1980s Chanel White Lizard Skin Half Moon Long Tassel Clutch Bag Rare
View Similar Items
1980s Chanel White Lizard Skin Half Moon Long Tassel Clutch Bag Rare
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.
- Rare Carlos Falchi Multi-Skins Multi-Color Large Shoulder Bag & ClutchBy Carlos FalchiLocated in New York, NYThis wonderfully rare Carlos Falchi large shoulder bag with the option to wear use as a clutch is combined with multi-skins of snakeskin, lizard skin and pylon skins as well ...Category
1980s American Shoulder Bags
$885 Sale Price46% Off - Fendi By The Way Mini Embellished Leather Cross-body BagBy FendiLocated in Krakow, PLFendi calfskin satchel with silvertone hardware. Crystal "tail" zip closure extends down one side. Tote handles with studs; 2" drop. Detachable shoulder strap; Hanging covered ke...Category
2010s Shoulder Bags
- Gucci Vintage Navy Leather Clutch - GHW - Circa 1950'sBy GucciLocated in West Palm Beach, FLGucci Vintage Navy Leather Clutch - GHW - Circa 1950's. The beautiful vintage clutch is in excellent vintage condition. It features a gold circular clasp and a blue jewel at center...Category
1950s Italian Clutches
- Unusual Delill Beaded Filigree ClutchLocated in New York, NYUnusual clutch of silvery taupe brocade with applied bronze and enamel metal filigrees with copper, taupe and gold seed beads in a wave pattern. There are also tiny gold chain decora...Category
1980s Philippine Clutches
- Carlos Falchi Blue Crocodile Patchwork ClutchBy Carlos FalchiLocated in Philadelphia, PAThis simply stunning Carlos Falchi clutch is a must have for any collector’s wardrobe. The exterior is in beautiful condition featuring patch work...Category
1990s Italian Clutches
- Gilli Bakelite evening purseLocated in New York, NYGilli Bakelite evening purse measures 6 3/4" in length, 4" in width and 1 1/4" in height. gold hardware and hinges. mirror attached to interior of lid.Category
1950s American Clutches
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.