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. The 1957 two-tone slingback pumps had a practical heel height while offering a bold statement in the black tip of the shoes. 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.
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. His collections for Chanel displayed his knack for synthesizing old and new, high and low. Lagerfeld revived Chanel ballet flats and thoroughly embraced the classic logo's interlocking CCs, which took the form of a clasp featured on so many of the rare Chanel bags that are much sought after today.
Vintage Karl Lagerfeld designs for Chanel dresses, coats and other clothing of the 1980s, '90s and 2000s riffed on its iconography, accenting a lexicon of Chanel-isms with tastes of the moment. And as the 1990s have become associated with styles adopted by today’s supermodels and influencers, vintage Chanel bags of the 1990s are among the most prized of the brand’s offerings.
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.
CHANEL Paris / Shanghai Eastern Grace Red Dress 36 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL Paris // Shanghai Runway Dress — As seen on Kristen Stewart in the Campaign — –A silhouette cast in ceremonial fire, this red velvety knit dress from Chanel’s Paris–Shanghai...
CHANEL ARCTIC ICE Collectible Runway Suit 40 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL Fall 2010 — From the “Arctic Ice” Runway by Karl Lagerfeld – Graphite Cashmere Suit - Dress with Fantasy Fur Accents and The Fluffy Cashmere Bouclé Jacket evokes both glac...
CHANEL 16K$ Black Silk Maxi Dress with CC Logo Print 34 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL · Black Silk Maxi Dress with CC Logo & Paris Skyline Print — Spring 2020 “PARIS ROOFTOPS” Runway by Virginie Viard • Boutique value: over $16,000 · seen on Jennie Kim · Maga...
CHANEL 13K$ Black Pearl Embellished Dress with Jewel Brooch 40 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL Haute Couture “Gatsby Nocturne” Bejewelled Dress with Pearl Brooch — An Extremely Rare Collectible Masterpiece by Karl Lagerfeld // Boutique valuation: over $13,000 – The si...
CHANEL 14K$ Extremely Rare 2009 Pearl Embellished Dress 38 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL · Exceptionally Rare Navy Dress with Jewel Pearl Embellishment — Runway Spring 2009 Collection · by Karl Lagerfeld — // As seen on Audrey Tautou and featured on multiple magaz...
CHANEL Paris / Salzburg Rarest Blue Edelweiss Dress 34 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL · Collectible Edelweiss Knit Dress — Paris / SALZBURG Métiers d’Art 2015 Runway Collection · by Karl Lagerfeld — — worn by Cara Delevingne on Runway // Boutique Value: Over $...
CHANEL New Paris / CUBA Beige Belted Dress 38 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL · Timeless Beige Knit Belted Dress — Paris / CUBA Cruise Collection 2017 by Karl Lagerfeld — ~ A quiet manifesto of elegance, born where Parisian discipline met Havana’s fadi...
CHANEL 9K$ New Paris / Greece Shimmer Tweed Belted Dress 36 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL · Collectible Shimmer Tweed Dress — Paris / GREECE Cruise 2018 Collection · by Karl Lagerfeld Boutique Value: Over $8,000 – A radiant relic from Chanel’s Paris–Greece Cruis...
CHANEL New Paris / CUBA Runway Orange Tweed Dress 34 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL · Crimson Lesage Tweed Dress — Runway of PARIS / CUBA Cruise 2017 Collection by Karl Lagerfeld — ~ A radiant artefact of the Maison’s Caribbean dreamscape — the collectible ...
CHANEL 15K$ New CC Logo Black Silk Maxi Dress 34 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL · Black Silk Maxi Dress with CC & Autumn Leaf Print — Fall 2018 Advertising Campaign, Karl Lagerfeld • Boutique value: over $15,000 · Billboard / Magazine-cited Icon — F...
CHANEL New Iconic Black Shimmer Tweed Belted Dress 36 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL · Black Shimmer Tweed Belted Dress with Gripoix CC Jewel Buttons — Paris / MONACO 2007 Métiers d’Art, Karl Lagerfeld • Runway-provenanced icon · celebrity-seen on Selena Gom...
CHANELl 8K$ Couture Tweed Dress with Floral Appliqué 42 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
— Chanel 2010 Lesage Tweed Dress with Couture Floral Embellishment — boutique value over 8,000$ — ~ From Chanel’s Spring 2010 “Countryside” collection, as envisioned by Karl Lage...
CHANEL Paris / Byzance Imrepial Décadence Relic Dress 36 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL Runway Shimmer Knit Dress — Paris-Byzance 2011 Collection By Karl Lagerfeld – A relic woven from the splendor of Byzantium and the precision of Parisian haute couture, this C...
Chanel Cruise 2010 10C Gold Foil Knit Short Dress
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in London, GB
Absolutely incredible archival Chanel dress from the Cruise 10C collection which Karl Lagerfeld described as “Coco on the Lido”. Look 22 on the catwalk. In amazing unworn condition a...
CHANEL New Iconic 2020 Ad Campaign Black Shimmer Dress 42 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Chanel Iconic Black Shimmer Dress ~ Fall 2020 Collection by Virginie Viard ~ As seen in global ad campaigns, billboards, and leading fashion magazines. ~ Most Recognizable Piece o...
CHANEL Liliy Allen Style Grey Lesage Tweed Jacket 36 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL Liliy Allen Style Grey Lesage Tweed Jacket – An iconic Chanel creation, as seen on Lily Allen – A collector’s piece where heritage meets modern allure—wearable proof that ...
CHANEL Paris / Dubai CC Gripoix Buttons Tweed Jacket Dress 46 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
– From the ephemeral sands of Karl Lagerfeld’s Paris / DUBAI Runway rises this sleeveless vision in Chanel’s navy bouclé tweed jacket dress— a fabric woven as if to capture the midn...
CHANEL Paris / Byzance Collectors Artifact Tunic Dress 34 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL · Museum-Level Woven Tunic Dress — Runway of PARIS / BYZANCE Métiers d’Art 2011 — // Comparable archivable pieces now exceed $8,000+ in the collector garments market ~ An es...
Chanel Lagerfeld Sleeveless Tweed Dress
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Chanel
Located in Sharon, CT
From the 2001 Collection. Four pockets in front. Hounds Tooth Tweed. Botton down Front. Chanel branded silk linning.
CHANEL Paris / Venice Runway Shimmering Baroque Dress 42 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL · Paris / VENICE Shimmering Baroque Dress — Cruise 2010 Runway Collection by Karl Lagerfeld – This is not merely an evening dress. It is a moving fresco – A garment as a ...
CHANEL 2022 Sunlit Yellow Boucle Dress with Logo Belt 38 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL · Bouclé Knit Dress with Logo Belt — Spring 2022, Virginie Viard —Highly coveted · modern house-code piece — This is a Viard-era piece with immediate recognizability: a mode...
CHANEL Little Black Tweed Dress with CC Buttons 38 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL · Little Black Tweed Dress with CC Buttons — Iconic & celebrity-cited — as seen on Lily-Rose Depp — — this Chanel little black dress is a cultural unit — and this versio...
Orange and white Tweed sleeveless dress CHANEL
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Chanel
Located in Saint-Ouen-Sur-Seine, FR
Orange and white Tweed sleeveless dress. Main fabric composition: 61% rayon, 16% wool, 13% cotton, 8% nylon, 2% acrylic. Silk branded lining. Branded button and buttonhole closure o...
$772Sale Price|20% Off
CHANEL 2011 Saint-Tropez Cruise Cashmere Dress 36 (small)
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Port Hope, ON
This beautiful 2011 Saint-Tropez Cruise Collection is made of 100% cashmere embroidered with white cotton guipure crochet/lace. The dress was in 2011 resort fashion runway and modele...
CHANEL mustard yellow viscose 22P LUREX JERSEY KNIT Dress 36 XS
By Chanel
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Chanel dress in mustard and gold lurex rib-knit in viscose (90%) and metallised polyester (10%). This luxury Chanel dress features a fluid fit-and-flare silhouette ext...
Chanel SS 2015 Pastel Boucle Tweed Shift Dress with Fringe
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sweet as can be Chanel Spring/Summer 2015 midi dress. Classic and playful Lagerfeld Chanel, this delightful boucle tweed dress gets a fresh twist with the fringed hem. Preppy shades ...
CHANEL navy blue cotton 17P FRINGE TRIM TWEED MINI Dress 40 M
By Chanel
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Chanel dress in navy blue gauze tweed wool (38%), cotton (27%), nylon (17%), viscose (17%) and polyester (1%), intricately embroidered in a grid pattern in white, blue...
Chanel F/W 1991 Vintage Black Pearl Embellished Mini Dress
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Chanel
Located in Jersey City, NJ
Chanel F/W 1991 black dress with faux pearl “necklace” embellishment — a beautifully documented runway piece, also pictured in the official collection catalog on Linda Evangelista. ...
CHANEL New ARCTIC Collection Iconic Fringed Tweed Dress 34 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
– A luminous relic of couture, this iconic dress from the ARCTIC ICE collection by Maestro Lagerfeld — a manifesto of Arctic poetry, a statement relic shimmering between Couture an...
CHANEL black 1990s BEADE POINTELLE KNIT MAXI Dress S
By Chanel
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Chanel gown in black semi-sheer pointelle knit. Features a sleek, sleeveless bodycon silhouette that falls to a refined maxi length, finished with a sculpting turtlene...
CHANEL Iconic Paris / MIAMI Tweed Dress with CC Heart Buttons 34 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Chanel Collectible Tweed Dress with Bow As Seen on Claudia Schiffer — Paris / MIAMI Cruise Collection By Karl Lagerfeld ~ To acquire it is to claim not merely a garment, but a fr...
CHANEL Paris / Cuba Crimson Lesage Tweed Dress 34 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL · Crimson Lesage Tweed Dress — Runway of PARIS / CUBA Cruise 2017 Collection by Karl Lagerfeld — ~ A radiant artefact of the Maison’s Caribbean dreamscape — the collectible ...
CHANEL black 91A TIERED VELVET & CHIFFON GOWN Dress 38 S
By Chanel
Located in Zürich, CH
This 100% authentic Chanel evening gown is crafted in black velvet and chiffon for a refined interplay of structure and lightness. It features a fitted velvet bodice accented with te...
CHANEL 12K$ Iconic Yellow Tweed Dress with Belt 40 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL · Runway of FRENCH RIVIERA Cruise 2012 Collection — Lemon Yellow Lesage Tweed Dress with Logo Belt y Karl Lagerfeld — // Boutique value: over $12,000 – A sunlit relic dress ...
CHANEL Bridal 08P beige sequinned raw edge asymmetric capelet shift dress FR36 S
By Karl Lagerfeld, Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHANEL Bridal 08P beige sequinned raw edge asymmetric capelet shift dress FR36 S Reference: MELK/A00451 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Collection...
CHANEL 8K$ Lana Del Rey Style Black Dress with Logo Belt 36 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL Black Tweed Dress with Logo Belt – Paris / SINGAPORE Cruise Collection by Maestro Karl Lagerfeld ~ As seen on Lana Del Rey – As seen on Lana del Rey, this dress embodies the...
CHANEL black/white silk satin dress FR 40 Fall 2001 01A
By Chanel
Located in Rubiera, RE
CHANEL Fall 2001 Elegant dress in black and white silk satin with drapery on the neckline. Short sleeves. Side pockets. Zip closure on the back. size FR 40 Made in France 100% silk ...
CHANEL Arctic Ice Runway Relaxed Dress with Fantasy Fur 40 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL Fall 2010 — From the “Arctic Ice” Runway by Karl Lagerfeld – Graphite Cashmere Dress with Fantasy Fur Accents this graphite-toned cashmere dress evokes both glacial elegance...
CHANEL white cotton blend 2012 12P RIB-KNIT TRUMPET Dress 38 S
By Chanel
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Chanel rib-knit dress in off-white cotton (81%) and nylon (19%). Features an elegant trumpet silhouette with a flattering above-the-knee length that moves beautifully ...
rare CHANEL 04P Sports Vintage CC logo black fleece flared pinafore dress FR36 S
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Hong Kong, NT
rare CHANEL 04P Sports Vintage CC logo black fleece flared pinafore dress FR36 S Reference: TGAS/G00118 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Collection: 04P Sports Material: Cotton...
Chanel Pre-Fall 2007 Floral Applique Cashmere Dress Black
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Chanel
Located in London, GB
Gorgeous vintage Chanel dress - from the Pre-Fall Metiers D’Art 2007 or Paris-Monte Carlo collection. Only worn a couple of times and in excellent vintage condition. made from soft, ...
Chanel 98 Iridescent Dragonfly Logo Print Silk Chiffon Sheer Overlay Maxi Dress
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Chanel
Located in Morongo Valley, CA
Spring 1998 Chanel long dress in layered silk chiffon. Constructed with a semi-sheer iridescent purple silk chiffon overlay printed with a dragonfly motif, layered over a coordinati...
CHANEL New Paris / Edinburgh CC Patch Tartan Dress 40 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
Chanel Tartan Cashmere Dress with CC Logo Patch — Paris / EDINBURGH 2013 Metiers d’Art Collection by Karl Lagerfeld ~ More than a garment, it is a woven narrative — the discipline o...
CHANEL black & multi silk 2022 22S FLORAL CHIFFON MAXI Dress 42 L
By Chanel
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Chanel floral maxi dress in black and multicolor silk chiffon (100%). Features semi-sheer top with collar and two decorative buttons on the front that opens with gold-...
CHANEL navy & black 2012 12P PANELLED TWEED Dress 38 S
By Chanel
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Chanel panelled tweed dress in navy blue and black acrylic (43%), nylon (23%), polyester (20%) and viscose (14%). Features printed silk waist insert and flared bottom ...
CHANEL blue brown white silk 2020 20P PLEATED LOGO Dress 36 XS
By Chanel
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Chanel 2020 sleeveless pleated dress in pale navy, pale brown, white, black and pale olive green logo and Camellia printed silk (100%). Opens with 7 hidden buttons on ...
CHANEL black & white cotton 14P FRINGE TRIM TWEED Dress 42 L
By Chanel
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Chanel dress in black and white tweed composed of cotton (74%), polyamide (17%) and paper (9%), featuring contrasting white and black woven textured tweed at the bust ...
Chanel Black Petal Textured Swim Cover-Up Dress, Cruise 2009
By Chanel
Located in San Francisco, CA
Chanel vintage 2000s black sleeveless dress with tiers of petal shaped fabric at front. From the Cruise 2009 collection. Metal CC logo at back top. Lightweight fabric, great as a b...
CHANEL 6K$ New Paris / Salzburg CC Buttons Fluffy Dress 40 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL Black Boucle Dress with White Fluffy Accents — Paris / SALZBURG 2015 Collection by Karl Lagerfeld // Boutique value: $5,680 // – A stunning embodiment of Chanel’s Alpine ref...
CHANEL navy blue & cream cotton 24P TEXTURED KNIT MINI Dress 40 M
By Chanel
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Chanel dress in navy blue and black textured knit composed of cotton (49%), viscose (35%) and polyamide (16%), offering a structured yet supple finish. Designed in a s...
CHANEL cream viscose 24P TEXTURED KNIT MINI Dress 40 M
By Chanel
Located in Zürich, CH
100% authentic Chanel dress in white textured knit crafted from viscose (75%), cotton (17%), polyamide (7%) and elastane (1%), finished with contrasting black rib-knit trims that fra...
Beige & Multicolor Chanel Printed Sleeveless Silk Dress Size FR 42
By Chanel
Located in New York, NY
Beige and multicolor printed sleeveless silk dress by Chanel. Pointed collar. Pleating at bodice. Front faux pearl button and belt closures. 40" bust, 32" waist, 40" length, 14" shou...
Chanel Karl Lagerfeld Spring 1996 printed cotton dress
By Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel, Chanel
Located in CANNES, FR
Chanel X Karl Lagerfeld Spring/Summer 1996 Ready-to-Wear Collection Sky blue cotton sleeveless zip dress with printed motifs. Size 40. (Very small stains at the collar).
Chanel By Karl Lagerfeld Camellia Bow Printed Denim Dress, Spring-Summer 1987
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Geneva, CH
Karl Lagerfeld approached day wear at Chanel with a balance between tradition, structure and a playful use of the house's codes. This fun 1987 Spring-Summer printed dress is crafted ...
CHANEL 04P black cotton knitted pointelle floral sheer knee dress FR38 M
By Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
Located in Hong Kong, NT
CHANEL 04P black cotton knitted pointelle floral sheer knee dress FR38 M Reference: TGAS/E00526 Brand: Chanel Designer: Karl Lagerfeld Collection: Collection Material: Cotton Color: ...
Chanel Navy Blue Silk Vintage Sailor Dress
By Chanel
Located in Oakland, CA
Vintage navy blue silk Chanel dress with white trim which has a nautical feel. The dress is navy blue with white trim. The placket below the scarf features hidden buttons. There are ...
Chanel 2020 Collection Logo Tweed dress
By Chanel
Located in PARIS, FR
Iconic Chanel runway piece from the Spring/Summer 2020 collection. This striking midi dress features a refined white, blue, and red tweed construction with long sleeves and a sophist...
Chanel champagne sequins dress F/W 2001 FR 40
By Chanel
Located in Rubiera, RE
CHANEL dress F/W 2001 collection A-line dress in beige melange tweed and champagne sequins; on the front martingale belt with logo buttons; short sleeve; zip on the back. Size Fr 40...
2009-10 Chanel Cream Bouclé Dress with Frayed Trim
By Chanel
Located in Toronto, Ontario
2009-10 Chanel cream bouclé dress with frayed trim. Dating from the Karl Lagerfeld era, ready-to-wear collection. A great example of how Lagerfeld continued to reinterpret and at th...
CHANEL New Expressionist Fuchsia Dress with CC Charm 36 FR
By Chanel
Located in Hong Kong, HK
CHANEL · Collectible Vibrant Fuchsia Ribbed Knit Dress with CC Charm — Runway Edition · by Karl Lagerfeld ~ A study in radiance and rhythm, this Chanel ribbed knit dress channels th...