Chanel Couture 1960’s Pink Tweed Skirt Suit
View Similar Items
Chanel Couture 1960’s Pink Tweed Skirt Suit
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.
- Hillbilly Westerns 1940s Fringed Garbradine Western Cowgirl OutfitLocated in Carmel, CAHillbilly Westerns 1940's Western performing parade outfit for a cowgirl. Shirt features snap button fastenings along the front and on the cuffs, gabardine fabric with a fringed leat...Category
1940s American Trouser Pant Suits
- Carter Smith Shibori Obiko San Francisco 4 Piece Dress EnsembleLocated in Carmel, CAShibori Maxi Dress Ensemble from the legendary San Francisco Art to Wear Mecca, Obiko. Ensemble includes 4 pieces. : turban style head piece, with Head Piece, Necklace, dress, chiffo...Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Dress and Coat Ensembles
- YSL Yves Saint Laurent Vintage 1970s Matte Jersey Top/Skirt EnsembleBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in Carmel, CAYSL matte jersey set includes: ruched strapless shell, waist tie/scarf, full gathered short skirt. Strapless shell has a zipper and hook-and-eye fastening a...Category
1970s French Skirt Suits
- Comme des Garçons Junya Watanabe Skirt Jacket Suit See Through Panels 2001By Comme des Garçons, Junya WatanabeLocated in Carmel, CAComme des Garçons Junya Watanabe Black Wool Skirt Jacket Suit from 2001 See Through Panels at waist of jacket, back style lines in the shape of a soccer ball. Skirt is fitted with an...Category
Early 2000s Japanese Skirt Suits
- Galanos Vintage Lace Ensemble Pant SuitBy GalanosLocated in Carmel, CABeautiful multicolored lace dress cover has a back zipper fastening. Sheer pants feature a lace trim along the waistline and has a back zipper closure. D...Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Norman Norell 1940s Matte Jersey Corseted Blouse and SkirtBy Norman NorellLocated in Carmel, CANorman Norell vintage 1940s black matte jersey blouse and skirt set. Blouse has a laced attached boned and corseted faille corset waistband and dolman cut sleeves. Skirt has a side m...Category
Early 20th Century American Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- 1990S Black Polyester Spandex Jumpsuit With Embossed Crocodile Skin & Gold LeatLocated in New York, NY1990S Black Polyester Spandex Jumpsuit With Embossed Crocodile Skin & Gold Leather PipingCategory
1990s Jumpsuits
- Mod 60's Gold Jackie O Gucci Style Dress & Matching CoatLocated in Los Angeles, CA1960s Mod Gold Jackie O Gucci Style Matching Coat and Dress 2 Piece Ensemble Made in USA - Union Label Size Label Reads : Coat 9 ...Category
1960s American Dress and Coat Ensembles
- Ronald Amey Brocade EnsembleBy Ronald Amey, Burke-AmeyLocated in Alford, MARonald Amey was a masterful designer, from concept to execution, and, although a bit under the radar, his clothes are much sought after by connoisseurs. He used exquisite and interes...Category
1960s American Dress and Coat Ensembles
- Vintage La Chasse Silk hiffon Dress and CoatLocated in London, GBA stunning vintage silk chiffon dress and matching coat. In a pretty blue and white print, the dress has a frill at the neckline with ribbo...Category
1960s British Dress and Coat Ensembles
- Adele Simpson Satin and Brocade EnsembleBy Adele SimpsonLocated in Alford, MALuxurious fabrics and beautiful construction define this 1960s evening skirt and blouse ensemble by Adele Simpson. The top is fashioned like a shirt, but in a rich gold satin, and ha...Category
1960s American Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- ZANDRA RHODES Metallic Raw Silk Skirt Suit with Applique Size 8By Zandra RhodesLocated in Los Angeles, CAThis Zandra Rhodes skirt suit is composed of a metallic raw silk in hues of bronze to burgundy. There are applique details on the jacket as well as center front snap closures. The s...Category
20th Century English Skirt Suits
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.