1980s Chanel Black Quilted Lambskin Vanity Cosmetic Train Case
View Similar Items
1980s Chanel Black Quilted Lambskin Vanity Cosmetic Train Case
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, 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.
- Christian Dior Wicker Oblique Mini Lady Dior Bag Florescent BlueBy Christian DiorLocated in Scottsdale, AZIntroducing the Christian Dior Wicker Oblique Mini Lady Dior Bag in Florescent Blue – a small yet stunning accessory that effortlessly blends sop...Category
2010s Italian Top Handle Bags
- Saint Laurent Calfskin Crocodile Embossed Baby Sac De Jour NudeBy Saint LaurentLocated in Scottsdale, AZIntroducing the Saint Laurent Calfskin Crocodile Embossed Baby Sac De Jour in the elegant nude shade - a sophisticated and versatile piece that complements any outfit in your wardrob...Category
2010s Italian Top Handle Bags
- Chanel Pink Python Jumbo Double Flap HandbagBy ChanelLocated in Scottsdale, AZIntroducing a collector's dream: the Chanel Pink Python Jumbo Double Flap Classic Bag. This exquisite piece of art is no longer in production, making it a highly sought-after and inc...Category
2010s French Top Handle Bags
- Chanel Lambskin Quilted Medium 19 Flap Bag BlueBy ChanelLocated in Scottsdale, AZElevate your style with the Chanel Lambskin Quilted Medium 19 Flap Bag in Blue, an authentic masterpiece that seamlessly combines Chanel's signature quilted lambskin leather with sty...Category
2010s French Top Handle Bags
- 1999 Moschino Couture! Polkadot Shopper BagBy MoschinoLocated in Scottsdale, AZAdorable 1990s Moschino Couture! mini shopper bag! Black and white polkadot printed cloth exterior with creamy tan leather trim and handles. Bold "Moschino" letters on the handle in ...Category
1990s Italian Top Handle Bags
- 1980s Bottega Veneta Rectangular HandbagBy Bottega VenetaLocated in Scottsdale, AZThis Bottega Veneta bag comes to you in a soft cream colored leather. Unique rectangular silhouette- slightly oversized. Structured top handle and magnetic clasp closure. Suede inter...Category
1980s Italian Top Handle Bags
- Pablo Picasso Vintage Bi Color Kelly Flap BagBy Pablo PicassoLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLThe Vintage Kelly Flap style bag from Pablo Picassi is one of the famed luxury goods house's most coveted and exclusive items. This flap bag is made of blac...Category
1980s Italian Top Handle Bags
- NEW LOUIS VUITTON Rare Fuchsia Runway Cartoon Art Firebird Limited Edition BagBy Louis VuittonLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLThe extremely rare LOUIS VUITTON Fuchsia Cartoon Firebird, the most luxurious of them all. One of a kind and only a few were released Worldwide in 2008! Cartoon Limited Collection ba...Category
Early 2000s French Top Handle Bags
- Judith Leiber Rare Vintage Alligator Kelly Flap BagBy Judith LeiberLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLThe Vintage Kelly Flap style Alligator bag from Judith Leiber is one of the famed luxury goods house's most coveted and exclusive items. This flap bag is ba...Category
1980s Italian Top Handle Bags
- Hermès Kelly Mini II Tricolore Verso Craie/Mauve Pale/Gold Veau Epsom PHWBy HermèsLocated in London, GBA gorgeous Hermès Kelly Mini II Tricolore Verso handbag. The exterior of this Kelly Mini features Craie, Mauve Pale and Gold Veau Epsom leather and is compl...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
- Rare Hermès Birkin 25cm Gris Caillou Grizzly/ Gris Meyer Swift PHWBy HermèsLocated in London, GBA rare Hermès Birkin 25cm handbag. The Grizzly Birkin is the namesake edition designed to showcase Veau Doblis Suede. The exterior of this Birkin is cra...Category
2010s French Top Handle Bags
- Hermés Kelly Sellier 25cm Vert Verone Veau Epsom GHWBy HermèsLocated in London, GBA gorgeous Hermès 25cm Kelly bag. The exterior of this Kelly features a Sellier style in Vert Verone Veau Epsom leather. The Vert Verone Epsom leather is complemented with gold-tone hardware and tonal stitchings. It features a front toggle closure with two straps, a single rolled handle and a removable shoulder strap. The interior is lined with Vert Verone leather and has one zip pocket with an Hermès engraved...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle 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.