Chanel Chinchilla Flap Bag from 2003/2004
View Similar Items
Chanel Chinchilla Flap Bag from 2003/2004
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.
- Bottega Veneta Limited Edition Chain Handle BagBy Bottega VenetaLocated in Los Angeles, CABottega Veneta Limited Edition Chain Handle Bag Description Limited Edition chain handle bag by Bottega Veneta No. 125/150 — 150 total made Framed black velvet Intrecciato shapes on ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoulder Bags
- Chanel Vintage Jersey Quilted Flap Bag (1990s)By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for ChanelLocated in Los Angeles, CAChanel Vintage Jersey Quilted Flap Bag Vintage; circa 1990s Black Gold-tone hardware Diamond quilted Flap front Chain strap Interlocking CC fron...Category
1990s French Shoulder Bags
- Gucci GG Monogram Canvas Messenger Bag (Tom Ford)By Gucci, Tom Ford for GucciLocated in Los Angeles, CAGucci by Tom Ford Messenger Bag Made in Italy Classic tan canvas with iconic interlocked GG pattern Light brown leather detailing Gold hardwa...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Shoulder Bags
- Hermes Helena Sac in Tobacco Leather and Toile CanvasBy HermèsLocated in Los Angeles, CAMessenger bag by Hermes Large zipper compartment with smaller front zipper compartment Adjustable shoulder strap Dimensions: 14" x 13" x 7" Condition: Great with some minor wear to...Category
Late 20th Century Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
$800 Sale Price50% Off - Chanel Vintage Sequin BagBy Chanel, Chanel BoutiqueLocated in Los Angeles, CAVintage sequin bag by Chanel Boutique Iridescent sequins (pink, yellow, green) on front Square shape Two chain straps Inner zipper pocket Ivory back...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Shoulder Bags
- Hermès 2006 Chocolate Brown Clemence Palladium Hardware Birkin 35By HermèsLocated in Los Angeles, CAHermès 2006 Chocolate Brown Clemence Palladium Hardware Birkin 35 2006; J Stamp (square) Chocolate Brown Clemence leather Palladium hardware Two rolled top handles Flap top Twist-lo...Category
Early 2000s French Shoulder Bags
- Chanel 22 Mini Shiny Calfskin BagBy ChanelLocated in London, GBA lovely Chanel 22 Mini Bag. The exterior is crafted in quilted black shiny calfskin leather with gold-tone hardware. It features a gold tone logo in the front, a dangling CC logo me...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Bucket Bags and Drawstring Bags
- Hermès Cabas H En Biais 27 Black And Ecru Swift CanvasBy HermèsLocated in London, GBA lovely Hermès Cabas 27 handbag. The exterior of this Cabas bag is crafted in black and ecru canvas and features a "H" design. Features a trim, handles and s...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
- GUCCI Black GG Guccissima Studded Pelham BagBy GucciLocated in Genève, CHGucci Studded Pelham Black Tote features a chic design with gorgeous pleated and studded details on gorgeous and supple Gucci monogram embossed leather. The bag features studs on th...Category
2010s Italian Hobo Bags
- Chanel Brand New Black Quilted Hard Case Compact Vanity Crossbody BagBy ChanelLocated in Pasadena, CAChanel Brand New Black Quilted Hard Case Compact Vanity Crossbody Bag *Marked 3208XXXX *Made in France *Comes with the original box, pouch, contr...Category
2010s French Structured Shoulder Bags
- Chanel Classic 1990s Double Flap BagBy ChanelLocated in Frankfurt am Main, DEThe Chanel Classic Double Flap Bag is a true masterpiece of craftsmanship and a symbol of the timeless luxury of the Chanel brand. This bag, made from first-class calfskin in a deep ...Category
1990s French Structured Shoulder Bags
- Chanel Black Tweed Large 19 FlapBy ChanelLocated in Miami Beach, FLChanel Black Tweed Large This is an authentic Chanel large 19. Black tweed exterior with large quilting and front flap. Woven leather chain CC turn clasp. Large spacious pocket in ...Category
2010s Structured Shoulder 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.