Chanel Strapless Dress with Peplum Pockets circa 1980s
View Similar Items
Chanel Strapless Dress with Peplum Pockets circa 1980s
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.
- Givenchy Bandage Cutout DressBy GivenchyLocated in Los Angeles, CABandage cutout dress by Givenchy Made in Italy Red Three-quarter sleeves Gathered shoulder detail Shoulder pads Cutouts throughout bodice and back Decor...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Dolce & Gabbana Black Off-The-Shoulder Bow Cady GownBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Los Angeles, CADolce & Gabbana Black Off-The-Shoulder Bow Cady Gown Black Off-the-shoulder neckline Bow accents drape on shoulder Ruched bodice Fitted waist Body contouring Mermaid style skirt Sm...Category
2010s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vintage Versace Atelier One Shoulder Crystal and Silk Green Dress (1980s)By Atelier Versace, VersaceLocated in Los Angeles, CAOne Shoulder Crystal and Silk Green Dress by Versace Atelier Circa late 1980s Two-tone; top layer is mint green and bottom is pale chartreuse Multicol...Category
1980s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vintage Chanel Blazer Dress (Circa Early 1990s)By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for ChanelLocated in Los Angeles, CAVintage blazer dress by Chanel Boutique 1990's by Lagerfeld Made in France One-piece Solid black Long sleeve Trompe-loeil gold buttons Double-brea...Category
1990s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Rare Alexander McQueen "Hunger" SPRING 1996 RTW Runway DressBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis dress is 1 of 2 ever made. It was Look 22 worn by Stella Tennant in the Spring 1996 Ready to Wear "Hunger" runway show and gifted to its owner by Alexander McQueen. There is no ...Category
1990s British Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vintage James Galanos Lace Swirl Gown ( Circa 80s/90s)By James GalanosLocated in Los Angeles, CAVintage Lace Swirl Gown by James Galanos Circa late 80s early 90s Black lace Polka dot lace detail Dress has fabric swirl embellishment throughout Multi-lay...Category
Late 20th Century American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Versace Vintage 2000’s Asymmetrical Neckline DressBy VersaceLocated in London, GBWe are excited to present this Versus Versace early 2000’s red asymmetrical neckline dress. Features an asymmetrical neckline with ruched detail and maxi length. In excellent vintage...Category
Early 2000s Italian Maxi Dress
- Jean Paul Gaultier Long Red Jersey Knit and Chiffon Dress, French Circa 1990By Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Toulon, FRCirca 1990 France Long dress in red jersey knit Jean Paul Gaultier. Wide collar in beige chiffon that can be worn in different ways: like a hood, a wide boat neck revealing shoulde...Category
1990s French Cocktail Dresses
- Vintage Red Cashmere and Sequin DressLocated in London, GBA chic and easy to wear vintage cashmere , bead and sequin dress. The dress is in a stunning red colour and is fully lined. It has gathering at the waist , a round neckline , and l...Category
1970s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- S/S 2002 Gianni Versace Red Mini Dress Sheer With Black Lace TrimBy Donatella Versace, Gianni Versace CoutureLocated in Austin, TXS/S 2002 Gianni Versace Red Mini Dress Sheer With Black Lace Trim Condition: Excellent Silk Blend Made in Italy SIZE: 40 Waist: 24"-27", Hips: 40"- 46", ...Category
Early 2000s Cocktail Dresses
$2,100 Sale Price40% Off - Vintage Red Silk Long-Sleeve Wiggle DressLocated in New York, NYThis Cheongsam-inspired silk wiggle dress is such a beautiful statement. Made in the 1980s by a New York-based label, it features a high mandarin-collar mockneck, and such a svelte s...Category
1980s Cocktail Dresses
- 1969 Rudi Gernreich Red and Purple Wool Maxi DressBy Rudi Gernreich, Rudi GerneichLocated in London, GBDocumented Rudi Gurniech red and purple "cross my heart" maxi dress circa 1969. The celebrated signer and actress, Barbara Streisand, owned many of Gurniech designs including this e...Category
1970s American Maxi Dress
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.