This is a gorgeous dress by Karl Lagerfeld for Chanel and its twin walked the runway for the Fall 1998 season. On the runway is was shown with boots and a loose jacket over it but it is as good or better worn on its own. If nothing else it shows how versatile a great LBD like this can be. It was also amazing to find a runway photo from this time period and I love that with it you can see how lovely the dress is on an actual body. It is very hard to find photos from these earlier collections and having that additional documentation makes this dress that much more special.

This is an absolute stunning dress from 1998 Chanel fall collection. My client knew that it was a runway piece and after sifting through hundreds of photos we finally spotted it in the photo added here for reference. Everything about it has that chic Chanel feel that makes many of Karl's designs classics forever. It is very beautiful in person and the simple lines and cut make it the kind of dress that you can wear multiple times and the styling and accessories you add will make it feel different each time. It is made of very light black wool crepe. The dress is almost weightless and it drapes over the body perfectly. The dress is actually a strapless sheath that has panels added over it that create that one shoulder silhouette. There is a long panel added to the bodice on both the back and the front and these extend out to meet at the top of the shoulder at the one side. This leaves the other shoulder bare and exposed. Under that is an additional strap that helps to hold everything perfectly in place. What is interesting about this one is that each panel on each side is cut slightly different. The dress is so well made that you can actually wear it either way and by switching it around you get a slightly different shape and feel. I have photoed it both ways for you to see. Its like getting two dresses in one.  The waist is slightly shaped and brought in for a bot of shape but there is no seam that breaks the eye. You could even add a belt if you wanted to add shape and change up the look more. The skirt falls under that to the floor and has an inset panel on one side. This extends down past the hem for a slight trailing effect. It also perfectly offsets the one shoulder feel. It is light in weight so as you move it moves around you. It is a clever way to add movement and interest to the skirt without sacrificing the lean line he has created. It is just stunning. Excellent condition

The main part of the dress is lined with a Chanel logo embossed fine black silk. It closes with a hidden set side zipper. Tagged a Chanel 36 from collection 98A

Waist: 15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 14" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 44" from waist to shortest part of hem, 51" to the longest

Modern Sizing Equivalent: XS-SML

Item# DD4070

Reference Photo: Fall 1998 Chanel Collection Presentation.

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