1997C Chanel Multicolor Abstract Printed Silk Skirt & Bodysuit Ensemble
View Similar Items
1997C Chanel Multicolor Abstract Printed Silk Skirt & Bodysuit Ensemble
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.
- Yves Saint Laurent YSL Yellow & Blue Plaid Silk 2-Piece Skirt & Halter EnsembleBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Studio City, CACa. 1980 Yves Saint Laurent yellow, blue, and white plaid silk taffeta ensemble with prairie skirt and halter top. Halter has a shiny blue ring at back n...Category
1980s French Twin Sets
$1,200 Sale Price25% Off - Iconic 1970's Yves Saint Laurent YSL Floral Print Blouse & Skirt EnsembleBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Studio City, CA1970's Yves Saint Laurent iconic floral print blouse & skirt ensemble in a lightweight wool. Blouse features button closure at the top and ruffle trim at collar. In excellent conditi...Category
1970s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Yves Saint Laurent Green Cotton Floral Print Three Piece EnsembleBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Studio City, CACa. 1981 YSL 3-piece floral print ensemble comprised of a halter top which tucks into a skirt that is completely open at both sides and is worn over a pair of Bermuda style shorts. B...Category
1980s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Yves Saint Laurent YSL Colorblocked Sweater & Maxi Skirt EnsembleBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Studio City, CAYves Saint Laurent green & blue long sleeve lambswool sweater and teal blue alpaca wool full maxi skirt ensemble. In excellent condition. Sweater is a ...Category
Late 20th Century French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Alaia Midnight Blue Top & Skirt Ensemble w/CutoutsBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Studio City, CAAlaïa midnight blue bodycon top and skirt ensemble featuring cutouts. The top is 3/4 length with a square neckline and scalloped trim. The skirt is an A-line silhouette with flounced...Category
Early 2000s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- 1970s Giorgio di Sant'Angelo Multicolored Embroidered Patterned Velvet EnsembleBy Giorgio di Sant' AngeloLocated in Studio City, CA1970's Sant'Angelo label velvet multicolored embroidered top/jacket and wrap skirt ensemble. In excellent condition - no size tag so please consult measurements. MEASUREMENTS: Skir...Category
1970s American Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
$1,400 Sale Price22% Off
- Azzedine Alaia S/S 1991 Vintage Skirt and Crop Top 2 Piece SetBy Azzedine AlaïaLocated in Naples, FLAzzedine Alaia F/W 1991 Vintage Skirt and Crop Top 2 Piece Set Size SCategory
1990s Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Vintage 1960's Galanos Couture Ivory Silk Satin Low-Plunge Long Sleeve JumpsuitBy James Galanos, GalanosLocated in Beverly Hills, CAA gorgeous Galanos Couture ivory-creme silk satin jumpsuit dating back to the mid 1960's. Dedication to excellence in craftsmanship and design was ...Category
1960s American Jumpsuits
- Oscar De La Renta FW 2004 Boucle French Vanilla Embellished Skirt Suit 16 and 6By Oscar De La RentaLocated in Montgomery, TXOscar De La Renta Boucle Yarn Wool Embellished Skirt Suit F/W 2004 Runway Collection Designer sizes available US 16 and US 6 ( please check measurements) A True Masterpiece by the M...Category
Early 2000s Italian Skirt Suits
- S/S 15 look#25 VERSACE WHITE LASER CUT LEATHER JACKET SKIRT SUIT as seen on KatyBy VersaceLocated in Montgomery, TXVERSACE LASER CUT LEATHER SUIT Actual runway sample Spring/Summer 2015 look #25 Embellished with grommets Content: 100% leather IT Size 38 - US 2 Unlined measures: jacket: sh...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Skirt Suits
$3,587 Sale Price37% Off - Gucci Crystal Embellished Silk JumpsuitBy GucciLocated in Naples, FLGucci Crystal Embellished Silk Jumpsuit IT 40 Excellent Condition! Gucci peach crystal embellished jumpsuit featuring gold-tone hardware at waist and b...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Hanae Mori Kimono Dress Set (1970’s)By Hanae MoriLocated in Los Angeles, CAKimono Dress Set by Hanae Mori Circa 1970's Red satin dress Black bow detail at back Side zipper Multicolor textured Kimono lined in red satin G...Category
1970s Japanese Dress and Coat Ensembles
$2,657 Sale Price29% 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.