Chanel Gladiator Shift Dress, Fall 2003
View Similar Items
Chanel Gladiator Shift Dress, Fall 2003
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, Chanel 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 — a 1955 update of a 1920s-era design — with its gold-chain shoulder strap that freed up a woman’s hands. Her 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.
- Nina Ricci Navy Blue Gown with White Floral Details circa 1960sBy Nina RicciLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis is a navy blue gown by Nina Ricci circa 1960s. It features one shoulder and a sweetheart neckline. There are white floral details that begin from t...Category
1960s Evening Gowns
- Todd Oldham Mesh and Gold Button Dress circa 1990sBy Todd OldhamLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis is a long sleeve dress by Todd Oldham c. 1990s. It features a fine black mesh body with panels of gridded gold buttons placed for coverage. 14" shoulder to shoulder 22&...Category
1990s Evening Dresses
- Radley of London by Ossie Clark DressBy Ossie Clark for Radley, RadleyLocated in Los Angeles, CARadley of London Dress by Ossie Clark Circa 1970's Vintage Made in England Black silk Floral jacquard pattern Halter tie neckline Neckline is a...Category
1970s English Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Norman Norell Mermaid Gown With Gown (Circa 1960s)By Norman NorellLocated in Los Angeles, CANormen Norell "Mermaid" Gown Circa 1960's Vintage Made in the United States Iridescent purple sequin Sequins cover dark forest green silk fabric Hand stitched sequin embellishme...Category
1960s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
$2,876 Sale Price20% Off - Missoni Long Sleeve Wave Knit DressBy MissoniLocated in Los Angeles, CALong Sleeve Wave Knit Dress by Missoni Circa late 90s Green/Blue/Black Knit wave stripe detail throughout dress Long sleeve Fabric stretches Dress has black spaghetti strap slip Mad...Category
1990s Unknown Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vintage Bob Mackie Purple Sequin Mardi Gras GownBy Bob MackieLocated in Los Angeles, CAVintage Purple Sequin Mardi Gras Gown by Bob Mackie Boutique Circa 1980s Purple/pink Long sleeve Purple and pink floral beaded and sequin embellish...Category
1980s North American Evening Gowns
- Badgley Mischka Beaded Black Silk Lace Evening Gown Size US 10By Badgley MischkaLocated in New York, NYBadgley Mischka glamorous black silk lace evening gown, size US 10. Gown features hand beaded and embroidered lace with glass jet beading, and neckline with glass jet beads along cu...Category
Late 20th Century American Evening Gowns
- Mariano Fortuny Black Silk Peplos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated black colored silk with silk cording along side seams,shoulders and tunic hem with matte frosted colored glass beads threaded through the cordin...Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Peplos
Price Upon Request - Mariano Fortuny Black Peplos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated black colored silk with silk cording along side seams,shoulders and tunic hem with multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording.
...CategoryEarly 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns
Price Upon Request - Mariano Fortuny Black Delphos GownBy FortunyLocated in Riverdale, NYThis dress is made of finely pleated black colored silk with silk cording along side seams, and multicolored glass beads threaded through the cording.
Named after a ...CategoryEarly 20th Century Italian Art Deco Delphos Gowns
Price Upon Request - Eavis & Brown Beaded Evening DressBy Eavis & BrownLocated in Water Mill, NYEavis & Brown Fabulous Beaded Hand Made Dress..Size XSCategory
20th Century English Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Beautiful D&G Dolce and Gabbana Leopard Print DressBy D&G by DOLCE & GABBANALocated in Hoffman Estates, ILBeautiful vintage D&G Dolce & Gabbana leopard print dress. Excellent condition.Category
Early 20th Century Italian Day Dresses
$440 Sale Price20% Off
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.