1975 Chanel Haute-Couture Graphic Fuchsia Print Pleated Silk Dress Ensemble
View Similar Items
1975 Chanel Haute-Couture Graphic Fuchsia Print Pleated Silk Dress Ensemble
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.
- Vintage 1958 Jean Desses Haute-Couture Metallic Lame Abstract Print Dress & CoatBy Jean DessèsLocated in Beverly Hills, CAJean Desses couture garments are rare, unique and highly collectible. This exquisite ensemble dates back to when Jean Desses closed his couture house at 17, Avenue Matignon and conti...Category
20th Century French Dress and Coat Ensembles
- Vintage 1960's Burke-Amey Couture Black Wool & Green Silk Applique Dress SuitBy Burke-AmeyLocated in Beverly Hills, CAUltra chic and super sophisticated Burke-Amey graphic appliqué 3-piece ensemble dating back to their 1968-69 fall/winter collection. Burke-Amey was started in 1959 by designer Ronald...Category
1960s American Skirt Suits
- Vintage 1991 Givenchy Haute Couture Green Pink Satin Strapless Jumpsuit & JacketBy GivenchyLocated in Beverly Hills, CAGivenchy, the name itself evokes glamour, refined elegance, simplicity and style. Givenchy's trademark of sculpted lines and luxurious fabrics make his work easily recognizable. This bold jumpsuit ensemble, dating back to their 1991 haute couture collection, is a beautiful example of his brilliance. The fabric itself is a masterpiece; luxurious emerald-green and magenta-pink lined silk satin. I adore the boned strapless bodice with over-sized cummerbund belt. The flattering nipped waist met by straight-legged trouser pants create the perfect amount of drama to this timeless piece. The matching hourglass peplum jacket complete with wide lapel-collar and over-sized pockets finish this garment off with a perfect femme fatale vibe. With this ensemble, you have one complete outfit or amazing separates! Measurements Jumpsuit Bust: 33-34 inches Waist: 26 inches Hips: up to 39 inches Length top to waist: 10 inches Length waist to hem: 41 inches Matching Jacket Total Length: 22 inches Sleeve Length: 23 inches Shoulder to Shoulder: 16 inches This 1982 Givenchy numbered...Category
1990s French Jumpsuits
- Vintage 1950's Lilli Diamond Silver Lamé Beaded Strapless Dress and Swing JacketBy Lilli DiamondLocated in Beverly Hills, CAA seductive and highly stylized 1950's sparkling silver lamé dress ensemble by the famous Lilli Diamond label. The silhouette is classic pin-up "femm...Category
1950s American Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Vintage 1970s Valentino Novelty Acorn Print Velvet Swing Jacket & Maxi Skirt SetBy ValentinoLocated in Beverly Hills, CAValentino’s work is timeless and dramatic. This early Valentino boutique creation, dating back to his fall-winter 1977 collection, is very unique in many ways. The novelty chestnut r...Category
1970s Italian Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Vintage 1971 Pierre Balmain Haute Couture Beaded Blue Velvet Jumpsuit and JacketBy Pierre BalmainLocated in Beverly Hills, CAExquisite Pierre Balmain Haute-Couture dark blue silk-velvet jumpsuit ensemble dating back to his opulent 1971 collection. This iconic designer created a very sculptural quality whic...Category
1970s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent Runway Spring Summer 2002 Size 40 / 8 Brown SetBy Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent, Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in San Diego, CAIconic and rare documented vintage YVES SAINT LURENT Rive Gauche by TOM FORD Spring / Summer 02 Runway silk and mesh military inspired cargo vest blouse and skirt ! The perfect alter...Category
Early 2000s French Skirt Suits
- Gianni Versace Silk Dress and Jacket 1990sBy Gianni Versace, Istante by VersaceLocated in Water Mill, NYA beautiful yellow silk dress and jacket set from Gianni Versace's Istante collection. The sleeveless scoop neck semi fitted dress is simply cut ...Category
1990s Italian Day Dresses
$775 Sale Price35% Off - French SilkVelvet Dress and Opera Cape by Simone PieltainLocated in Gresham, ORA fabulous French 60s formal evening ensemble in flocked silk satin by Simone Pieltain with back pouf detail and opera cape. Approx US size 6Category
1960s French Dress and Coat Ensembles
- Incredible 1950s French Lace Bombshell Chantilly Lace Wiggle Dress + CapeLocated in San Diego, CAAmazing vintage 1950s Demi Couture French Lace dress and caplet! Wonderful beige/nude/brown color lace, with matching caplet. Impeccable construction...Category
1950s Cocktail Dresses
- John Galliano for Christian Dior Silk Lace up Top and SkirtBy John Galliano, Christian DiorLocated in Water Mill, NYAn incredible 2 piece silk skirt and top set in a pink and yellow flower print from John Galliano for Christian Dior. The top has adjustable functi...Category
Early 2000s French Skirt Suits
- Dynasty 1960s For Lord & Taylor Light Pink Large Size 3 Piece Vintage Dress SetBy DynastyLocated in San Diego, CAUtterly chic vintage 60s DYNASTY 3 piece light pink silk dress ensemble! The most beautiful light pink silk with intricate embrodiery in blues, greens, pin...Category
1960s Hong Kong Skirt Suits
$1,020 Sale Price20% Off
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.