CHANEL black quilted lambskin convertable clutch with chain
View Similar Items
CHANEL black quilted lambskin convertable clutch with chain
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.
- 1990's VALENTINO black textured leather convertible 'envelope' clutch bagBy ValentinoLocated in San Fransisco, CABlack textured leather convertible bag in the shape of an envelope designed by Valentino dating to the 1990's. Strap is completely removable. Gold hardware. Off-white top-stitching. ...Category
1990s American Clutches
- 1990's RENAUD PELLEGRINO textured leather convertible shoulder clutch bagBy Renaud PellegrinoLocated in San Fransisco, CAColor blocked textured leather convertible clutch with exterior pockets designed by Renaud Pellegrino dating to the 1990's. Bag measures approximately 8.875" wide by 7.75" tall and 1...Category
1990s American Clutches
- 1980's CARLOS FALCHI asymmetrical snakeskin patchwork clutch bag with strapBy Carlos FalchiLocated in San Fransisco, CAAsymmetrically shaped snakeskin patchwork clutch with thin concealable leather strap designed by Carlos Falchi dating to the 1980's. One interior pocket. Made in the U.S. Very good c...Category
1980s American Clutches
- 2005 TOM FORD for YVES SAINT LAURENT suede & leather bag with wood beadsBy Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, Tom Ford for Yves Saint LaurentLocated in San Fransisco, CAVery interesting, black suede and leather handbag with brown wooden beading and brass hardware from Yves Saint Laurent dating to the 2005 as designed by Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laure...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoulder Bags
- 1980's BOTTEGA VENETA large grey woven leather bagBy Bottega VenetaLocated in San Fransisco, CAElephant-Grey, woven leather bag from Bottega Veneta dating to the late 1980's. Bag measures approximately 16" tall by 10" wide seam to seam (it's actual wider and taller depending o...Category
1980s Italian Hobo Bags
- 2005 COMME DES GARCONS natural leather bag with hand woven saddle stitchingBy Comme des GarçonsLocated in San Fransisco, CAVery rare untreated natural cowhide leather bag with hand woven saddle stitching details from Comme Des Garcons dating to spring of 2005. Very similar to pieces seen on the runway. B...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Japanese Tote Bags
- Judith Leiber Black Lizard Lion Head ClutchBy Judith LeiberLocated in Philadelphia, PAJudith Leiber Black Lizard Lion Head Clutch in very good condition. Black pleated lizard leather exterior trimmed with gold hardware and unique lion head embossed center detail. Lift...Category
1980s Clutches
- Alexander McQueen Black Leather Faithful Glove ClutchBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2Always pushing the boundaries of creativity and burring the lines between fashion and edge, Alexander McQueen is a brand we cannot help but love. This clutch from the brand is a fun ...Category
2010s Italian Clutches
- Yves Saint Laurent Vintage Black Leather YSL Logo Clutch BagBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Rome, RomeYves Saint Laurent vintage clutch bag, crafted in black leather. It features a flap with magnetic button closure on the front. YSL logo on the front. 1 rear open pocket. Black fabric...Category
1980s French Clutches
- Prada Triangle Leather Clutch Bag BlackBy PradaLocated in Indianapolis, INThe Prada Triangle Leather Clutch Bag in Black is a sleek and modern accessory that effortlessly combines contemporary design with Prada's timeless elegance. Meticulously crafted, th...Category
Early 2000s Italian Clutches
- 1940 Koret Butterfly Flap Boucle Gold Bullion Clutch w Gold Sequin AccentsBy KoretLocated in Gresham, OR1940s Koret gold metal boucle textured bullion clutch with a butterfly shaped flap and spring-back hinged closure. Heavily embellished with gold-tone sequins and beading. Interior is...Category
1940s American Clutches
- 1960's Rosenfeld Royal Blue Satin Evening bag with JewelsBy Harry RosenfeldLocated in Toronto, OntarioBrighten up any black evening or cocktail dress with this 1960's Rosenfeld royal blue satin evening convertible clutch. Gold tone hard case clasp embedded with faux emeralds and sapp...Category
1960s American Evening Bags and Minaudières
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.