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Chanel

French

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. 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. 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.

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Period: Early 1900s
Designer: Chanel
Chanel Vintage 90's Runway Collector COCO CHANEL Gold Letters Belt Necklace Rare
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Chanel Vintage 90's Runway Collector COCO CHANEL Gold Letters Belt Necklace Rare Vintage Chanel belt from 1993 featured in gold with black leather...
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Early 1900s French Chanel

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Chanel fashion for sale on 1stDibs.

Find an extraordinary range of authentic Chanel fashion available on 1stDibs. If you’re browsing our collection of unique vintage and designer fashion to elevate your daily look or to introduce new colors to the dazzling formal wear in your wardrobe, this designer’s body of work includes elements of red, blue, pink and other tones. Customers who are interested in this designer might also find the work of Hermès, Christian Dior, and Takashi Murakami appealing. On 1stDibs, find haute couture, vintage and designer Chanel fashion from top boutiques around the world. Chanel fashion prices can differ depending upon time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $118 and tops out at $300,000, while the average work can sell for $3,194.
Questions About Chanel
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    Although some Chanel jewelry contains real freshwater pearls, much of their costume jewelry is made from coated glass, though they are still high quality.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    All Chanel bags are guaranteed to be authentic, as they come with a unique tag and authentication card.This is an easy way for you to determine the authenticity of your bag. Shop a large selection of vintage or modern Chanel bags on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Chanel doesn't usually make men's clothing. The brand has never offered a full menswear line. However, Chanel does have partnerships with designers that occasionally yield items for men such as suits or neckties.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    All of Chanel's fine jewelry is made with 18K Gold (both yellow and white) and platinum and all of the diamonds used have very high clarity and color with a perfect set, resulting in some of the highest quality jewelry.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    No, Chanel doesn’t make men’s belts and they do not have a menswear line. That said, there are men who do wear Chanel belts and other items from the women’s line to create their own noteworthy style. On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic Chanel garments and accessories from some of the world’s top boutiques.
  • 1stDibs ExpertJanuary 4, 2022
    Chanel is a luxury French fashion house founded by Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel in 1910. Focused on women’s ready-to-wear clothing and haute couture, Chanel is most famous for the 1921 perfume Chanel No. 5, the 1925 Chanel Suit and the iconic 1926 little black dress, which remains a staple in women’s closets around the world to this day. Shop a collection of vintage and designer Chanel pieces from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    Chanel Matelasse is a quilted Chanel bag. It's an emblem of the Chanel brand. Chanel Matelasse bags and other Chanel bags can be found on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    Chanel No. 5 smells like a subtle mix of florals, including rose, ylang-ylang, jasmine, lily of the valley and iris, sandalwood, and a hint of vanilla. Chanel No. 5 is one of the most popular scents in the world.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    Depending on the bag's material, a vintage Chanel can be quite expensive. For instance, a vintage crocodile top handle bag costs around $130,000. The classic quilted leather bag is around $10,000.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    A Chanel tote's price can vary on the second depending on size, model, condition, and age. New Chanel small clutches start at around $1,900 while totes and other purses fetch $4,000-$5,000.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    The latest prices for the Chanel wallet on chain is $3,100. There are many variations of this classic design, with some selling for closer to $2,100.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    Yes, Chanel is one of the most desirable luxury brands in the world. This top-class designer brand creates their products from quality raw materials and high production methods while employing some of the best-known talent in the fashion world. Find many Chanel accessories and apparel on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    Although costume jewelry is usually more affordable because many Chanel costume pieces have a timeless style as well as good craftsmanship, they hold their value and so can be sold at an expensive price.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    To remove creases from Chanel can be done with care, of course. Use a clean cloth and dry cleaning solution but stay away from any chemicals on the bag as they can damage it permanently. On 1stDibs, find vintage and modern Chanel pieces.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    You can make Chanel jacket trims feathery, flat or embellished ribbons and stitched on wool bindings are worth all the effort with a seamstress. You'll find a vast collection of authentic Chanel twill jackets from some of the world's top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 4, 2024
    The first Coco Chanel fashion shows were reportedly held on rue Cambon in Paris.

    The first Chanel shop was established in 1910 in the French capital at 31 rue Cambon by the young milliner Gabrielle Chanel, 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. The ground floor housed the boutique, while the area upstairs was utilized for a salon for couture fittings as well as a space for models to show off Chanel's present collections.

    Find vintage Chanel handbags, clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.

  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Chanel recommends storing your boy bags by wrapping the chains or straps in tissue paper and storing them upright in the original pouch. Other sources suggest stuffing the bag with acid-free tissue paper to support its shape and make sure the chain or strap is well-padded so it doesn’t imprint the bag. Shop a collection of expertly vetted vintage and new Chanel bags from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    You can buy a Chanel Mini Flap bag directly from Chanel’s website or one of Chanel’s boutiques. Additionally, you may find a Chanel Mini Flap bag in one of Chanel’s retail partners’ stores. Shop a collection of authentic Chanel Mini Flap bags from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 27, 2024
    Coco Chanel is most famous for founding the luxury French fashion house Chanel in 1910. In addition, she is known for creating the first-ever handbag to feature a shoulder strap, the 2.55 Flap Bag, in 1955. Chanel also created the little black dress in 1926. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Chanel apparel, bags, shoes and accessories.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 29, 2024
    You can buy Chanel costume jewelry directly from the brand’s official website as well as in its boutiques. See the site’s store locator in order to find the official Chanel boutique nearest you. You can also find Chanel products on offer at any of the luxury house’s authorized retailers as well as through resellers.

    Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel introduced her costume jewelry in the 1920s, when the economy was roaring and fine jewelry was the main mode of adornment among her clients. Fearless about giving offense, Chanel proclaimed, “I love fakes because I find such jewelry provocative, and I find it disgraceful to walk around with millions of dollars around your neck, just because you are rich.” Then, in 1932, in the midst of the Great Depression, Chanel dramatically switched gears and designed her first and only diamond jewelry collection, Bijoux de Diamants.

    Find vintage Chanel costume jewelry for sale on 1stDibs.

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