Chanel Two Tone Top Handle Bag, 1990s
View Similar Items
Chanel Two Tone Top Handle Bag, 1990s
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.
- Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton Orient Monogram Empreinte Leather Lumineuse PM BagBy Louis VuittonLocated in Scottsdale, AZThis red leather Louis Vuitton tote is the perfect every day handbag! From Marc Jacobs's 2012 Louis Vuitton collection, gorgeous cherry red c...Category
2010s French Top Handle Bags
- Givenchy 2011 Antigona Mini Python BagBy GivenchyLocated in Scottsdale, AZAdd some color to your looks with this amazing Givenchy Antigona bag! Circa 2011, this rare bag is beautifully crafted from laminated python and finished in vibrant hot pink. Feature...Category
2010s Italian Shoulder Bags
- Lulu Guinness Face Motif Raffia Woven BasketBy Lulu GuinessLocated in Scottsdale, AZElevate your style with this Lulu Guinness Face Motif Raffia Woven Basket circa 1990s! This adorable mini top handle handbag is a true fashion gem, featuring an eye-catching face mot...Category
1990s Chinese Top Handle Bags
- Moschino Orange Top Handle Leather HandbagBy MoschinoLocated in Scottsdale, AZIntroducing the Moschino Orange Top Handle Leather Handbag – a fashion statement that combines bold style with practicality. Unleash your inn...Category
Early 2000s Italian Top Handle Bags
- Chanel 2022 Medium 19 Flap Bag RedBy ChanelLocated in Scottsdale, AZIntroducing the Authentic Chanel 2022 Medium 19 Flap Bag in Red - a timeless blend of elegance and versatility! Elevate your style with the Chanel 2022 Medium 19 Flap Bag in Red, a luxurious and authentic masterpiece that beautifully combines the iconic Chanel quilted lambskin leather with stylish gold and ruthenium hardware. This bag is an authentic Chanel piece, crafted with the brand's signature attention to detail and high-quality materials, ensuring that you're making a stylish and enduring investment. The classic red lambskin leather, signature Chanel quilted pattern, and gold-tone Chanel CC embellishment on the flap create a look that's both elegant and timeless. It's a statement piece that will never go out of style. The leather-threaded aged gold and ruthenium chain-link shoulder strap with a shoulder pad allows you to wear this bag in multiple ways, making it versatile for various occasions and styles. The bag's interior features a red leather and fabric lining with a zipper pocket, providing both beauty and functionality. It's the perfect size to carry your essentials while keeping you organized. The contrasting gold and silver-tone chain hardware adds a unique and eye-catching finishing touch. This detail sets the bag apart and makes it a truly standout accessory. The vibrant red color of this bag is captivating and adds a pop of excitement to your outfit. It's a versatile shade that complements a wide range of styles. Style this with a Pucci dress, a Missoni hat...Category
2010s French Top Handle Bags
- 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
- 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
- Lana Marks Red Crocodile Wood Handle HandbagBy Lana MarksLocated in Philadelphia, PALana Marks Red Crocodile Wood Handle Handbag in excellent condition. Red crocodile skin exterior trimmed with gold hardware and two top...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
- Hermés Retourne Geranium Kelly 28cmBy HermèsLocated in New York, NYThe Hermés Kelly bag embodies the quintessence of style and luxury due to its impeccable design, craftsmanship, and significance. That being said,...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
- Hermés Orange Poppy Birkin 25cmBy HermèsLocated in New York, NYThe Hermés Birkin bag embodies the quintessence of style and luxury due to its impeccable design, craftsmanship, and significance. That being sai...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
- Hermés Retourne Capucine Kelly 28cmBy HermèsLocated in New York, NYThe Hermés Kelly bag embodies the quintessence of style and luxury due to its impeccable design, craftsmanship, and significance. That being said,...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
- Hermés Framboise Kelly 25cmBy HermèsLocated in New York, NYThe Hermés Kelly bag embodies the quintessence of style and luxury due to its impeccable design, craftsmanship, and significance. That being said,...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
$35,000
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.