1980s Chanel Black Leather Quilted Medium Tote with Chain Handles
View Similar Items
1980s Chanel Black Leather Quilted Medium Tote with Chain Handles
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Width: 9 in (22.86 cm)Depth: 3 in (7.62 cm)Length: 10 in (25.4 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Full restoration was completed by The Leather Surgeons in 2021.
- Seller Location:Toronto, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU228212277982
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 Celine Reptile Patterned Shoulder Trio Bag/ClutchBy CelineLocated in Toronto, OntarioThe original Celine trio bag! 1970s Celine brown reptile patterned front closure bag. Front features gold tone tube style lock with the classic Celine horse...Category
1970s French Structured Shoulder Bags
- 1980s Judith Leiber Luxe Patchwork ClutchBy Judith LeiberLocated in Toronto, OntarioKnown for her exquisite use of exotic skins, this 1980s patchwork multi-skin brown and black geometric over-sized clutch with punch clasp by Leiber is a must have. The clutch has a f...Category
1980s American Clutches
- 1990s Chanel Black Lambskin Leather Chevron Large Camera BagBy ChanelLocated in Toronto, OntarioChanel large camera bag from the 1990s. Supple black lambskin leather in chevron pattern with single exterior slit pocket. Black leather double top handles with are connected in one ...Category
1990s French Structured Shoulder Bags
- 1990s Bottega Veneta Black Quilted Satin BagBy Bottega VenetaLocated in Toronto, OntarioLovely Bottega Veneta mailbag from the 1990s. Black quilted satin with black top stitching. Demi lune shape with two black pom poms. Black satin interior. The long, thin black strap ...Category
1990s Italian Shoulder Bags
- 1970s Hermes 'Mephisto" Brown Leather Bag/ClutchBy HermèsLocated in Toronto, OntarioVery early 1970s Hermes bag. Butter soft chocolate brown leather with warm gold hardware. Total brown top stitching. Shoulder/cross body strap can be ...Category
1970s French Shoulder Bags
- 1980s Phillippe Model Paris Brown and Gold Embroidered Suede Mini BagLocated in Toronto, OntarioVery unique and interesting Phillippe Model frame style bag from the 1980s. The bag is small, but packed with so much intricate detail. Dark brown suede with abstract twisted gold rope and gold thread embroidery on the front. The top features substantial gold tone metal...Category
1980s Italian Shoulder Bags
- Judith Leiber Vintage Silk Crystals Flap 2-Way Clutch Shoulder Tassel BagBy Judith LeiberLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLThe ultimate in handbag making luxury craftsmanship. The Iconic House of Judith Leiber always provides us with timeless and classic pieces. This beautiful bag takes timeless creation...Category
1990s Italian Shoulder Bags
- Chanel Caviar Executive Shopper Tote BrownBy ChanelLocated in Palm Beach, FLBrown, copper, and iridescent CHANEL Caviar Executive Shopping Tote. This traditional shopper tote is classy and stylish despite its simplicity. The bag is made from textured leather...Category
2010s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
- Chanel Chocolate Bar CC Quilted LeatherBy ChanelLocated in Palm Beach, FLThis chocolate bar bag is crafted from black leather with Chanel's signature square stitching and has an adjustable leather shoulder strap, protective base studs, a CC logo stitch in...Category
Early 2000s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
- Louis Vuitton Monogram Multicolor Speedy 30 BlackBy Louis VuittonLocated in Palm Beach, FLOn black toile canvas, this Speedy bag has the Louis Vuitton Multicolore logo in 33 vibrant hues. This handbag has rolling handles made of vachetta cowhide leather and polished brass...Category
Early 2000s French Structured Shoulder Bags
- Chanel Vintage Black Quilted Shoulder bagBy ChanelLocated in Palm Beach, FLChanel antique black leather shoulder bag with quilting and gold hardware. The two pockets are both functional and original. It has an inside zip...Category
1990s Italian Shoulder Bags
- Chanel 90's Black Iconic Bucket BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel 90's Black Iconic Bucket Bag Color: black, gold Condition: Very Good; minor fading on hardware. please refer to photos. Dimensions: 9" L x 8.5" W ER...Category
1990s French Bucket Bags and Drawstring Bags
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.