Chanel Vintage Silk Kelly Top Handle Bag
About the Item
- Designer:
- Dimensions:Height: 14 in (35.56 cm)Width: 20 in (50.8 cm)Depth: 7 in (17.78 cm)
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:Seller: CSSR74971stDibs: LU33620591152
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Chanel Black Lambskin Quilted Mini KellyBy ChanelLocated in London, GBA true '90s icon, this minimalist mini is a must-have in any Chanel collectors collection. Crafted from black lambskin quilted leather, this rare and versatile pre-owned vintage Mini...Category
1990s Top Handle Bags
- Prada Black and Orange Nylon pouchBy PradaLocated in London, GBPerfectly sized to fit your makeup collection or for weekends away. This pre-owned Prada cosmetic pouch has been designed from black nylon and fea...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
- Hermes Kelly 32 Toile RougeBy HermèsLocated in London, GBThis Hermès Kelly 32 Sellier is an old time favourite. Meticulously made entirely by hand from natural Toile it is lined with evenly-grained Courchevel ...Category
20th Century French Top Handle Bags
- Special Order Tri-colour Togo Kelly Retourne 35cmBy HermèsLocated in London, GBThe pinnacle of luxury, this pre-owned 2014 Hermès Tri-colour Kelly 35 special order bag has been expertly crafted from Togo leather - a favoured Hermès hide for its texture and dur...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
- Hermes Kelly Sylvestre Mauve 25By HermèsLocated in London, GBA true testament to the quality of the house's craftsmanship, this pre-owned Hermes Kelly 25 excludes timeless style and elegance. Crafted from smooth Veau Swift Leather in Mauve Sylvestre this piece is a sophisticated statement perfect for styling with a summer look. Finished with gold-tone hardware, this bag features the classic twist-lock fastening and the signature Kelly bag strap...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Top Handle Bags
- Hermès Clemence Leather 34cm LindyBy HermèsLocated in London, GBThis Hermès 34cm Lindy bag, first released in Spring/Summer 2007 show, features two different versions of shoulder straps and two exterior slip pockets. It o...Category
2010s Top Handle Bags
- Hermes Birkin 35 Black Vache Liegée leather with Gold HardwareBy HermèsLocated in London, GBHermes Birkin 35 Black Vache Liegée leather with Gold Hardware This Hermes Birkin 35 is crafted from Black Vache Liegée leather and finished with gold hardware, giving it an instan...Category
15th Century and Earlier Top Handle Bags
- HERMES Escapade Black Chevre Leather Palladium Hardware HandbagBy HermèsLocated in Holland, PAHERMES BLACK CHEVRE LEATHER ESCAPADE HANDBAG *Please note, color may not be fully representative of handbag based on monitor and lighting. This handbag is black. This bag is in A-, excellent condition. Features chevre leather exterior and smooth interior. Slit pocket interior. Exterior: Peeling slightly on one corner. Interior: Slight smoke smell. Stamps: We cannot find the stamp but button is stamped Hermes with Hermes Made in France stamps...Category
1990s French Top Handle Bags
- Hermes Kelly 28 Sellier Box Leather Black with Gold HardwareBy HermèsLocated in Houma, LAThis sought-after 28cm Hèrmes Kelly is constructed of Black Box leather, noted for being slightly shiny and smooth. The Kelly Sellier has a classic s...Category
1990s French Top Handle Bags
- Hermés Rouge Sellier 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 said, it is the most iconic and desired ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
- Luxury Black Matte Authentic Crocodile Leather HandbagLocated in Newport Coast, CALuxurious Matte Black Authentic Crocodile Handbag! A Stunning bag Matte Black Authentic Crocodile Designer Handbag signed c..R.I. Interior has a large zippered pocket, a small ce...Category
Early 2000s Central Asian Top Handle Bags
- Hermès Kelly 32 Vert de Gris Togo Gold HardwareBy HermèsLocated in Berlin, DEHermès Kelly 32 in vert de gris and togo leather with gold hardware. The bag is unworn and comes as full set including the original receipt. Stamp Y (2020)Category
2010s 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.