once again "Le Peintre de la Couleur", Henri Matisse, with his 1982 Spring-Summer haute couture collection. Our dress is from the ready-to-wear Spring-Summer 1983...Category
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
- Yves Saint Laurent Smocked Floral-Print Silk-Chiffon Maxi DressBy Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in Geneva, CHCut from airy sheer silk chiffon, this rare early 70s Saint Laurent Rive Gauche maxi dress is shirred from under the chest to the hips for a flattering - though comfortable - closer ...Category
1970s French Maxi Dresses
- Emilio Pucci By Christian Lacroix Printed Stretch-Jersey Dress, Fall-Winter 2003By Christian Lacroix, Emilio PucciLocated in Geneva, CHSince the beginning of the 50's until today, the Italian - Florentine based - label has celebrated color, movement and bold, exuberant prints. From the 2003 Fall-Winter collection wh...Category
Early 2000s Italian Sheath Dresses
- Givenchy Printed Plunging Maxi DressBy GivenchyLocated in Geneva, CHWonderful 70's silhouette with this Givenchy maxi dress. Made of airy silk chiffon featuring a red and white graphic print, the dress has a deep plunging neckline at the front and re...Category
1970s French Maxi Dresses
- Iconic Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Olive Green Safari Tunic, 1968.By Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in New York, NYYves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche Olive Green Safari Tunic, 1968. Olive green cotton tunic features laces at the front with long cords that are run through metal grommets, to be worn op...Category
1960s French Tunics and Wrap Dresses
- S/S 1990 Thierry Mugler Black and Green Sculptural DressBy Thierry MuglerLocated in New York, NYS/S 1990 Thierry Mugler Black Cotton Dress with Layered, Tiered Skirt Panels Backed with Acid Green Cotton; Fitted Bodice with Adjustable Straps; Self Belt w...Category
1990s French Cocktail Dresses
- Jean Paul Gaultier Classique Dress 1990's Vintage Tribal Aztec Wrap DressBy Jean Paul Gaultier ClassiqueLocated in London, GBJean Paul Gaultier Classique Dress 1990's Vintage Tribal Aztec Tattoo Print Wrap Dress Lightweight Stretchy Silky Mesh Material 100% Authentic SIZE: M ACTUAL MEASUREMENTS: S...Category
1990s Tunics and Wrap Dresses
- Gianni Versace Vintage Shift Midi DressBy Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GBGianni Versace Vintage Shift Midi Dress A-Line Cut CONDITION: This item is a vintage/pre-worn piece so some signs of natural wear and age are to be expected. However good general ...Category
1990s Casual Dresses
- Moschino vintage dressBy MoschinoLocated in London, GBMoschino vintage dress Moschino archive vintage grommet lace-up bodice belted detail side zip condition: this item is a vintage/pre-worn piece so some signs of natural wear and a...Category
Early 2000s Casual Dresses
- 1990's Moschino Couture Strapless Neckties Bustier Mini DressBy Moschino, Moschino CoutureLocated in Concord, NCUnique 1990's Moschino Couture whimsical vintage black strapless mini dress adorned with overlapping men's silk ties Concealed side zip closure Boned bustier top Strapless neckline M...Category
1990s Italian Day 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.