CHANEL SPRING / SUMMER 1995 'BARBIE COLLECTION' PINK RHINESTONE CRYSTAL CHAIN BELT

Gold-plated chain belt from Chanel’s Spring/Summer 1995 ready-to-wear runway show under the artistic direction of Karl Lagerfeld.

“By 1995 good taste, which had always been associated with the house of Chanel, was no longer an immutable quality.” noted Laird Borelli Persson for Vogue, “Karl Lagerfeld liked it that way. No one seemed to enjoy pushing good taste to the edge of bad more, and he had a field day with this push and pull at his fall 1995 show. Models, teetering on Frederick’s of Hollywood–style platform sandals with spike heels, wore deconstructions of the classics. Abbreviated-midriff baring jackets weren’t all that shocking, but skirts with slits and zips designed to reveal matching tweed panties were piquant. Cheekier still were the bedazzled bras and thongs worn as bikinis or under fine black knits that hardly inhibited their sparkle. Corselet-like inserts on suits and as waistbands on skirts further played on the lingerie theme.That Lagerfeld was playing a game was suggested by his use of synthetics. Double C’s were appliquéd on clear totes; cellophane was used as a headdress; and a maxi-size Chanel bag, the pièce de résistance, was made of Astroturf. It would probably bring in a mint at auction today”.

Victoire de Castellane’s bold aesthetic and playful approach to designs led her to leading Chanel’s costume jewelry department into an era of vibrancy and energetic ingenuity under Karl Lagerfeld’s creative direction. This gold-plated chain belt is in good condition with minor wear to the backside, as photographed.

L: 35.1 IN

Made in France.