House of Chanel, design house

Under Lagerfeld’s direction at Chanel, many of the signatures set down by “Coco” in the 1930s were carried on. Such is the case with this example and its use of the color black, delicate lace, and a figure-conforming silhouette. Across this gallery is a very similar Chanel gown from 1958. Made for haute couture client and donor Deeda Blair, this custom-designed gown reflects both the traditions of the House of Chanel and the client’s tastes. According to Blair, she’d “rather have very few clothes and have them be as wonderful as possible.”