"Style endures, fashion changes," as Coco Chanel once said. There's no denying that the little black dress, or LBD, fits this description. However, where did the little black dress come from? We'll just state now, that there's a reason Coco Chanel has already been brought up in this piece.
The majority of women's wardrobes include the little black dress, which is an evening classic. It's elegant and appropriate for dressy occasions, but it can also—and this is new—be worn to a less formal event with trainers or other less formal footwear.
In this article, we take a deep dive into the history of the little black dress, Coco Chanel’s impact on the LBD and how the iconic wardrobe staple has evolved over time.
So sit back, and let’s explore the history of the little black dress…
The first little black dress
The LBD first entered the scene when Coco Chanel unveiled her design in Vogue in 1926. Labelled as "Chanel's Ford" by Vogue. Just like the Model T, the little black dress was affordable and easy to wear for ladies from many walks of life.
This is a key point in the revealing of the little black dress – it was something most women could easily obtain. Which was new to the world of fashion in the Roaring Twenties. In the years when the world was coming out of the First World War, women could dress for fun.
Of course, there were other black dresses before Coco Chanel’s Vogue unveiling, but they clearly did not have the same impact. This was partially down to the fact black dresses worn by women up to this point were all done due to mourning. Women would wear black, dresses in particular, as a sign they were grieving.
When Coco Chanel's outfit appeared in Vogue, everything changed. Little black dresses swiftly rose to popularity as among the most significant and influential clothing items. Even throughout the Great Depression of the 1930s, it remained popular.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
We simply couldn’t discuss the little black dress without bringing up Breakfast at Tiffany’s! Fast-forward to 1961, and Hubert de Givenchy created one of the most iconic little black dresses ever worn. Audrey Hepburn starred in Truman Capote’s Breakfast at Tiffany’s, and she famously wore the dress designed by Hubert de Givenchy.
The dress was worn in the film's opening scene and has been seen as the peak of sophistication. Sleeveless and paired with elbow-length gloves, Hepburn wore a dress that would go down in history.
Princess Diana’s little black dress
Also known as “Princess Diana’s Revenge Dress” following the separation between Princess Diana and the (at the time) Prince of Wales, is a dress that would soon become a symbol of ‘moving on’.
Princess Diana debuted her off-the-shoulder evening dress in 1994, and the world felt like it could have momentarily stopped turning. The dress, designed by Christina Stambollian, certainly won’t be forgotten in a hurry. It goes to show that a little black dress can speak a thousand words.
The evolution of the little black dress
When we talk about the original little black dress, it is natural to think of Coco Chanel’s Ford and Hubert de Givenchy creation for Breakfast at Tiffany’s—but let’s consider how far we have come in fashion since then…
The modern little black dress
Now, the modern little black dress has matured, taking inspiration from Chanel and Royalty and honing its own style.
Albeit a little more relaxed, the LBD is often worn on the red carpet and out to town by the likes of style icons and you and us alike.
Discover the best dresses with Nova of London
Designers and fashion brands have been recreating and emulating the classic LBD following these iconic dresses for years and will continue to do so.
So where does that leave the fashion industry now? We’re Nova of London and we pride ourselves on bringing you up-to-date fashion items for wholesale use. This is exactly why we supply the best best dresses and little black dresses.
Shop the Nova of London collection of Spring & Summer Wholesale Dresses and Winter & Autumn Wholesale Dresses today to complete your stock.
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