1960s Chanel Haute Couture Shocking Pink and Purple Boucle Suit
About the Item
- Designer:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Toronto, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU22826604302
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. The 1957 two-tone slingback pumps had a practical heel height while offering a bold statement in the black tip of the shoes. 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.
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. His collections for Chanel displayed his knack for synthesizing old and new, high and low. Lagerfeld revived Chanel ballet flats and thoroughly embraced the classic logo's interlocking CCs, which took the form of a clasp featured on so many of the rare Chanel bags that are much sought after today.
Vintage Karl Lagerfeld designs for Chanel dresses, coats and other clothing of the 1980s, '90s and 2000s riffed on its iconography, accenting a lexicon of Chanel-isms with tastes of the moment. And as the 1990s have become associated with styles adopted by today’s supermodels and influencers, vintage Chanel bags of the 1990s are among the most prized of the brand’s offerings.
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: Toronto, Canada
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
- 1980s Yves Saint Laurent Khaki Wool Skirt SuitBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Toronto, Ontario1980s Yves Saint Laurent Rive Gauche khaki wool skirt suit. Jacket features shoulder pads that create a strong, statement shape. Jacket is slightly asymmetric with two middle and low...Category
1980s French Skirt Suits
- 1960's Ulrique Cream Coat & Dress EnsembleLocated in Toronto, OntarioBeautiful coat, dress ensemble from the 1960's designed by the French label Ulrique. All three pieces are cut from a monochromatic white wool brocade. The coat features bracelet leng...Category
1960s French Dress and Coat Ensembles
- 1980s Galanos Aqua and Burgundy Floral Top, Beaded Skirt and Scarf EnsembleBy GalanosLocated in Toronto, Ontario1980s Galanos blouse, skirt and scarf ensemble. Blue silk chiffon blouse with all over burgundy florals that look like they were painted with watercolour paint. Hand smocking at shou...Category
1980s American Skirt Suits
- 1990s Christian Lacroix Tweed Suit With EmbroideryBy Christian Lacroix, Christian Lacroix ParisLocated in Toronto, Ontario1990s Christian Lacroix tweed skirt suit with pastel floral embroidery. The long jacket is flattering and hugs the body with U shaped pockets on the hips...Category
1990s French Skirt Suits
- 1960's Anonymous Bonded Wool Glen Check Dress and Coat SetLocated in Toronto, OntarioThis uber chic Italian black and white hounds tooth ensemble dates from the 1960's. 7/8th length A-line coat is collared and double breasted. Four patch pockets detailed with a singl...Category
1960s Italian Dress and Coat Ensembles
- 1960's Anonymous Windowpane Dress and Jacket SetLocated in Toronto, OntarioChic 1960's grey windowpane wool dress and jacket duo features a sleeveless band neck dress with two vertical slit pockets at the waist and a box pleated drop waist skirt...Category
1960s Unknown Dress and Coat Ensembles
- Vivienne Westwood Red Label archival 90s ruffle corset Trousers Ensemble SetBy RED LABEL by VIVIENNE WESTWOODLocated in Berlin, DEArchival 1990s Vivienne Westwood Red Label archival 90s floral ruffle corset and Trousers set co ord Floral, button front, frill sleeve outrageous As s...Category
1990s Twin Sets
- Dolce & Gabbana leaf print silk chiffon blouse and pants set, ss 1997By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GB▪ Dolce & Gabbana green leaf print pant suit ▪ 100% Silk ▪ Button-up short sleeve blouse ▪ Nude flared pants ▪ IT 42 - UK 10 - US 6 ▪ Spring-Summer 1997Category
1990s Italian Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- 60s Emma Domb Mint Green Dress and Evening Coat SetBy Emma DombLocated in San Francisco, CA60s Emma Domb Mint Green Dress and Evening Coat Set. Snap front closures on coat. Fully lined.Category
1960s Dress and Coat Ensembles
- 1970S Floral Rayon Chiffon Blouse & Pant EnsembleLocated in New York, NY1970S Floral Rayon Chiffon Blouse & Pant EnsembleCategory
1970s Twin Sets
- Antony Price white lace bustled skirt suit, ss 1989By Antony PriceLocated in London, GBAntony Price white lace bustled skirt suit. Spring-Summer 1989Category
1990s British Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Gianni Versace Versus Vintage White Jacket & Skirt Ensemble with Western DetailsBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Nice, FRGIANNI VERSACE VERSUS vintage 1990s white jacket and skirt ensemble featuring Western details. The jacket features : - White cotton with black stitchin...Category
20th Century Italian Skirt Suits
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.