Early 1980's Classic Chanel Dress
View Similar Items
Early 1980's Classic Chanel 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.
- Vintage 1970s Andre Laug For Audrey Silk Chiffon Dot Print Empire Evening DressBy André LaugLocated in Portland, ORThis incredible vintage early 1970's André Laug silk chiffon dress is in a pleated multi layered, tiered sheer pale grey silk chiffon with abstract pink and green dots. The bodice ha...Category
1970s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Ossie Clark vintage 1970’s Floral Swing DressBy Ossie ClarkLocated in London, GBWe are very excited to present this Ossie Clark 1970’s long sleeve swing dress. Features floral pattern, tie neck, wide silhouette with long sleeves and midi length. Print by Celia B...Category
1970s British Evening Dresses
- 1999A Chanel Bustier Dress FR38 BlackBy Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for ChanelLocated in PARIS, FRChanel FW 1999 collection dress, bustier, in black wool crepe, 2 slit pockets on the sides, mid-length, black silk lining, closing with a long zip and a hook. Size 38FR: chest 41 cm,...Category
1990s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Jean Paul Gaultier Vintage S/S 2001 Constellation Silk DressBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in London, GBWe are excited to present this Jean Paul Gaultier Spring Summer 2001 ‘Constellation’ silk sleeveless dress. Features v-neckline, tie shoulder detail and maxi length. In excellent vin...Category
Early 2000s French Maxi Dress
- Versace S/S 2021/22 Re-edition of S/S 1994 Safety Pin DressBy VersaceLocated in London, GBWe are excited to present this 2021/22 Versace Spring Summer re-edition black safety pin dress. Features short sleeves with shoulder pads, low cut neckline, zip back closure, safety ...Category
2010s Italian Evening Dresses
- Miu Miu 2008 Structured Silk DressBy Miu MiuLocated in London, GBWe are excited to present this Miu Miu 2008 structured black silk mini dress. Features a high neckline, zip back closure and mini length. In excellent vin...Category
Early 2000s French Mini 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.