Chloe Karl Lagerfeld Boteh Dress High Neck Lace Inset, 1981
View Similar Items
Chloe Karl Lagerfeld Boteh Dress High Neck Lace Inset, 1981
About the Item
Chloé
A part of the Left Bank intellectual crowd who shared her mother’s fondness for fashion, Chloé cofounder Gaby Aghion was inspired to empower independent working women to break from the conservative dress of the 1950s and don more free-spirited, feminine designs that were appropriate for both work and social life.
Born in Alexandria, Egypt, Aghion established her fashion house in Paris in 1952 with her business partner Jacques Lenoir to develop her own source of income, separate from her husband’s. She was one of the first designers to embrace the concept of luxury prêt-à-porter as a middle ground between haute couture and off-the-rack for the masses.
In 1964, Aghion hired a fledgling Karl Lagerfeld as a designer. The pair would bring Chloé into the international spotlight with their easy yet glamorous lines that drew such fans as Jacqueline Kennedy. Lagerfeld became the staff creative lead at Chloé in 1974 and stayed with the brand until 1983, during which time he became known for his romantic silk dresses that continued Aghion’s feminine vision and were a favorite of the “rich hippie” set. In 1988, then-unknown designer Martine Sitbon took the helm of Chloé for several years before Lagerfeld returned as creative director from 1992 to 1997, drawing all of the iconic 1990s supermodels to his runway.
After his second departure, Chloé tapped yet another early-career designer to lead the label: a punky 25-year-old Stella McCartney, who earned the position not because of her famous lineage (she’s the daughter of Paul and Linda McCartney), but because of her fashion education at Central Saint Martins and work experience on London’s Savile Row and at Christian Lacroix. Following McCartney’s exit to launch her own line in 2001, Chloé named Phoebe Philo to the post.
Under Philo’s leadership, Chloé expanded from women’s clothing to an accessories line — including handbags — and debuted the legendary Paddington bag in 2004. The padlocked satchel, notorious for weighing a hefty three pounds while empty, became one of the “It bags” of the decade (the brand’s double-handled Marcie holds its own in that regard); the entire 8,000-bag initial production run sold out via preorders.
Philo left Chloé in 2006; her successors include, among others, Clare Waight Kelle and Natacha Ramsay-Levi, who announced that she would be departing the house in late 2020. Part of Chloé’s decades-long lasting influence — which we’d like to speculate would appease Aghion greatly — is the brand’s dedication as a career-launching platform for newbie designers, particularly women.
Browse an extraordinary inventory of vintage Chloé handbags, day dresses, shoes and more on 1stDibs.
- 1930s Black and Blue Batik Floral Print Strappy Sleeveless Maxi Dress / GownLocated in Boca Raton, FLA stunning 1930s taffeta maxi dress. I love the blue batik floral print against the black background. The multiple thin straps from the shoulders and down to the mid back are sexy a...Category
1930s Unknown Day Dresses
- 1970s Mac Tac of Paris Floral Printed Nylon Jersey Cape DressBy Mac TacLocated in Boca Raton, FLIn collaboration with the renowned Paris house of prints, Leonard, the graphic and print designer Mac Tac offered this zany, almost surrealist print for this 1970s silk nylon jersey maxi dress. The print also features large orchids throughout, which is the signature Leonard flower. Done in a silky nylon jersey, the dress features an eclectic print of alternating stripes of white cut-out starbursts and marmalade orange and yellow starbursts on a black ground. This sleeveless dress comes with an attached capelet overlay piece that may be pulled back and worn over the shoulders, revealing another pattern of white starbursts...Category
1970s French Day Dresses
- Givenchy Silk Green Cherry Print Cocktail Dress, 1980sBy GivenchyLocated in Boca Raton, FLBest known for his high-end, feminine silhouettes, haute couture designer Givenchy rose to international acclaim during the 1960s by creating his signature looks for actress Audrey Hepburn. Maintaining a classic romantic elegance to his designs, Givenchy began experimenting with bolder colors and pattern options around the 1980s. This dress is made from a vivid green silk that has red-violet cherries throughout. Satin spots add intermittent luster throughout. A modest neckline rounds into slightly gathered short sleeves as classic silhouette evokes Givenchy’s traditional style. The skirt includes an overlay that is hemmed with a sweeping ruffle that adds some playfulness to match the print. An excellent vintage piece, this dress can easily be worn as a casual day dress...Category
1980s French Day Dresses
- Vintage Missoni Multicolored Dress with Matching Ruffle Collar and BeltBy MissoniLocated in Boca Raton, FLMissoni multicolored black metallic striped long sleeve dress with a detachable ruffle collar and a matching braided four strand rope belt. Elastic c...Category
1980s Italian Day Dresses
- JW Anderson Silk Macrame Wood Beaded Fringe Dress Runway Spring 2019By J W AndersonLocated in Boca Raton, FLBritish designer JW Anderson is a trailblazer in the contemporary fashion market. With a vast array of unique collections and collaborations, Anderson’s aesthetic offers a much-needed reorientation of fashion by combining elements of timeless tailoring and artisanal handicraft. Following this vision for his Spring 2019 collection, this macramé dress is a perfect testament to design that is both simple and complex. The bodice of the dress is a combination of white and anthracite crepe de chine. The liquid fabric drapes beautifully over the shoulders creating a mock-shawl effect while the white and grey provide a sophisticated contrast. On one of the sleeves, the grey crepe is ruched while the other is split at the shoulder. This asymmetry provides additional interest to the very geometric lattice beading on the front of the bodice. The skirt is slightly pegged and is done from a neutral linen underlayer and a macramé overskirt that incorporates wooden beading in the mix of the knotting. The skirt finishes with a band of widely spaced fringe. The combination of raw edges, wood, and natural tones, paired with the modern silkiness of the grey crepe give this dress a refreshing and serene vibe. It can be worn for a casual day dress...Category
2010s British Day Dresses
- 1970s Leonard Paris Silk Jersey Print belted Tunic Mini DressBy Leonard of ParisLocated in Boca Raton, FLCaptivating and vivacious, Leonard prints always add an element of fun to fashion. Their outrageous prints have become historic and are not only the source of brand identity but also...Category
1970s French Mini Dresses
- Adolfo Tropical Silk Jersey Strapless Dress with Half CapeletBy AdolfoLocated in New York, NYAdolfo strapless dress with bold green, indigo and white tropical floral print. Wonderfully tailored, with fitted bodice and draped open tulip front slit above the knee for movement...Category
Late 20th Century American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- SAINT LAURENT BY HEDI SLIMANE 2014 Black Leather Mini DressBy Hedi Slimane for Yves Saint Laurent, Saint LaurentLocated in Berlin, BEThe most incredible leather mini-dress by Saint Laurent from 2014, designed by Hedi Slimane. This exceptional sleeveless mini dress is made from a soft lamb leather and features gor...Category
2010s French Mini Dress
- Dolce & Gabbana Red Satin Silk Embellished Draped Strapless Dress MBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GBA beautiful red silk midi sleeveless dress from Dolce & Gabbana presenting a boned corset top for extra support and an embellished waistband. This dress has been made in Italy and is...Category
2010s Italian Cocktail Dresses
$432 Sale Price30% Off - F/W 1994 Chanel Black & White Faux Fur Mini Dress by Karl LagerfeldBy Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for ChanelLocated in Concord, NCChanel by Karl Lagerfeld black and white faux fur mini dress from the Fall Winter 1994 collection and as seen on the runway on Naomi Campbell. Ultra rare faux fur dress from the F/W...Category
1990s European Day Dresses
- Vintage Dolce & Gabbana black mini dress with crystal trim details S/S1995By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GBVintage Dolce & Gabbana black mini dress with crystal details S/S1995. The dress is in good condition just light signs of use around the crystals. ▪ Black rayon chiffon with lining ▪...Category
1990s Italian Mini Dress
$1,204 Sale Price48% Off - Gianni Versace F/W 2002 Star Flower Collage Print Plunge Neck Fit & Flare DressBy Donatella Versace for Gianni Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in Chicago, ILDesigned by Donatella Versace for the fall/winter 2002 collection. This Gianni Versace Couture labeled piece features a multicolor psychedelic floral and star cluster pattern, featured in fashion...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
14 Iconic Luxury Handbags and the Stories behind Them
When the name of a bag is as well-known as its brand, you know it's a classic.
The Best Ways to Dress for Your Astrological Sign
Makeup and astrology expert Linda Mason dispenses fashion advice for every zodiac sign. Does your wardrobe match your horoscope?