
Chanel Cerf Tote Bag XL
View Similar Items
Chanel Cerf Tote Bag XL
About
Details
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:Toronto, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU203193758
About the Designer
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.
- Hermes Silver Breloque Dog Horse H Palladium Bag Charm for Birkin or KellyBy HermèsLocated in New York, NYHermes Silver Breloque Dog Horse H Palladium Bag Charm for Birkin or Kelly Long discontinued and iconic silver bag charm by Hermes. The most darling ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Wallets and Small Accessories
- Hermes So Black Rodeo Leather Charm GM for Birkin KellyBy HermèsLocated in New York, NYGuaranteed Authentic Hermes So Black Rodeo Leather Charm GM for Birkin Kelly Cult favorite Hermes So Black Rodeo Charm is so fabulous and chic! Perfect ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Tech Accessories and Cases
- Hermes Silver Olga Charm Silver for Birkin and Kelly Bag RareBy HermèsLocated in New York, NYHermes Olga Charm Silver for Birkin or Kelly Discontinued and none available in Hermes stores worldwide for many years! A most adorable charm for your Birki...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Wallets and Small Accessories
- Hermes Mini Kelly 20cm Mauve VIP Epsom Shoulder Bag, U Stamp, 2022By HermèsLocated in New York, NYChicjoy is pleased to present this stunning Hermes Mini Kelly 20cm in Mauve VIP Epsom Shoulder Bag, U Stamp, 2022 Just purchased from Hermes store; ba...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Shoulder Bags
- Hermes Mini Kelly 20cm Vert Jade VIP Epsom Gold Shoulder Bag, Z Stamp, 2021By HermèsLocated in New York, NYChicjoy is pleased to present this Hermes Mini Kelly 20cm Vert Jade VIP Epsom Gold Hardware Just purchased from Hermes store; bag bears new 2021 Z Stamp. Brand New in Box. Store Fre...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Shoulder Bags
- Rare Hermès Kelly 32 sellier handbag strap in Navy & Black calfskin leather, GHWBy HermèsLocated in Paris, IDFAmazing& Rare Hermès Kelly 32 sellier handbag strap in Grey and Navy blue box calfskin leather, gold plated metal hardware, simple handle in navy leather, shoulder strap in navy leat...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More

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.

This Vintage Chanel Fur Muff Is Après-Ski Chic
It might not be as practical as a pair of mittens, but for something that looks this good, practicality really doesn't matter.