1980s Chloe Sheer Black Beaded Cocktail Dress
View Similar Items
1980s Chloe Sheer Black Beaded Cocktail Dress
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 — not long after introducing the diffusion label See by Chloé that year — 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 2005. 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.
- 1950's Mollie Parnis Black Gown with Illusion Beaded SleeveBy Mollie ParnisLocated in Toronto, Ontario1950's Mollie Parnis black rayon and chiffon long sleeve gown with unique asymmetrical shear chiffon and beading shoulder. The intricate beaded pattern, made up of rhinestones and bu...Category
1950s American Evening Gowns
- 1980's Mira Black and Gold Shimmy Cocktail DressLocated in Toronto, OntarioChic shimmy style black and gold dress by Mira from the 1980s. Black devorre velvet and gold lame in V pattern. Beaded fringe along hem and down...Category
1980s American Cocktail Dresses
- 1980's Scherrer Black Velvet Dress with Beaded SleevesBy Jean-Louis ScherrerLocated in Toronto, OntarioClassic black velvet Jean-Louis Scherrer couture dress with beaded 3/4 sleeves from the 1980's. High neckline with black buttons down center. Gorgeous multi stone jet beading with se...Category
1980s French Evening Dresses
- 1980's Herve Leger Chocolate Brown Long Sleeve Lace CocktailBy Herve LégerLocated in Toronto, OntarioA classic chocolate brown Herve Leger bandage dress from the 1980's. This vintage piece with see through lace sleeves is as sexy as all his early creations. Zipper up the back. Excel...Category
1980s French Cocktail Dresses
- 1980's Bellville Sassoon Black Long Sleeve Sequin DressBy Bellville SassoonLocated in Toronto, Ontario1980's Bellville Sassoon black long sleeve sequin cocktail dress. Sleeves are left unlined and sheer to add sex appeal. Crew neck a...Category
1980s British Cocktail Dresses
- 1960's Galanos Black Silk Chiffon GownBy GalanosLocated in Toronto, OntarioStunning and elegant late 1960's Galanos couture black silk chiffon gown. Fitted halter style bodice with vertical gathering at bust and horizontal ...Category
1960s American Evening Gowns
- Moschino Spring 2004 dressBy MoschinoLocated in Brooklyn, NYSuper cute Moschino black lingerie Spring 2004 dress with lace and hooks on bodice, and ruffles at the bottom as seen on the runway in a pink version. The d...Category
Early 2000s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Mariano Fortuny Black Silk Peplos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated black colored silk with silk cording along side seams,shoulders and tunic hem with matte frosted colored glass beads threaded through the cordin...Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Peplos
Price Upon Request - Mariano Fortuny Black Peplos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated black colored silk with silk cording along side seams,shoulders and tunic hem with multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording.
...CategoryEarly 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns
Price Upon Request - Mariano Fortuny Black Delphos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated black colored silk with silk cording along side seams, and multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording.
Named after a ...CategoryEarly 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns
Price Upon Request - DOLCE&GABBANA Black and Beige Silk Dress with Adjustable Straps | Size 8US 40EUBy D&G by DOLCE & GABBANA, Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Cuggiono, MIThis babydoll dress is made of a black silk chiffon fabric and it is fully lined with a silk beige crepe de chine. It features a full circle skirt, a pair of adjustable straps and a ...Category
2010s Italian Babydoll Dresses
- Herve Leger "Belina" Black Asymmetric Fringe Eyelet Strapless Bandage Dress NWTBy Herve Leger by Max Azria, Herve LégerLocated in Chicago, ILHerve Leger "Belina" black asymmetric fringe metal eyelet strapless bandage mini dress. New with tags (MSRP: $1,990). Tight, sturdy and durable construction, built to showcase your c...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese 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?