Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld black studded 3 piece skirt suit, A/W 2003
View Similar Items
Chanel by Karl Lagerfeld black studded 3 piece skirt suit, A/W 2003
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.
- Jeanne Lanvin haute couture green tartan tweed coat and skirt set, c. 1940sBy Jeanne LanvinLocated in London, GBIntroducing an exquisite Jeanne Lanvin 1940s couture green and brown tartan tweed coat and skirt ensemble, a true gem that embodies the timeless elegance...Category
1940s French Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Junya Watanabe indigo denim brocade tailcoat jacket and pants set, ss 2007By Junya WatanabeLocated in London, GB▪ Junya Watanabe pant suit ▪ Indigo denim brocade ▪ Fitted tailcoat jacket ▪ Matching skinny pants with cummerbund-style waistband ▪ Size: Extra Small ▪ Spring-Summer 2007 ▪ 100%...Category
Early 2000s Japanese Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Azzedine Alaia navy blue knitted wool pant suit, fw 1986By Azzedine AlaïaLocated in London, GBAzzedine Alaia navy blue knitted pant suit comprising: long turtle neck sweater with fitted sleeves and zip fastenings, and extra long knitted pants. Fall-Winter 1986Category
1980s Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Issey Miyake blue knit jersey convertible sweater and pants set, c. 1980sBy Issey MiyakeLocated in London, GBPresenting an exceptional Issey Miyake knitted 2-piece pant suit, a true treasure from the illustrious 1980s era. This unique suit showcases Issey Miyake's signature design ingenuity...Category
1980s Japanese Trouser Pant Suits
- Vivienne Westwood rope print knitted cowl-neck top and drape skirt set, ss 1998By Vivienne WestwoodLocated in London, GB▪ Vivienne Westwood rayon-knit top and skirt 2-piece set ▪ Allover beige rope print ▪ Cowl-neck top ▪ Draped knee-length skirt with elasticated waistband ▪ Size Medium ▪ 100% Rayo...Category
1990s Italian Evening Dresses and Gowns
- Men's Yohji Yamamoto navy frayed pinstriped wool suit, fw 2003By Yohji YamamotoLocated in London, GB▪ Yohji Yamamoto Pour Homme navy pant suit ▪ 100% Wool ▪ Frayed cream pinstripe design ▪ Notched lapel ▪ Button fastening ▪ Wide-leg pants ▪ Jacket: Size JP 3 / Large ▪ Pants: S...Category
Early 2000s Japanese Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- 1950s Green and Black Wool SuitLocated in San Francisco, CA1950s wool suit featuring shades of olive, sage, and forest green with an asymmetrical button closure accented with additional matching hand-covered buttons. The shawl collar is modi...Category
1950s Suits, Outfits and Ensembles
- Sonia Rykiel Three Piece Tuxedo Style Black Pant Suit, 1980'sBy Sonia RykielLocated in Atlanta, GAA versatile 1980's Sonia Rykiel three piece suit in a black rayon/acetate blend crepe fabric, including jacket, top and pants. The chic details, including a satin finish to the coll...Category
1980s French Trouser Pant Suits
- Vintage Silk Coat and DressLocated in London, GBA chic vintage outfit in a petrol blue silk. The dress is sleaveless with a round neckline and central back zip. The cot has elbow length sleaves ...Category
1960s British Dress and Coat Ensembles
$431 Sale Price20% Off - Resort/12 Look # 8 VERSACE FLORAL BLACK and WHITE SUIT w/LEATHER CORSET 38 - 2By VersaceLocated in Montgomery, TXVERSACE Actual PR-sample Resort 2012 Look # 8 Black and White Floral print skirt suit (skirt, top) + Leather corset Gold-tone hardware Asymmetrical detail Content: Top: 1...Category
2010s Italian Skirt Suits
$1,608 Sale Price35% Off - 1980S SONIA RYKIEL Dark Grey Linen & Cotton Jersey JumpsuitBy Sonia RykielLocated in New York, NY1980S SONIA RYKIEL Dark Grey Linen & Cotton Jersey JumpsuitCategory
1980s Jumpsuits
- Emilio Pucci Vintage Printed Silk Chiffon and Velvet Trouser set 1970sBy Emilio PucciLocated in West Palm Beach, FLEmilio Pucci vintage printed silk chiffon and velvet pant set from the 1970s. This two piece set features a long sleeve silk chiffon blouse in bla...Category
1970s Italian Trouser Pant 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.