Chanel Black Silk Dress
View Similar Items
Chanel Black Silk Dress
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 35 in (88.9 cm)Marked Size: 38 (EU)Waist: 16 in (40.64 cm)Hip: 17 in (43.18 cm)
- Style:Sheath (In the Style Of)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Archival Catwalk Designer Vintage.
- Seller Location:Los Angeles, CA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU73433755163
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.
- 1930's Burgundy Velvet Dress with Rabbit Fur Trimmed SleevesLocated in Los Angeles, CA1930's Burgundy Velvet Dress with Rabbit Fur Trimmed Sleeves Shoulders: 17" Armpit to armpit: 14" Bust: 16" Waist: 15" Hip: 19.5" Length - Front...Category
1930s Unknown Evening Gowns
- 1990s Karl Lagerfeld Sexy Black High Neck Halter DressBy Karl LagerfeldLocated in Los Angeles, CAKarl Lagerfeld Black Halter High Neck Dress with two front pockets Skirt has back slit. Size Label - 40 Neck opening - Circumference 13 1/2 in. Measured Flat: Bust - 15 in. Front...Category
1990s French Evening Dresses
- Adolfo at Saks Fifth Avenue Black Knit Lattice Dress, 1970sBy Adolfo at Saks Fifth Avenue, AdolfoLocated in Los Angeles, CAAdolfo at Saks Fifth Avenue Black Knit Lattice Dress Lattice front and back Lattice length from neck to end of lattice - 8 in. Size not marked - Measurements consistent with size sma...Category
1970s American Day Dresses
- Zandra Rhodes 1980's Beaded and Sequined JacketBy Zandra RhodesLocated in Los Angeles, CAZandra Rhodes 1980's Beaded and Sequined Jacket *ALL MEASUREMENTS TAKEN FLAT* Beaded Jacket: Shoulder to shoulder - 17 inches Sleeve (shoulder seam to wrist) - 21 inches Armpit to ...Category
1980s English Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Andrea Jovine 1980's Black Fitted Wool Knit DressLocated in Los Angeles, CAAndrea Jovine 1980's Black Fitted Wool Knit Dress with multi-color button details and shoulder pads. In the style of Patrick Kelly. *ALL MEASUREMENTS TA...Category
1980s Unknown Evening Dresses
- Jay Kobrin 1960's Black Matte Jersey Long Dress with Gold Chain NecklineBy MaisonetteLocated in Los Angeles, CAJay Korbin for Maisonette 1960's Black Matte Jersey Long Dress with Gold Chain Neckline and Empire Waistline Measurements : *ALL MEASUREMENTS TAKEN F...Category
1960s Unknown Empire Waist Dresses
- Vicky Tiel Black & White Lace Strapless Dress w/ Beading - 44By Vicky TielLocated in West Palm Beach, FLVicky Tiel Black & White Lace Strapless Dress w/ Beading - 44. This beautiful dress is in excellent condition. It features a gorgeous black lace over a white nylon blend, a built-i...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Evening Dresses
- Vicky Tiel Purple Silk Taffeta Strapless Gown w/ Floral Detail On Back - 42By Vicky TielLocated in West Palm Beach, FLVicky Tiel Purple Silk Taffeta Strapless Gown w/ Organza Floral Detail On Back - 42. This special gown is in excellent condition. This dress features a purple silk taffeta material...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Evening Gowns
- Carolyne Roehm 1980's Black Velvet Dress with Olive Ruffle Bottom - 4By Carolyne RoehmLocated in West Palm Beach, FLCarolyne Roehm 1980's Black Velvet Dress with Olive Ruffle Bottom - 4. This dress is in excellent vintage condition. It is short sleeved and has side ruching with rhinestone buttons ...Category
1980s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Oscar de la Renta Black and Red Silk Chiffon Dress with Lace - 10 - NWTBy Oscar De La RentaLocated in West Palm Beach, FLThis Oscar de la Renta dress is black with a red underlay. It is made of silk chiffon and lace and has a black ribbon around the waist. This dress is in excellent condition and still...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Givenchy Multi Color Silk Organza Floral Halter Dress with Ruffle, Circa 1970sBy GivenchyLocated in West Palm Beach, FLGivenchy Multi Color Silk Organza Floral Halter w/ Ruffle -38 - Circa 70's This magnificent vintage silk organza multi floral print has a point d esprit detail to it as well. It has ...Category
1970s French Summer Dresses
- Vicky Tiel Eggplant Pleated Taffeta and Lace Dress - 46 - 1980'sBy Vicky TielLocated in West Palm Beach, FLThis Vicky Tiel dress is a stunning vintage piece with pleated silk taffeta on the skirt and sleeves. The bodice has lace and the bust has ruched fabric. The dress also has boning on...Category
1980s American Evening Dresses and Gowns
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.