Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld black evening dress with crystal jewellery set, ss 1998
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Marked Size: FR36 - UK8 - US4 (EU)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU140219840242
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: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Dolce & Gabbana black rayon jersey maxi dress with crystal brooches, fw 1998By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GB▪ Dolce & Gabbana black rayon jersey maxi dress ▪ 98% Rayon, 5% Elastane ▪ Ruby glass crystal brooches ▪ Low back ▪ IT 42 - FR 38 - UK 10 - US 6 ▪ Fall-Winter 1998Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Gianni Versace silver Oroton metal chainmail bodysuit and skirt, fw 1994By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GB▪ Gianni Versace silver Oroton chainmail two piece skirt suit ▪ 100% Metal ▪ Vest with lycra bodysuit attached ▪ Knee length skirt with draped detail ▪ ...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Gianni Versace multicoloured oroton metal chainmail evening tunic, fw 1984By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GB▪ Gianni Versace multicoloured Oroton chainmail evening tunic ▪ 100% Aluminium, 100% Silk ▪ Wide sleeves ▪ Silk trim ▪ Size Small - Medium ▪ Fall-Winter 1984Category
1980s Italian Blouses
- Gianni Versace brown leather and viscose jersey evening dress, fw 2001By Gianni VersaceLocated in London, GB▪ Gianni Versace brown leather and viscose jersey evening dress ▪ Leather panels at shoulders and hips ▪ 3 buckle fastenings at hips ▪ C...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- John Galliano black viscose crêpe bias cut low back evening gown, fw 1988By John GallianoLocated in London, GBJohn Galliano black viscose crêpe bias cut evening gown, low cowl back with horizontal strap, zig-zag points to the sides and full skirt with flared godets to hem. 'Hairclips', Fall...Category
1980s British Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld gold lurex t-shirt dress, fw 1996By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for ChanelLocated in London, GBChanel by Karl Lagerfeld gold lurex knitted t-shirt maxi dress with v-neck and six 'cc' button closures at back vent. Fall-Winter 1996Category
1990s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- ALEXANDER MCQUEEN 2018 Red Cut-Out Gown XSBy Alexander McQueen, Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueenLocated in Berlin, BEALEXANDER MCQUEEN 2018 Red Cut-Out Gown Brand: Alexander McQueen Designer: Sarah Burton Collection / Year: 2018 Fabric: Viscose / Silk Color: Red Size: ...Category
2010s Italian Evening Gowns
- 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
- Vintage 1950's Neymar Couture Duchess Satin & Beaded Gown UK 4 US 0Located in Cheltenham, GBA once in a lifetime piece, this original 1950's Neymar Couture duchess satin gown, in the most sumptuous shade of cream, showcases true craftsmanship i...Category
1950s Ball Gowns
- Vintage 1950's Pink Swirling Satin & Tulle Dress UK 6 US 2Located in Cheltenham, GBThis iconic 1950's dress, rendered in layers of pink tulle, with delicate circular satin details, is just the piece for that special occasion. The strapless cut of the dress, featu...Category
1950s Cocktail Dresses
- Roberto Cavalli 2004 crystal maxi gownBy Roberto CavalliLocated in Annandale, VARoberto Cavalli 2004 lilac maxi gown with crystal embellishments Size 38 Gorgeous, rare dress with sexy open back and silk tail that can also b...Category
Early 2000s Italian Maxi Dress
- Roberto Cavalli 2003 black beaded maxi gown dressBy Roberto CavalliLocated in Annandale, VARoberto Cavalli 2003 beaded black gown It’s absolutely breathtaking! Part of my collection and I’m only willing to part with it for the right price No size tag as it was removed ...Category
Early 2000s 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.