Coco Chanel Perfume Advertisement Large Sign Featuring Ines De La Fressange 1985
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.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: New York, NY
- Return PolicyThis item cannot be returned.
- Vintage CHANEL Light DecorBy ChanelLocated in New York, NYVintage Chanel light in working condition Approximate length 13" Came from store that used to sell Chanel cosmetics Not too heavy, border frame se...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Decorative Objects
- Chanel Blanket Throw Travel Rug NEW 74" X 55"By ChanelLocated in New York, NYChanel travel rug, throw or blanket New with Chanel dust-bag and tags Two different sides with large CC Approximate measure: 74' X 55" FINAL SALECategory
21st Century and Contemporary Pillows and Throws
- Chanel Black Tennis Racket With Leather X Chain CC Cover NEWBy ChanelLocated in New York, NYChanel black tennis racket with leather CC cover Cover has chains in the back to carry the racket ,it has 2 snap closure on the side to slide and hold racket in.Huge box, dust-bag ,...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Games
- Hermes Curiosite Kelly Laque Charm Black / Gold Pendant NEWLocated in New York, NYGuaranteed authentic Hermes Curiosite Kelly Laque charm Black with in Gold tone . Shaped like a Kelly Bag, the charm is beautifully detailed! Desig...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Wallets and Small Accessories
- Collector's JEAN PAUL GAULTIER Wool Knit Gloves With Mini Purse Handbag TagsBy Jean Paul GaultierLocated in New York, NYVery rare JPG wool gloves with mini purse Definitely JPG collectors piece. Only one glove has purse attached NEW with tags attached Size M FINAL SALE.Category
21st Century and Contemporary Gloves
- HERMES Pantyhose Vintage NEWBy HermèsLocated in New York, NYHermes 2 pairs of pantyhose Size not listed ,my personal opinion is that these are size S H printed at waist Original paper bag included FINAL SALECategory
21st Century and Contemporary French Contour
- Chanel Black CC Hand MirrorBy ChanelLocated in New York, NYChanel Black CC Hand Mirror Color: Black Materials: Acetate, glass Overall Condition: Very good pre-owned condition, with a scratch to logo Includes: Foam protector Measurements: ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Unknown Miscellaneous
- Art Deco Travel Hangers, Green leaf & Crosby, UKLocated in New York, NYCharming Art Deco Travel Hangers in blue leather case with 6 collapsible stained wood and metal hangers in the set. 5" x 4.5" case, Hangers me...Category
1940s British Miscellaneous
- Art Deco Sterling Daschund Cigarette CutterLocated in New York, NYCharming Art Deco Sterling Daschund Cigarette/Cigar Cutter. Mechanism is clad in sterling silver with dog motif, with brass bale. Works well as a pendant as well. 1930's USA. Measure...Category
1930s Miscellaneous
- Large Obsidian Black Onyx Face Mask with Gold Hardware BroochLocated in New York, NYLarge obsidian black onyx face mask brooch has two tone hardware in gold and copper finishing. Brooch measures 35mm x 34mm. Length measures 3 1/4", widt...Category
1960s Mexican Jewelry Boxes
- Yves Saint Laurent Black Hand-Woven & Sequins BraceletBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in New York, NYYves Saint Laurent wonderful detailed bracelet combines micro hand-woven cashmere as the base. Next, over the cashmere would be a layer of micro hand-sequins, then a combined woven "...Category
1990s Italian Scarves
- Kenneth Jay Lane Steel Gray with Gold Accent SeaShell BroochBy Kenneth Jay LaneLocated in New York, NYKenneth Jay Lane, who recently left us, created this wonderfully whimsical and elegant Sea Shell in steel-gray accented with gold studs brooch measures 2 1/2" in length, height ...Category
1980s American Miscellaneous
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.