Chanel Slate Grey Caviar Leather Tote
View Similar Items
Chanel Slate Grey Caviar Leather Tote
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.
- Chanel Slate Grey Caviar ToteBy ChanelLocated in Palm Beach, FLThis authentic Chanel Slate Grey Caviar Tote is in good previously owned condition. Perfect for everyday use, this understated chic tote is certain to bec...Category
2010s European Tote Bags
- Hermes Black and White Striped Canvas Tote with pochetteBy HermèsLocated in Palm Beach, FLHermes Black and White Striped Canvas Tote- PRISTINE The cheerful summertime carryall is accompanied by a coordinating black canvas case. Black ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Tote Bags
- Chanel Black Caviar Leather ToteBy ChanelLocated in Palm Beach, FLThis authentic Chanel Black Caviar Leather Tote is in excellent condition. Classic Chanel design in durable textured black Caviar leather. Quilte...Category
2010s European Tote Bags
- Chanel Black and Grey Quilted Leather Bucket ToteBy ChanelLocated in Palm Beach, FLThis authentic Chanel Black Quilted Leather Bucket Tote is in excellent condition. Simply designed, this classic piece is perfect for daily enjoyment. Black leather is quilted in s...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Tote Bags
- Chanel Slate Topstitched Distressed Leather Large ToteBy ChanelLocated in Palm Beach, FLThis authentic Chanel Slate Topstitched Distressed Leather Large Tote is in pristine condition. Internationally distressed dark slate leather is topstitched in signature Chanel diam...Category
21st Century and Contemporary European Tote Bags
- Chanel Vintage Dark Green Crocodile Tote BriefcaseBy ChanelLocated in Palm Beach, FLThis authentic Chanel Dark Green Crocodile Tote Briefcase is in excellent condition. Very rare, Chanel no longer produces exotics. This is an exceptio...Category
Late 20th Century European Briefcases and Attachés
- Celine Micro Luggage Handbag in Black Smooth CalfskinBy CelineLocated in Scottsdale, AZMicro Luggage Handbag in smooth Calfskin with leather handles, a single zip closure, and a zipped outer pocket on the front. Retail price is $3,150. Brand: Celine Material: Calfskin...Category
2010s Italian Tote Bags
- Louis Vuitton Monogram Giant Reverse Canvas Onthego GM ToteBy Louis VuittonLocated in Scottsdale, AZFashioned from Monogram Giant canvas, the On The Go tote bag is as striking as it is practical. A Monogram Reverse pattern on the sides and handles creates a stylish contrast in colo...Category
2010s American Tote Bags
- Marc Jacobs black Nylon Beaded Tropical Chappy Bird ToteBy Marc JacobsLocated in Philadelphia, PAMarc Jacobs black Nylon Beaded Tropical Chappy Bird Tote in excellent condition. Black nylon exterior trimmed with a multicolor beaded parrot on the front side, ribbon tied sides, bl...Category
Early 2000s Tote Bags
- Louis Vuitton Aurore Monogram Olympe MM Tote (2012)By Louis VuittonLocated in Montreal, QuebecThis newer style tote bag from Louis Vuitton is called Olympe and this bag is made with monogram coated canvas with supple Aurore burgundy colored calf leather finishes. The bag feat...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Tote Bags
- Fendi Vintage Black Canvas Zucchiano XL Mono Tote BagBy FendiLocated in Montreal, QuebecThis bag is made with black canvas with Fendi Zucchiano pattern throughout. Featuring leather trim, dual rolled leather handles, top zip closure, leather with logo interior lining an...Category
1990s Tote Bags
- Saint Laurent Canvas Sac Monogram Sequence Tote BagBy Saint LaurentLocated in Montreal, QuebecThe tote bag features a canvas body with decorative logo sequence embroidery on the front, flat straps with leather details, drawstring and snap closure a...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Tote Bags
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
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.
This Vintage Chanel Fur Muff Is Après-Ski Chic
It might not be as practical as a pair of mittens, but for something that looks this good, practicality really doesn't matter.