Documented Chanel Haute Couture Guipure Lace Gown, Spring-Summer 1981
About the Item
- Designer:Yvonne Dudel & Jean Cazaubon
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Bust: 31.5 in (80.01 cm)Waist: 27.6 in (70.11 cm)Shoulder to Hem: 61.4 in (155.96 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Hardly visible light marks on the belt (see image 7).
- Seller Location:Geneva, CH
- Reference Number:Seller: 1DJD02161stDibs: LU560887902
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Geneva, Switzerland
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
- Yves Saint Laurent Smocked Floral-Print Silk-Chiffon Maxi DressBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint LaurentLocated 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
- Givenchy Attributed Haute Couture Organza Cocktail DressLocated in Geneva, CHEnd of fifties-early sixties organza floral print dress attributed to Hubert de Givenchy. Train-cape in the back, matching bow belt and refined draped bustier. The dress fastens at t...Category
1950s French Cocktail Dresses
- Arnold Scaasi Off-The-Shoulder Ruched Floral-Print Cocktail DressBy Arnold ScaasiLocated in Geneva, CHOversized florals, bold colors and ruched silhouettes have flooded the collections for at least two seasons. So this genuine 80s Arnold Scaasi dress is completely in trend ! Finished...Category
1980s Cocktail Dresses
- Yves Saint Laurent Knit & Tulle Mini Dress, Fall-Winter 1988By Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Yves Saint LaurentLocated 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
- Ungaro Ruched Faux Ostrich Cocktail Mini DressBy Emanuel UngaroLocated in Geneva, CHThis 80's Ungaro Parallèle cocktail dress is cut from – probably – black silk ? (the composition materiel tag is missing) that's ruched and ruffled to create a flattering faux ostric...Category
1980s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Maggy Rouff Haute Couture Open-Back Sequin-Embellished Tulle Cocktail DressBy Maggy RouffLocated in Geneva, CHChanneling the timeless glamour, this late 50's - early 60's Maggy Rouff haute couture cocktail dress is infinitely flattering from every angle. Cut from black silk and tulle in a fi...Category
1960s French Cocktail Dresses
- Giambattista Valli Ivory Crepe Sleeveless Wedding Gown Dress EU 40By Giambattista ValliLocated in New York, NYElegant Giambattista Valli ivory crepe sleeveless wedding gown has a delicate fitted bust, darts to accentuate the length of waist, which is finished with a stitched ribbon at the wa...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Elaborately Beaded French FLapper Dress, c.1920sLocated in New York, NYElaborately Beaded French FLapper Dress, c.1920s Indigo knee-length gauze Flapper dress with intricate beading of art deco style motifs in shades of indigo, blue and silver. Featurin...Category
1920s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- New LANVIN Duchesse Satin Vintage Gray Long Wedding Celebrity Gown US 2 4 FR 36By Lanvin ParisLocated in Goshen, KYSize: French 36 Brand: LANVIN Color: Light Dove Gray Season: Vintage Features: Strapless sweetheart neckline Draped detail throughout Ruffle detail at side Belt at waist Long leng...Category
2010s Wedding Dresses
- Tom Ford Crystal Embellished Statement Dress F/W 2011 Size 38ITBy Tom FordLocated in Saint Petersburg, FLTom Ford - Olive gray, Swarovski crystal lace embellished dress. The lace dress is lined in sheer nude fabric and has an invisible zipper for closure.Category
2010s Italian Evening Gowns
- Stanley Platos Organza DressLocated in Water Mill, NYEvening/Day Vintage Organsa Dress with Flower on the Side by Stanley Platos & Martin Ross for Bergdorf Goodman..Size 8Category
20th Century American Cocktail Dresses
- Iconic Dolce e Gabbana "Music" Dress F/W 2011By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Venezia, ITIconic Dolce e Gabbana "Music" Dress F/W 2011 - Seen on Kim Kardashian - NO RETURNS If you need information, please contacting us!Category
2010s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
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.