In the Chanel Catwalk book they note that this collection was "presented on a large scale set with no less than four cat walks - two electric blue and two bright pink - stretching to almost the length of a football field.... The collection focused on floral prints and bright colours of luminous blue, yellow, red, and green shades that would be echoed in Lagerfeld's next Couture collection. The star of the show with Chanel's trademark quilting famously used on the iconic 2.55 handbag. Here it was reinvented in a larger-scale and squarer versions, almost like a chocolate bar, and transported onto sleeveless tops, shorts, jackets, mini dresses and most strikingly, voluminous gloves with matching handbags." The twin of this chic black jersey dress was one of the star looks of the show. On the catwalk it was paired with a yellow underskirt and those big squared off quilted gloves and handbag. It is extremely easy to wear and as you can see in the runway photos it is a dress that by adding great or unusual accessories you can easily give it instant impact. I love it

The dress is so easy and simple to wear. You just slip it over your head, button the back of the neck and go. The black jersey fabric is a light in weight with a slight stretch to it. This gives it an incredible drape and ease as it glides over the body. The fabric also has a bit of stretch to it which just adds to that extremely easy feel once on the body. The neck is scooped at the front and the button at the back of the neck tops an open keyhole. It skims over your bust, waist and hips and then widens out quite a bit to the hem. There are panels inf the jersey running down each side and this adds to its movement as you move. You can see in the video the incredible movement the dress has. The front has a high slit and you can see on the runway photos how he added that pop of colour by layering the dress over an inner skirt piece. If you wear it as is without anything under it you would get more a flash of leg. There is another slit at the back and the back hem falls in points that are cut longer then the front skirt. I love how the sides are cut extra low and square. It  is incredible sexy to see this unexpected bit of skin. That simple silhouette has this easy and chic feel to it while the incredible movement the dress has gives it impact. It looks to have been worn very little if at all. Excellent condition

 Unlined and slip on to wear with a Chanel logo button over hook & eye at the back of the neck. Tagged a Chanel 40. The fabric does have stretch so I've given the comfortable range of movement below while laying flat.

Waist: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19-22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 55" from top of shoulder to shortest point of front center hem, 64" to the longest point of the back hem
Front slit: 29" from hem up

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4418

Reference Photos/Video: (1-5) Spring 2000 Chanel Runway.  /  (6-7) From the book "Chanel: Catwalk".

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

This is the twin of the dress that Anne Hathaway wore to the premiere of Brokeback Mountain in 2006. It is from the Cruise 2006 collection and it is extraordinary. For this show Karl Lagerfeld invited his guess to the Place de la Concorde. He had a fleet of green vintage buses adorned with Chanel logos and these transported his guests on a ride through Paris. Models paraded down the aisle among the passengers and at scheduled stops they would switch buses so that everyone saw the entire collection. Karl said at the time that he 'used to love riding the bus in Paris as a school boy' and that was the inspiration behind the idea of the show. Lagerfeld wanted the collection to be lighthearted and easy and to be a tribute to Paris. This is a stunning dress from that season and I love the tie in with Anne. It makes it that much more special.

First thing that will strike you about this dress is that it is almost shockingly light in weight. It is almost a surprise to see it with all of the embellishments on it and then pick it up and have it feel like you are holding a cloud of silk. The silk is so light and so fine that it feels like magic. It is a deep blue colour and the entire dress is made out of two layers of it with an inner silk chiffon layer to give it a touch of opacity. The dress falls from the shoulders with straps that curve up and around you. It is scooped at the front and back in a simple almost tank style. The bodice is meant to skim over you and there are built in round cups to help add a touch of coverage over the breasts. The top layer of tulle on the bodice is a separate piece that is tacked into place around the waist. The dress flows out below that and the skirt widens out as it reaches the hem. Around the lower part of the skirt there are built in panels of tulle set in triangles all the way around. This is a nod to the old Hollywood dresses of the 1930s and it's a stunning addition to the dress. They give the lower part of the dress tremendous movement and volume when you move. The palettes that cover the dress are the most striking part of the dress. They are done in soft muted pastels that range from gold to blue to pink. Each individual oversized sequin has a ombre affect on it. They are finished with a more muted metallic finish and are tremendously beautiful. These are overlapped to highlight around the neckline arms and around the waist and then they are scattered in rows down and over the bodice and skirt. They are denser around the hips and then are spread father apart as they reach the hem of the skirt. The panels that are inset into the skirt for volume are just the tulle alone so that you get this nice contrast when you move. The dress came with a matching shawl made of the same tulle. It's huge size lets you wear it almost like a cape over your shoulders. It is also so light and fine that you can wrap it around your neck, use it as a head scarf or as a turban. It is just phenomenal and I am very happy to also have a reference video of Anne in the dress so you can see how beautifully this moves. No matter how good it looks on her or on the dress form nothing will prepare you for the way it feels when you have it in hand. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a blue silk chiffon closes with a bat hidden sets zipper. It appears to have been worn very little if at all.  The bias cut tulle does give it a bit of range. Tagged is Chanel 40

Bust: 16-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 23" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 60" from top of shoulder to hem
Scarf: 68" x 74"

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4385

Reference Photos: Anne Hathaway in Chanel at the premiere of Brokeback Mountain, December 2006.

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

The twin this dress walk the runway on none other than Liya Kebede who stunned in it. It was also photoed on Sophie Thatcher for Numero Magazine. It is an absolutely stunning dress and no matter how good it looks in these Photos it looks 1 million times better in real life. The photos do not fully capture the feather light fabric of the dress and how it moves. In the review of the show that season Vogue noted that Karl's runway was decked out with a red carpet. The show launched with a parade of super models walking the red carpet 'while men ran alongside them popping flashbulbs. The message was clear, in an era when celebrity dressing has become so over exposed, it's only exciting when an actress has exceptional talent in style'. This was in acknowledgement to the fact that Nicole Kidman was there with Baz Luhrmann and they had just starred in Chanel's new advertising campaign for Chanel No. 5. I love that the runway photos give you an idea of the incredible movement of the skirt and how the bodice will sit on an actual person. The runway dress had a long brooch added for styling and this would be something easy to do if you loved that look.

This is such a stunning dress and it might even make an amazing wedding dress for the bride looking for a non-traditional choice or as an alternative dress in a more extended wedding celebration. And of course it could also be worn to any event. The first thing that you will notice when you see this dress in person is how incredibly light it is. It is a dream to wear. All of the panels and elements to the dress simply just straight into place in float around you. This also gives it amazing movement. Slightest bit of air will pick up the panels and make them float around you. The front plunges and because my dress form has no bust it looks like it sits underneath the bust but went on an actual person it will be pulled up more and sit across properly like you can see in the reference photos. A tiny little lace strap curves over each shoulder and then the sleeve drops from there. Attached to the sleeve is a panel of silk chiffon that extends over the top part of your arms and then around the back for a bit of a cape feel. The front criss crosses over itself and everywhere there is a seam there is a panel of that little net lace ribbon for detailing. These cross over your body from just under the bust all the way down to past the hips. Starting at the waist panels are set along those scenes that drape down so you have a touch of volume at the side. Another panel sits at the back and then more panels of chiffon are attached all the way around the lower skirt. The front is cut a little shorter so you see a flash of leg and then the back is cut long so that it trails out behind you I love the photo on the runway that shows the dress from behind. As you walk you get this sweeping feel created by the panel around the upper back and then those floating panels trailing behind you. The colour is a pale nude ballerina blush pink and the fabric has a touch of crepe texture to it. It is absolutely beautiful. None of the photos here give it full justice. Excellent condition with one minor note below

The dress is lined with a second doubled layer of a matching coloured silk chiffon. The inner layer closes with a zipper and then the exterior layer of the dress buttons in place over that with a series of enamel double C logo buttons. Some of the buttons have slight patina to them. The bias cut should allow it to work on a range of sizes. It will just drape more on a smaller frame. The colour is a slightly more dustier pink in person. It's better. One button was replaced with a non Chanel button but it is hidden under the ruffle so you would never see it  Tagged a vintage Chanel 44

Bust: 19-20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Inner waist: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 42" from top of shoulder to shortest part of the front hem and 68" to the longest point at the back

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD4364 

Reference Photos: (1-5) Spring 2005 Chanel Runway, Look 55. Model Liya Kebede (6) Daria Werbowy by Karl 

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

This is an incredible example of Karl Lagerfeld's Haute Couture work. I am so glad this was a runway piece because it was almost impossible to photo correctly on the dress form. The elaborate sleeves that you see coming out from under the jacket are actually separate pieces altogether. You can see on the runway shots how beautifully they sit on an actual arm. My client opted for a more sleek jacket that did not take her in it at the waist as much as the runway look did and a more classic trouser. If you preferred that cinched in waist look you could easily belt the jacket. The simpler silhouette of this jacket allows for more versatility and styling. Sarah Mower said on her review of the show that; ‘It was pure Chanel, crystallized to a point of perfection only witnessed in haute couture…. Karl Lagerfeld began this mostly black-and-white collection with a new treatment of the Chanel suit…. These were paired with flat white go-go boots, which were not referenced from the sixties, but from a pair Coco (always ahead of her time) was wearing in a photograph from the decade before. That allusion and others demonstrate just how deftly Lagerfeld—Chanel historian par excellence—marshals his knowledge. He sprinkles the camellias, the satin bows, the organdy collars, and the bound edges so lightly that they become playful thrills—not belabored underscorings of theme or "brand identity."…. Lagerfeld reinvents the house signatures to pique the fantasies of today's young woman—and that he does just beautifully.’ 

The lines of this suit are crisp and sharp and the tailoring is immaculate. This is sharply contrasted with the dandified collar and arm pieces. It is incredible to have the full suit. This set includes the jacket, pants, inner top, collar and both arm pieces. The suit is made from a fine black wool that is light in weight and has a slight texture. It is just heavy enough to hold the shape beautifully. The jacket is cut to have a slight oversize feel through the body. The shoulders are shaped and the sleeves fall to just past the elbow. There is no collar. The neckline comes down the front in a simple V and then it zips to close down the remainder of the front. Two sleek little pockets are stacked on top of each other on either side of the waist for some detailing. It is cut to be more straight through the body and then flares out slightly at the hem, falling to just past the hip. The pants are classic and simple in their cut. They are flat fronted and cut to taper down to the ankles. A sharp fold runs down the front and the back of each leg. The inside of the suit is as immaculate as the outside and it is entirely made by hand. Every stitch is perfection. Under that goes a little sleeveless ivory silk top with a small neat collar. The top is easy fitting through the body. The top three buttons are finished with rhinestones and enamel and then the rest of the buttons are hidden under a flap of silk. Three additional pieces come with the suit. The first is a detachable silk organdy collar that goes around the neck and adds a romantic flounce with a large soft bow and ties. This gives the suit an unexpected touch of drama. Next is a pair of detachable sleeves. The sleeves are also made out of the same silk organdy as the collar and slip on the lower arm. Both those and the collar have a nod to the regency era when this type of sleeve and collar were all the rage. The sleeves are finished with a row of those beautiful buttons and the ends are ruffled. Every piece has been entirely made by hand and all the proper Chanel couture labels and numbered tapes are present. I love that with this one set you have so many pieces to mix and match with other things you own. It allows you to be able to sprinkle a bit of vintage Haute Couture throughout your wardrobe. This is a rare opportunity to own a piece of true couture by one of the most important designers of our lifetime. Excellent condition with a minor note below. 

The jacket and pants are hand lined in a fine black silk. The jacket closes with a hidden zipper under the front panel of fabric. The pockets appear to be functional and all four still have their original tacking in place. The pants zip to close with a hidden set side zipper. The toppings to close at the front. The collar snaps into place and the sleeves slip onto the arm with functional buttons running down the cuffs. The edges of the collar and cuffs have intentional raw edges. I see one small area of breakage in the silk on the edge of one cuff. Please see the photo after all of the label shots. I see one rhinestone missing off one button on each cuff and one on the top. All of the pieces are made and finished by hand to couture standards. Proper couture labels present with couture tape are present on all pieces but the sleeves. Sourced from the original couture client 

Jacket
Sleeves: 18"
Shoulders: 15.5"
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 22.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 34.5" from neck to head 

Pant
Waist: 15.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 39" from waist to hem with 1.5" turned under
Inseam: 28.5" from inner seam to hem
Rise: 15.5" from back waist to inner seam

Top
Bust: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 24" from neck to head 

Collar
14" around and the snaps could be adjusted up or down a bit if needed

Cuffs
Length: 13" including the extended cuff, 9" without
10" around the upper edge and narrows to 7" around the wrist

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4263

Reference Photos/Video: Spring 2006 Chanel Couture Runway, Look 9. Model: Svetlana.

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

The twin of this set in a different colour walked the runway for the Fall 2000 show for Look 11. My client ordered hers in black and that simple colour change makes it incredibly timeless. The suit is beautiful and so chic. I also have Look 17 from the show in the shop that has a longer jacket from the same client. True Haute Couture pieces by Chanel are an extraordinary find as they are so very rare and hard to come by. It is an incredibly beautiful and historically important example of the work that Karl was doing for Chanel during this time period. It is absolutely gorgeous to see in person.

I love that this is a suit with a dress and jacket rather than a jacket and skirt. It makes it so versatile and you can mix and match both pieces and wear them in so many different ways. Both of the pieces are constructed from a find black wool that has a touch of texture. It is absolutely beautiful. The inner dress is cut in the sleek and simple shift that skims over the body and flares out slightly as it nears the ham. Clever and subtle seams shape the dress around you so that it's very flattering. I love the seaming detail at the neck to give it the feel that the fabric crosses over itself. It is hand lined in a rich black silk so feels like heaven on. The jacket slips over that and has slight shoulder pads for a touch of structure and the sleeves are long. It has meticulous seaming set in curving lines to create the shape that you see. There is a simple hook and eye closure at the neck and two functional pockets on each side. It is hand lined in that same high end black silk and there is a signature Chanel chain set around the hem. What really makes it exceptional is that ruffled piece that goes from the neck right to the hem. The ruffle gradually narrows down as it reaches the bottom hem and this adds an unexpected touch of detail and softness to the jacket. It also creates movement as it slightly moves as you move. On the dress this same fringe detail circles around the hem. When the two pieces are worn together this extra little detail softens the feel of the set and gives it a nice pretty and romantic touch. This is a stunning and timeless example of Chanel's Haute Couture work. It is meticulously made and it is a beautiful piece showcasing the work that the Chanel ateliers are capable of and of Karl's time there. Excellent condition.

Both the dress and the jacket are hand lined in a fine black silk. The dress closes with a back hidden set zipper that follows along an offset seam so that it looks to have no closure at all. The jacket has a hook and eye at the top of the neck. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Both pieces have an appropriate Haute Couture label and numbered tape present. Both pieces are completely made by hand

Jacket
Sleeve: 23.5"
Slightly inset shoulders: 15"
Bust: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 24" from neck to hem

Dress
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 38" from shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4177

Reference Photo: Fall 2000 Chanel Haute Couture Runway Collection. Look 11

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

This is a stunning set whose twin walked the runway that season. The set is incredibly beautiful and chic once on the body. Vogue noted that "The reinvention of the iconic Chanel suit began with fluted knee-length coats, worn, with ropes of glistening pearls at the neckline" and closed by stating that "This was a triumphant collection for Lagerfeld, as realistically wearable as it was dreamily desirable." I love that we found both runway photos and some video footage for you to see how dynamic this is on the body. True Haute Couture pieces by Chanel are an extraordinary find as they are so very rare and hard to come by. It is an incredibly beautiful and historically important example of the work that Karl was doing for Chanel during this time period. It is absolutely gorgeous to see in person.

I love how diverse and different this set feels depending on whether you wear the pieces together or separately. The set is made up of two pieces. A gorgeous to-the-knee coat with a chic little dress underneath that. Both of the pieces are constructed from a surprisingly light weight deep blue boucle. This fabric was actually a centerpiece of the show and a new step forward in the way they made their tweeds.  Karl wanted them to feel almost weightless and easy to wear once on the body. The dress mixes that with a silk chiffon bodice to carry on the feeling he strove for with these pieces. “Fragility,” he said. “Everything is almost weightless.” The inner dress is cut in the sleek and simple shape that skims over the body and flares out slightly as it nears the hem. The skirt is made out of the same deep blue tweed as the jacket and then the top is attached to that and is made out of a deep blue silk chiffon. The top is all about delicacy. It is made of two layers of the silk. Each sleeve is long and ends in a neat little buttoned cuff. Both the front and the back are detailed with flat knife pleats. I love how the front of the skirt dips up into the top and at the back it dips down. This little shaping detail just make it lie even better on the body. The workmanship is stunning. The coat slips on over that and has light shoulder pads for a touch of structure. The sleeves are long. It has no closures except for a hook and eye at the neck. This allows it to flare out around you and gives it a softness as you move. The jacket is incredibly detailed. It has four top set pockets on the front and each has a row of glass beads along the upper edge. The same glass beads circle the hem of each cuff and go around the collar. The glass beads cleverly act as a weight for the coat so that it always falls perfectly once on the body. I love the low scoop of the front neckline and the ribbons that sit at the base of the neck. You can just let them hang loosely or tie them. Ribbons also sit on the edge of each sleeve and again you can leave them loose or have them tied into a pretty bow for a more formal feel. The jacket and the skirt of the dress are lined in a high-quality black silk. This Chanel set is exceptional and is true Haute Couture. It is a beautiful piece showcasing the work that the Chanel ateliers are capable of and of Karl's time there. Excellent condition.

Both the skirt of the dress and the jacket are fully lined in a fine black silk. The top is made from two layers of silk chiffon. The dress closes with a series of silk covered buttons at the back and each cuff has two silk covered buttons and loops. The jacket has a hook and eye at the top of the neck and at each cuff. Both pieces have an appropriate Haute Couture label and numbered tape present. Extremely faint spot on the front bodice. Slight pilling here and there on the jacket but I am being picky.

The Chanel boucle is created with their proprietary method of weaving that they themselves describe as "by weaving the warp and weft, using a variety of different kinds of threads which creates a unique and somewhat irregular appearance. The warp – vertically strung – is the background of the fabric, the base that will support the assembly of materials. There can be up to 12 different threads used for a single warp. The weft – woven horizontally – gives the fabric its unique character and can have an unlimited number of threads. Tight, perforated, textured, thick, with a relief, plaited, random, twill… the potential number of effects is endless". This technique gives you that classic Chanel look.

Jacket
Sleeve: 24"
Slightly dropped shoulders: 16.5"
Bust: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 39" from neck to hem

Dress
Sleeves: 22.5"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 38" from shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4147

Reference Photos/Video: Spring 2003 Chanel Couture Runway, Look 3.

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

Other then the colour this is the twin of the set that walked the runway for the Fall 2000 as Look 17. The set is incredibly beautiful and chic once on the body. I also have Look 11 from the show in the shop now that has a longer jacket from the same client. True Haute Couture pieces by Chanel are an extraordinary find as they are so very rare and hard to come by. It is an incredibly beautiful and historically important example of the work that Karl was doing for Chanel during this time period. It is absolutely gorgeous to see in person.

I love that this set has both the light car length coat and a chic inner dress. It makes it so versatile and you can mix and match both pieces and wear them in so many different ways. Both of the pieces are constructed from a stunning deep coral pink and moss green version of the Chanel signature boucle fabric. From a distance it combines to give a more rust coloured feel but as you get closer you see the two distinctive colours. It is absolutely beautiful. It is then edged with a fringe made of the two wools. On the jacket this fringing follows all of the edges of the coat and then also circles each cuff. On the dress it circles around the hem. When the two pieces are worn together this extra little detail softens the feel of the set and gives it a nice pretty and romantic touch. The inner dress is cut in the sleek and simple shift that skims over the body and flares out slightly as it nears the ham. Clever and subtle seams shape the dress around you so that it's very flattering. It is hand lined in a rich deep green silk. The jacket slips over that and has shoulder pads for a structure and  the sleeves are long. It has meticulous seaming set in curving lines to create the shape that you see. It has no closure except for a hook and eye at the neck. What really makes it exceptional is that ruffled piece that goes from the neck right to the hem. The ruffle gradually narrows down as it reaches the bottom hem. This adds an unexpected touch of detail and softness to the jacket. It also creates movement as it slightly moves as you move. The jacket is lined in that same extremely high-quality green silk and there is a signature Chanel chain set around the hem. This is a classic Chanel set that will never go out of style and it is exceptional. The fact that it is true Haute Couture is just the icing on the cake. It is meticulously made to the highest standards. It is a beautiful piece showcasing the work that the Chanel ateliers are capable of and of Karl's time there. Excellent condition.

Both the dress and the jacket are fully lined in a fine deep green silk. The dress closes with a back hidden set zipper. The jacket has a hook and eye at the top of the neck. It appears to have been worn very little if at all. Both pieces have an appropriate Haute Couture label and numbered tape present. Both pieces are completely made by hand

The Chanel boucle is created with their proprietary method of weaving that they themselves describe as "by weaving the warp and weft, using a variety of different kinds of threads which creates a unique and somewhat irregular appearance. The warp – vertically strung – is the background of the fabric, the base that will support the assembly of materials. There can be up to 12 different threads used for a single warp. The weft – woven horizontally – gives the fabric its unique character and can have an unlimited number of threads. Tight, perforated, textured, thick, with a relief, plaited, random, twill… the potential number of effects is endless". This technique gives you that classic Chanel look.

Jacket
Sleeve: 24"
Slightly inset shoulders: 14.5"
Bust: 19" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 20" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 39" from neck to hem

Waist: 17" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: to 19.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 38" from shoulder to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4142

Reference Photos: Fall 2000 Chanel Couture Runway, Look 17. Model: Tetyana Brazhnyk.

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

I am starting to work through a collection of couture pieces that I am handling at the moment for my client and all she could recall for this piece was this it was her mothers and that it was from the 1990s. I have not yet found a photo reference for this one but when I do I will add it and send to the new owner. The set is incredibly beautiful on the body. True Haute Couture pieces by Chanel are an extraordinary find as they are so very rare and hard to come by. It is an incredibly beautiful example and historically important example of the work that the Chanel ateliers were doing during this time period. It is absolutely gorgeous to see in person.

The ability that this set has to transform once on the body is fabulous. With the jacket on the set has that classic Chanel suit feel and it feels very elegant and reserved. But once you take the jacket off it takes on more of the feel of a more sensual evening piece. The dress has that easy dropped feel of the twenties that Karl so often touched upon in reference to Coco's initial designs for the house. Both pieces are made from a deep blue silk organza. This fabric allows it to keep the shape that he intended while still keeping both pieces extremely light in weight. The dress is dropped from the shoulder from wide straps that curve up and over each shoulder. The bodice is easy fitting and cut to skim over you with a shallow V at the front. It is hand pieced together in a pattern of panels that are meticulously sewn together. The waist is dropped and then from under that the pleated skirt flows out to the floor with incredible movement. The combination of this fabric choice with the pleats gives the skirt incredible movement. The pleats open and flare outward as they reach the hem and this allows the skirt to swing out around you. Two layers of silk tulle are built-in underneath the skirt to add to and create the volume that you see. The lightness of the fabric and the pleats combine to make the skirt move at your slightest movement. I think it's incredible to see this on and moving. The jacket sits over top of this and it has a soft and simple cut. The neckline is cut wide across to follow the neckline of the dress underneath. The collar is wide and notched for that bit of a 20s feel to the design. The sleeves are long and each has a notch that runs up the inside seam. It hooks and snaps to close down the front. It does have structure but it's meant to look soft on the body. There are small shoulder pads in each shoulder but they are soft and light. There is a signature Chanel chain at the base of the jacket so that it hangs perfectly. All of the work is meticulously done by hand to Haute Couture standards. It is an incredible piece of Chanel couture. It's very beautiful and even better in person. Great condition with a note below

The jacket is fully lined in a blue silk and closes with hidden snaps and hook and eye at the front. A signature Chanel chain runs around the inside hem. The dress is lined in the same silk organza through the bodice and then the skirt has two layers of silk tulle. One layer is black and the other is a matching blue. The dress closes with a zipper and then there is a separate set of snaps to close on each of the three layers of the skirt. An inner waist stay hooks to close. Some of the edges of the seams have slightly faded. Mainly on the jacket and bodice of the dress. It gives it a kind of degrade look. It almost feels intentional because it's so even everywhere but I can't say for sure that it is. Please see the shots after the label shots and on the general shots as well. Some of the pleats have softened slightly in the skirt. Both pieces have an appropriate Haute Couture number and tape

Jacket
Sleeves: 24"
Shoulders: 15"
Bust: 18.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 16" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 22" flat across from side seam to side seam
Length: 24" from neck to hem

Dress
Bust: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: open
Bodice: 18" from top of shoulder to slightly dropped waist
Skirt: 42" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD4139

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

Fall 1983 marked the first fall ready-to-wear collection that Karl did for the label. So any piece from this first year is now a part of fashion history. This first year was instrumental to what Chanel was to become as a brand. He pulled inspiration from the twenties and thirties, something he continued to do throughout his career, and mixed it with that classic Chanel feel. He said at the time 'Even if she never did it this way, it’s very Chanel, no?'.... We were very excited to find the reference shot included here that has a variation of this dress made in a black lace. Documentation on these early collections is rare. It is absolutely gorgeous in person

This Chanel dress is so good. It is also a rare piece from Karl's first year at Chanel which adds to its collectability. The cut of the dress is timeless. The dress is made from a layers of black bias cut chiffon. The layers float over each other and play on transparency of the fabric. The bias cut makes it incredibly comfortable once on the body. The fabric is light in weight but with enough substance to hold the that wonderful curved shape that you see. The bodice skims over you and has a V neckline. The neckline is edged in a black satin ribbon. I love the little bow that sits at the base of the V for a very Chanel feel. The back is also dips into a V but there it is cut shallow and wide so that it sits higher up on the back of the neck. Attached to the ribbon edging of the neckline is a silk chiffon caplet that cascades all the way around you. It falls over each arm and drapes down the back to the waist. When you move even the slightest it moves with you for a pretty effect. The waist is seamed and cinched. The skirt falls under that and is cut to follow the curve of the hips. I love the little slant pockets that edged in the same black silk ribbon. These sit on each side of the hip. At about the knee the skirt flares out in a dramatic expanse of silk chiffon. More silk ribbon is set to separate the lower skirt and this last bottom part flares out and around you. It has a more transparent feel to it since it is only layers of chiffon.  When you walk the movement it creates is incredible. The final perfect touch are the little satin covered buttons that run all the way down the back and the final flat little flat blow at the base of the ribbon detailing. Beautifully constructed and it looks to have been worn very little if at all. It is an amazing example of Karl's very earliest work for Chanel. Excellent condition

Fully lined in a matching black silk chiffon and it buttons to close at the back. It is tagged a Chanel 42. I see a repair along the hem. The bias cut fabric does have some give between the ribbons.

Bust: to 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 13" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 17.5" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 17" from top of shoulder to waist, and does come up a bit once on
Skirt: 41" from waist to hem

Modern Sizing Equivalent: SML-MED

Item# DD3867

Reference Photo: Fall 1983 Chanel.

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.

This Chanel hat is from the Fall of 1996 and it is gorgeous. I found a editorial shot of Stella Tenant wearing a version of it that was shot by Karl himself. The hat is so dramatic and easy to wear. It is meant to sit lightly on the top of the head and then you can play with which direction you want the feathers to face. It can be worn with the feathers towards the front, either side, or to the back and sit as high or low as you want. This gives it so much versatility in styling it and the feel of it completely changes depends on how you place it on your head. It has its original attached comb in place. The feathers are full and glossy. It is stunning. Excellent condition

Secures to the head with a comb. The base is a black felt wool. Because of the half hat / cap design is should fit any size head. Each side of the triangle shape measures about 8" long.

Item# A339

Reference Photo: Stella Tennant by Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel Fall 1996.

This garment has been professionally cleaned, pressed and is odor free. Thoroughly checked over before shipping, it will be ready to wear upon arrival.