Vintage CHANEL Dress - Medium - SS 1999 Grey Knit Drop Drape Skirt Shift Dress
View Similar Items
Vintage CHANEL Dress - Medium - SS 1999 Grey Knit Drop Drape Skirt Shift Dress
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.
- HERVE LEGER Size XXS Blue Rayon Blend A-Line Cocktail DressBy Herve LégerLocated in San Francisco, CAHERVE LEGER cocktail mini dress comes in blue rayon blend knit fabric featuring a strappy neckline, A-line shape, and a back zipper closure.Good Pre-Owned Condition. As Is. Garment ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Dresses
- GIAMBATTISTA VALLI Size XS Black & White Silk Mixed Fabrics Cocktail DressBy Giambattista ValliLocated in San Francisco, CAGIAMBATTISTA VALLI sleeveless cocktail dress comes in a black and white lace and silk taffeta fabric, full lined and more than a half invisible zipper closure at center back featurin...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Dresses
- PRADA Size 10 Black Pleated Silk Lace Top Long Sleeve Cocktail DressBy PradaLocated in San Francisco, CAPRADA cocktail dress comes in black pleated silk crepe chiffon with top stitching throughout, belted waist, lace long sleeve top, and tied back neck. Made in Italy.Excellent Pre-Owne...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Dresses
- OSCAR DE LA RENTA Size 12 Navy Silk Sleeveless Sheath Cocktail DressBy Oscar De La RentaLocated in San Francisco, CAOSCAR DE LA RENTA sleeveless sheath dress comes in navy blue silk faille with a scoop neckline, sheath silhouette, slim straps, and belted waist. Made in USA.Excellent Pre-Owned Cond...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Dresses
- GIAMBATTISTA VALLI Size 6 Black Pleated Cotton / Silk Cocktail DressBy Giambattista ValliLocated in San Francisco, CAGIAMBATTISTA VALLI strapless dress comes in a black pleated cotton / silk featuring a cocktail style, inner bustier, wide waist tie detail, and a side zip up closure. Made in Italy.V...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Dresses
- CHRISTIAN LACROIX Size 4 Beige Embroidered Silk Cocktail Shift DressBy Christian LacroixLocated in San Francisco, CACHRISTIAN LACROIX cocktail dress comes in a beige silk featuring a shift style, embroidered details, and a side zipper closure. Very Good Pre-Owned Condition. Marked: 36 Measure...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Cocktail Dresses
- Leonard of Paris Fuschia Multi Color Silk Chiffon Strapless GownBy Leonard of ParisLocated in New York, NYVintage Leonard of Paris bright and flirty ruffled silk chiffon cocktail dress / evening gown, unmarked size, approximately US 6. Featuring four layer...Category
Late 20th Century French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Alexander McQueen lilac wool button-up sweater dress, fw 1996By Alexander McQueenLocated in London, GB▪ Alexander McQueen lilac wool sweater dress ▪ Turtleneck ▪ Opening across bust line fastening with multiple buttons ▪ Pleated seam at centre-back ▪ Worn ...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- John Galliano floral print silk chiffon drop-waist floor-length dress, fw 2008By John GallianoLocated in London, GB▪ John Galliano silk chiffon dress ▪ A sample made for Vogue ▪ Ivory and pink floral print with mauve base ▪ Cowl neckline ▪ Rolled shoulder straps ▪ Drop waist ▪ Multiple fabric ...Category
Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Maison Margiela Paris Navy Maxi Dress, Size 36By Maison Martin MargielaLocated in Beverly Hills, CA- Shine finish - Knit detail on the neckline - Loose fit - 3/4 sleeve length - Made in ItalyCategory
2010s French Day Dresses
$840 Sale Price20% Off - Antik Batik Pink Silk Leather Kaftan Blouson DressLocated in Brindisi, BtAntik Batik women's vintage short dress. Powder pink color, 100% silk, applications sewn by hand 100% leather. V-neckline, elasticated waist belt, lined. 1...Category
1990s Indian Tunics and Wrap Dresses
- Alberta Ferretti Gray Cotton Vintage Off Shoulder DressBy Alberta FerrettiLocated in Brindisi, BtAlberta Ferretti 90s vintage off shoulder dress. Short dress with sweetheart neckline, gray with white stitching. Zip closure along the chest, on th...Category
1990s Italian Cocktail Dresses
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.