Vintage 1971 Chanel Haute Couture Documented White Floral Lace Silk Dress Set
View Similar Items
Vintage 1971 Chanel Haute Couture Documented White Floral Lace Silk Dress Set
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.
- Vintage 2006 Alexander McQueen Documented White Silk Chain Plunge High-Slit GownBy Alexander McQueenLocated in Beverly Hills, CAEthereal, highly coveted 2006 white documented runway show-stopper from the late and great Alexander Mcqueen. He was known for combining superb tailoring with a dramatic aesthetic inspired by...Category
Early 2000s European Wedding Dresses
- Vintage 1960's Pauline Trigere Seafoam Green Crepe One-Shoulder Gown & Fur WrapBy Pauline TrigèreLocated in Beverly Hills, CAExceptional Pauline Trigere designer seafoam green bias-cut gown dating back to the late 1960's During this time period, Pauline Trigère's name was part of the glamorous excess in H...Category
1960s American Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Vintage 1970's Halston Couture Blue Beaded Floral Silk Crepe Long-Sleeve DressBy HalstonLocated in Beverly Hills, CAGorgeous Halston light-blue beaded shift dress dating back to his 1977 couture collection. Halston revolutionized the way women dress and is one of the few designers, alongside Claire McCardell and Norman Norell, to define what is American fashion. Throughout most of the seventies he epitomized the glamour, as well as the decadence of the era, becoming a central figure in the nightlife scene of New York's Studio 54. He was known for his flattering body-conscious clothing in jersey and silks. This simple yet dynamic cocktail is a perfect example of his genius. The whole garment is fashioned with pastel hue glass-beads layered on embroidered light...Category
1970s American Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Vintage 1960's French Couture Pink Gray Embroidered Lace and Silk Strapless GownLocated in Beverly Hills, CAIn this gorgeous 1960's Vazken custom-made gown, the detailed construction and meticulous attention to detail are comparable to what you will find in modern haute couture. This gown ...Category
1960s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Vintage 1910's Edwardian White Embroidered Cotton Cut-Out Bridal Boudior DressLocated in Beverly Hills, CARomantic boudior dresses from the early 20th century are perennial favorites and this one is a show-stopper. The garment's effortless style is so modern; the fine embroidery and mixed-laces are a treasure trove of needle art...Category
1910s French Wedding Dresses
- Vintage 1950's Bergdorf Goodman Ivory Sequin Embroidered Tulle Strapless GownBy Bergdorf GoodmanLocated in Beverly Hills, CAIn this gorgeous early 1950's Bergdorf Goodman ivory-white gown, the detailed construction and meticulous attention to detail are comparable to what you will find in modern haute-cou...Category
1950s American Wedding Dresses
- Gianni Versace S/S 2001 Vintage Geometric Print Belted Open Back DressBy Gianni VersaceLocated in Naples, FLGianni Versace S/S 2001 Vintage Geometric Print Belted Open Back Dress IT 44Category
1990s Evening Dresses and Gowns
- 1980 Adolfo Gold Lace & Sequin Pouf Shoulder Cocktail Mini Dress Size 4By AdolfoLocated in Gresham, OREarly 1980s Adolfo sequined and beaded gold lace 3/4 sleeve mini dress with pouf shoulder. Gold bead banding at hem, collar and cuff. Back zipper. Unlined.Category
1980s American Cocktail Dresses
- Michael Kors Collection Size 6 / 8 Navy Blue and White Gingham Puff Sleeve DressBy Michael KorsLocated in San Diego, CAChic MICHAEL KORS COLLECTION navy blue and white gingham checkered puff sleeve nautical dress ! 98% Cotton 2% Spandex. Features allover navy blue and white gingham throughout the e...Category
2010s Italian Cocktail Dresses
$796 Sale Price20% Off - Bob Mackie For Neiman Marcus Important Cotton Plaid 50s Style Vintage DressBy Bob MackieLocated in San Diego, CAImportant Bob Mackie late 70s/early 80s dress! From the era of Mackie's 'hype,' this dress mirrors his femininity, and attention to detail. Cotton la...Category
1980s American Cocktail Dresses
- Elaborately Beaded French FLapper Dress, c.1920sLocated in New York, NYElaborately Beaded French FLapper Dress, c.1920s Indigo knee-length gauze Flapper dress with intricate beading of art deco style motifs in shades of indigo, blue and silver. Featurin...Category
1920s French Aesthetic Evening Dresses
- Judy Hornby for Neiman Marcus Vintage Hand Painted Silk Dress + Wrap EnsembleBy Neiman Marcus, Judy HornbyLocated in Sparks, NVBeautiful hand painted silk dress and matching wrap ensemble by Judy Hornby for Neiman Marcus in watercolor shades of pink, brown, teal and pur...Category
Late 20th Century American Evening Dresses
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.