Chanel
View Similar Items
Chanel
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.
- Richard Minadeo Sphinx & Pharaoh Charm BraceletBy Richard MinadeoLocated in Los Angeles, CARichard Minadeo brass link bracelet, featuring a glass Sphinx, pharaoh, snake, Nefertiti charm and other mystical elements set in gold resin. Handmade and one-of-a-kind. Famous in the ’80s for his handmade, one of a kind, and extremely personal jewelry and mementos, Richard Minadeo is most known for his collaborations with artists like Madonna; creating iconic pieces for her Like A Virgin and Like A Prayer...Category
2010s American Link Bracelets
- Richard Minadeo Red Buddha & Dragon BraceletBy Richard MinadeoLocated in Los Angeles, CARichard Minadeo brass link bracelet featuring vintage red Buddha, red Noh mask, snakes, and floral symbols set in gold and black resin with gold studs. Hand...Category
2010s American Cuff Bracelets
- Jack Boyd Brutalist Bronze Double Spore BraceletBy Jack BoydLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Jack Boyd bronze double "spore" cuff featuring Boyd's iconic "Boyd bubbles" on each side. Circa, 1970's. Jack Boyd One Size Metal ...Category
Vintage 1970s American Bangles
MaterialsBronze
- Ugo Correani Pair Of Gold & Rhinestone Wire CuffBy Ugo CorreaniLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a pair of vintage Ugo Correani set of gold-tone multi-wire cuffs adorned with clear crystal studs. Ugo Correani One Size Metal Wire Excellen...Category
Late 20th Century Italian Modernist Cuff Bracelets
- Jack Boyd Brutalist Large Double Spore Bronze Bracelet 1970sBy Jack BoydLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Jack Boyd bronze large double "spore" and "Boyd bubbles" bracelet. Circa, 1970's. Jack Boyd Medium Metal Excellent Vintage Condit...Category
Vintage 1970s American Bangles
MaterialsBronze
- Jack Boyd Brutalist Bronze Single Spore BraceletBy Jack BoydLocated in Los Angeles, CAResurrection Vintage is excited to offer a vintage Jack Boyd heavy bronze "spore" bracelet with an alternating graduated band. Circa, 1970's. Jack Boyd One Size Metal Excellent Vint...Category
Vintage 1970s American Bangles
MaterialsBronze
- Important Charm Bracelet Yellow Gold 18 Carat amethysts pearls coral fine stonesLocated in Paris, FRImportant Charm bracelet in 18 carats 750/000 gold, finely chiseled American curb chain retaining 9 pretty tassel charms enhanced with amethysts, pearls, coral, fine stones and others. It is decorated with a ratchet clasp with safety figure eight. Work around 1960. Adorned with 9 important 18 kt gold...Category
Vintage 1960s French Charm Bracelets
MaterialsAmethyst, Coral, Pearl, Turquoise, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- American Celebrity Charm Bracelet in Sterling Silver Circa 1950Located in Wailea, HIAmerican Celebrity Charm Bracelet in Sterling Silver 7 Inches in Length National Association of Tobacco Distributors. Every year they held a convention and in 1950 the convention was held in Chicago. This cigarette pack charm was on the chain with the other 3 movies stars/singers. Bing Crosby at that time had a television program sponsored by Chesterfield, so at the 1950 convention, his show was taped at the convention (March 29, 1950). His guests for the show were Perry Como...Category
Mid-20th Century American Retro Charm Bracelets
MaterialsSterling Silver
- Food Wine Motif Yellow Gold Charm BraceletLocated in Stamford, CTFigaro style 14k yellow gold charm bracelet. Food and drink motif charm bracelet consists of seven charms. A waffle iron, frying pan with egg, sand timer, ...Category
Late 20th Century Charm Bracelets
MaterialsGold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Antique Art Deco Carved Jade Leaf Sterling Silver Charm Pendant BraceletLocated in Miami Beach, FLBeautiful dainty antique art deco bracelet featuring a 1.15" long by .65" tall pendant that hangs .65" from the bracelet. The bracelet is 7"...Category
Early 20th Century Art Deco Charm Bracelets
MaterialsJade, Sterling Silver
- Vintage Yellow Gold Double Spiral Link Wedding Theme Charm BraceletLocated in Stamford, CT1960's 14k double spiral link charm wedding theme bracelet. Contains engagement ring, wedding band set, wedding bells, champagne goblets and 2 pair of shorts hanging on a clothes line...Category
Vintage 1960s Charm Bracelets
MaterialsGold, 10k Gold, 14k Gold, Yellow Gold
- Pampilles Bracelet Yellow Gold 18 Carat Citrines Peridot Amethyst and DiamondsLocated in Paris, FRPampilles Bracelet in yellow Gold 18 carats Citrines Peridot Amethyst and Diamonds The bracelet is composed of 12 large Citrines (length 1 cm Width 0.8cm) alternating two small Diamo...Category
1990s Unknown Charm Bracelets
MaterialsAmethyst, Citrine, Diamond, Peridot, 18k Gold
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.