Chanel Haute Couture ivory lace wedding dress, c. 1960s
About the Item
- Designer:
- Brand:
- Dimensions:Length: 63 in (160.02 cm)Marked Size: N/A refer to measurements (EU)Bust: 34 in (86.36 cm)Waist: 27 in (68.58 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU14029748382
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: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Roberto Cavalli leather trained hourglass motocross biker dress, fw 2003By Roberto CavalliLocated in London, GB▪ Roberto Cavalli hourglass leather maxi dress ▪ Cut and decorated like a motocross biker jacket ▪ Red quilted leather panels at shoulders and hi...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Gianfranco Ferre beige wool column dress, fw 1999By Gianfranco FerréLocated in London, GB▪ Gianfranco Ferre beige wool column dress ▪ Wide funnel neck with halter ▪ High leg slit at center-front ▪ Extra long skirt ▪ Fully lined ▪ IT 42 - FR 38 - UK 10 - US 6 ▪ Fall-Win...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Vivienne Westwood pink floral printed maxi skirt and blouse ensemble, ss 2001By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GBVivienne Westwood pink floral printed ensemble. Maxi skirt and draped blouse with asymmetric cut. Spring-Summer 2001Category
Early 2000s British Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Christian Dior by John Galliano equestrian printed silk scarf dress, ss 2000By John Galliano for Christian Dior, Christian DiorLocated in London, GB▪ Important Christian Dior evening dress ▪ Designed by John Galliano ▪ Equestrian printed silk twill in pink and yellow with an ivory base ▪ Tan leather strap at the neck ▪ Open bac...Category
Early 2000s French Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Alexander McQueen striped cotton and lace dress with pleated skirt, ss 2005By Alexander McQueenLocated in London, GB▪ Alexander McQueen dress ▪ Constructed from a fine cotton-silk fabric in two colour-ways of red, cream and blue stripes ▪ Ivory lace inserts and trim ▪ Low-waisted skirt made up of...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Dolce & Gabbana cream floral silk slip dress and wrap cardigan set, ss 1997By Dolce & GabbanaLocated in London, GB▪ Dolce & Gabbana slip dress and cardigan set ▪ Floral printed silk with cream base ▪ Mid-length slip dress ▪ Cone bra with adjustable shoulder straps ▪ Matching wrap cardigan wit...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- ARNOLD SCAASI Black Velvet Floral Design Gown with Satin Tiered Skirt Size 12-14By Arnold ScassiLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis Arnold Scaasi Couture gown is composed of a black velvet bodice fabricated from floral cut-outs and an off white tiered silk satin skirt. The gown has an off the shoulder style...Category
20th Century American Evening Gowns
- 1960s Dynasty Chevron Sequined Shift DressBy DynastyLocated in London, GBA very high quality sequin mini dress by Dynasty of Hong Kong and cut in a classic 1960s shift shape. It falls to around knee length, with a high rounded neck and central back zipper with hook and eye closure at the top. The material is a fine cream silky feel fabric with chevron embroidered sequins in cream, champagne and silver tones, which gives the dress a lovely sparkle and sense of movement. It is lined with a pale cream fabric which is cool against the skin and comfortable to wear, and would look fab paired with statement earrings and heels or gogo boots...Category
1960s Hong Kong Cocktail Dresses
- Versace Pink Abstract Print Halter Dress With Lace Panels 2000By Gianni VersaceLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Versace pink, red, and brown halter dress featuring a halter neck with lace shawl collar, plung...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Mini Dress
- Dolce & Gabbana Pink Paisley Body-Con DressBy Dolce & GabbanaLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Dolce & Gabbana pink dress featuring a paisley pattern, attached black bra, adjustable straps, and zipper at the back. Dolce & Gab...Category
Early 2000s Italian Cocktail Dresses
- Jean Paul Gaultier Floral Print Mesh Dress With PortraitBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage multicolor Jean Paul Gaultier classic mesh dress featuring a floral pattern, portrait imagery, and small rosettes, shoulder bow and...Category
Early 2000s Italian Evening Dresses
- Geoffrey Beene 1990s Khaki and Black Color Block VIntage Silk 90s Mini DressBy Geoffrey BeeneLocated in San Diego, CAChic and a bit sexy 90s GEOFFREY BEENE khaki and black color block silk mini dress ! Built in inner corset keeps everything in place, and has its own zipper. Full hidden zipper up th...Category
1990s American Mini Dress
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.