1990s CHANEL Black Calf Leather Jumbo Chain Tote Bag
View Similar Items
1990s CHANEL Black Calf Leather Jumbo Chain Tote Bag
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.
- PRADA Camouflage Tessuto Two-Way Tote Bag Navy BlueBy PradaLocated in Bangkok, THThis PRADA two-way tote bag is crafted of camouflage polyester in navy/blue and Saffiano leather. This light-weight tote bag features matte black hardware with Saffiano leather handl...Category
Early 2000s Italian Tote Bags
$716 Sale Price20% Off - 2014 CHANEL Caviar and Calfskin Leather Two-Way Tote Bag XL BlackBy ChanelLocated in Bangkok, THThis CHANEL XL two-way chain tote is crafted of calfskin and caviar calfskin leather in black featuring sliver toned hardware. Wide top opens to a spacious compartment featuring patc...Category
2010s Italian Tote Bags
$3,160 Sale Price20% Off - Vintage PRADA Black Tessuto Book Tote BagBy PradaLocated in Bangkok, THThis vintage PRADA book tote bag is crafted of black Tessuto polyester fabric. This minimalist chic Prada book tote features two front pockets with Vel...Category
1990s Italian Tote Bags
$556 Sale Price20% Off - 2009 CHANEL Calfskin Leather Mini Shopper Tote Bag BlackBy ChanelLocated in Bangkok, THThis stylish Chanel mini shopper tote bag is crafted of calfskin leather in black with letters CHANEL in white fabric sewn on the front. Karl Lagerfe...Category
Early 2000s Italian Tote Bags
$2,556 Sale Price20% Off - Vintage GUCCI Diana Tote Bamboo Tote Bag Leather Chocolate Brown (Medium)By GucciLocated in Bangkok, THThis vintage GUCCI Diana bamboo tote is crafted of pigskin’s leather in chocolate brown. Top magnetic snap closure opens to luxurious nubuck leather interior featuring two main compa...Category
1990s Italian Tote Bags
$796 Sale Price20% Off - 1990s Vintage GUCCI Diana Tote Bamboo Tote Bag Leather Graphite (Medium)By GucciLocated in Bangkok, THThis vintage GUCCI Diana bamboo tote is crafted of pigskin leather in graphite. Top magnetic snap closure opens to luxurious nubuck interior featuring two main compartments/one zip c...Category
1990s Italian Tote Bags
$876 Sale Price20% Off
- Chanel Black Patent ToteLocated in New York, NYLength: 12 Inches Height: 9.75 Inches Material: Patent LeatherCategory
1990s Tote Bags
$1,450 - Chanel Vintage Lambskin Maxi JumboBy ChanelLocated in London, GBChanel Vintage Lambskin Maxi Jumbo This Chanel Vintage Lambskin Maxi Jumbo is a classic and timeless piece that is sure to add a touch of luxury to a...Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Tote Bags
- Chanel Taupe Tote BagBy ChanelLocated in London, GBChanel Taupe Tote Bag Condition: Good Condition Colour: Taupe Box: No Dust bag: No Size: 32 x 20 x 13 cm - Drop 47cm Material: Caviar Calf Leather , Gold Hardware This Chanel t...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Tote Bags
$2,071 - Bottega Veneta Black Padded Cabat XL Tote BagBy Bottega VenetaLocated in Queens Village, NY- Bottega Veneta Black Padded Cabat (Lambskin) limited edition - Brand New never used from 2019 collection - Includes key fob and cosmetic case - Large Tote that can be carried for d...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Tote Bags
- Chanel Metallic Python Suede Bowler Tote BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami Beach, FLChanel Metallic Python Suede Bowler Tote Bag This is an Authentic Chanel Bicolor Python and suede bowler bag. Metallic gold painted snakeskin with black suede. Two woven chain strap...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Tote Bags
- Chloe Black Patent Leather Audra ToteBy ChloéLocated in Dubai, Al Qouz 2This Chloe handbag in patent black leather is a must-have. It features contrasting leather trims and front & back patch pockets. The strap bears leather pyramid detailing...Category
2010s Italian Tote 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.