Chanel Airline Lambskin Wallet on a Chain Bag, Spring 2016
View Similar Items
Chanel Airline Lambskin Wallet on a Chain Bag, Spring 2016
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.
- Moschino Redwall Vintage Heart Stud HandbagBy Redwall, MoschinoLocated in Carmel, CAMoschino Redwall 1980's Black Leather Heart Studded Shoulder Purse Heart shaped Moschino leather purse in black featuring gold metal accent studs. Back po...Category
1980s Italian Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- Hermes Paris Leather Notepad, 1996By HermèsLocated in Carmel, CAHermes Paris Leather Notepad: • Navy Blue leather notepad with snap button closures • 1996, made in France. Stamp: “Z” in a circleCategory
1990s French Wallets and Small Accessories
- Lambertson Truex Croc ClutchBy Lambertson TruexLocated in Carmel, CALambertson Truex crocodile clutch in black with a gold-tone top clasp closure. Blue suede leather lining with one zipper pocket. Clutch is in mint cond...Category
21st Century and Contemporary South African Clutches
- YSL Yves Saint Laurent Vintage 1970s Matte Jersey Top/Skirt EnsembleBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Carmel, CAYSL matte jersey set includes: ruched strapless shell, waist tie/scarf, full gathered short skirt. Strapless shell has a zipper and hook-and-eye fastening a...Category
1970s French Skirt Suits
- Giorgio Sant Angelo 1970s Layered Lace DressBy Giorgio di Sant' AngeloLocated in Carmel, CAVery lightweight vintage Giorgio Sant Angelo dress features a square neckline trimmed with black velvet ribbon. Bodice of dress has both black velvet and rust satin ribbon. Lined in ...Category
1970s American Cocktail Dresses
- Pauline Trigere Cut Velvet Silk Chiffon DressBy Pauline TrigèreLocated in Carmel, CAPauline Trigere 2 piece dress is made with a silk chiffon and has pink cut velvet flowers throughout. Slip dress (bottom layer) has spaghetti straps that are adjustable, a side zippe...Category
1970s American Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Chanel 1996 Vintage Woc Wallet On A Chain Black Calfskin Leather Cross Body BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Rare Vintage 90's Black Caviar WOC Wallet on a Chain 1996 {VINTAGE 28 Years} Gold hardware Classic leather interwoven single chain CC Stitched Logo at front Black leather in...Category
1990s Italian Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- Chanel Quilted Lambskin Vintage Fanny Pack Waist Belt Bum Bag, 1990sBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel vintage quilted leather fanny pack features gold hardware. 1991 {Vintage 31 Years} Gold Hardware Blue quilted lambskin leather CC logo medallion charm Zippered closure Waist...Category
1990s Italian Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- Rare Chanel Vintage Black Lambskin Quilted Fanny Pack Waist Belt Bum BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLVintage Chanel square quilted caviar classic flap shaped fanny pack waist bag 2004 {VINTAGE 18 Years} Gold hardware Exterior black lambs...Category
Early 2000s Spanish Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
- Chanel 1995 Vintage Rare Quilted Calfskin Waist Pouch Fanny Pack Belt Bum BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Vintage Quilted Calfskin Waist Pouch Fanny Pack Belt Bum Bag 1995 {VINTAGE 27 Years} Gold hardware Calfskin leather Interwoven classic chain Made...Category
1990s Italian Belt Bags
- Chanel So Black Vintage Rare Waist Bum Belt Bag Fanny PackBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel So Black Rare Vintage Waist Belt Bum Bag Fanny Pack Calfskin Year: 2003 {VINTAGE 19 Years} So Black hardware Black calfskin leather Nylon l...Category
Early 2000s Italian Belt Bags
- Chanel 1994 Vintage Runway Waist Fanny Pack Belt BagBy ChanelLocated in Miami, FLChanel Rare Collectible Vintage Belt Bag Waist Bag 1994 Vintage Gold hardware CC turnlock Dark brown quilted lambskin leather Adjustable hook belt ...Category
1990s French Crossbody Bags and Messenger 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.