Chanel Creations Pink and Cream Boucle Skirt Suit, 1970s
View Similar Items
Chanel Creations Pink and Cream Boucle Skirt Suit, 1970s
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.
- 1970s Bonnie Cashin Cream and Green Houndstooth Coat and Skirt EnsembleBy Bonnie CashinLocated in Toronto, OntarioDarling Bonnie Cashin coat and skirt wool ensemble from the 1970s featuring an oversized cream and sage green allover houndstooth pattern. Cream leather collars, cuffs, belt and trim...Category
1970s American Dress and Coat Ensembles
- 1980s Chanel Haute Couture Cream Pant SuitBy ChanelLocated in Toronto, OntarioIncredible Chanel Haute Couture cream wool pantsuit from the early 1980s. Collarless jacket with faux flap pockets. Lovely round gold tone metal buttons ...Category
1980s French Trouser Pant Suits
- 1980s Valentino Midi Skirt Suit with Red Jacket and Velvet DetailsBy ValentinoLocated in Toronto, Ontario1980s Valentino midi skirt suit with velvet details. The collarless jacket is made of a horizontally ribbed red fabric with two front pockets on t...Category
1980s Italian Skirt Suits
- 1960s Nina Ricci Black Cloque Silk EnsembleBy Nina RicciLocated in Toronto, OntarioElegant 1960's Nina Ricci cloque (blister effect) silk dress and matching jacket with cream colored silk lining. The darling dress has a fitted bodice with an empire waist. It is the...Category
1960s French Dress and Coat Ensembles
$840 Sale Price30% Off - 1970s Celine Black Wool Cardigan and Gabardine Skirt EnsembleBy CelineLocated in Toronto, OntarioClassic and timeless Celine 100% wool black cardigan and gabardine skirt ensemble from the 1970's. The set features a cable knit and waffle v neck cardigan with gold tone metal accen...Category
1970s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- 1960s Chanel Haute Couture Magenta and Green Dress and Jacket EnsembleBy ChanelLocated in Toronto, OntarioAbsolutely stunning and vibrant magenta and green tweed Chanel Haute Couture dress and jacket ensemble from the 1960s. The collarless open jacket has a magenta silk scarf detail wove...Category
1960s French Dress and Coat Ensembles
- John Galliano white broderie anglaise cotton skirt suit, ss 1996By John GallianoLocated in London, GBJohn Galliano white broderie anglaise cotton skirt suit comprising: fitted blazer jacket with hidden front button fastenings, notched lapel and acc...Category
1990s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Mila Schon pink vichy skirt-suitBy Mila SchonLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRpink vichy skirt-suitCategory
1980s Italian Skirt Suits
- White cotton poppies printed shirt and skirt ensemble Saint Laurent Rive GaucheBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive GaucheLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRWhite cotton poppies printed shirt and skirt ensemble. Ruffles around the neck SIZE 40 (S)Category
1970s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Asymmetrical ivory skirt-suit with red details and red skirt Thierry MuglerBy Thierry MuglerLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRIvory skirt-suit with red details and red skirt. Fabric composition: 50% acetate, 50% rayon. Shoulder-pad. Cut-work. Snap in the middle front covered with red plastic cabochon. One P...Category
1990s French Skirt Suits
- Top and skirt in white jersey and printed cotton, buttoned front La Perla SportBy La PerlaLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRTop and skirt in white jersey and printed cotton, buttoned front. Mother of shell's buttons. No lining. SIZE SCategory
1970s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Grey, ivory and blue skirt-suit in tweed Chanel Haute-Couture Circa 1970'sBy ChanelLocated in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FRGrey, ivory and blue skirt-suit in tweed. Fabric composition: wool. Silk lining ( original inside the jacket and more recent inside the skirt) Metal and tweed button. Half-belt. Vert...Category
1970s French Skirt Suits
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.