The Chanel Cruise collections have an interesting history. Gabrielle Chanel actually sailed and her love of the sport led to her inception of a 'cruise' collection in the 1920s. She was not the first to come up with this concept but hers were among the first to show a complete collection in a fully fledged show. They eventually fell off in popularity and it was not until Karl Lagerfeld took over Chanel that the cruise collections started again.

This Chanel dress from the 2002 Cruise collection is phenomenal. It successfully marries an unexpected stretch jersey fabric choice with insets and draped panels of silk chiffon. The cut is pure evening, while the fabric has a more relaxed feel. It makes it wonderfully easy to wear and very comfortable once on the body. the color is a deep midnight blue that almost appears to be black in certain lights. The fabric is light in weight but with enough substance to hold the shape and give it the wonderful curving shape through torso and the skirt that you see. The bodice of the dress is suspended by straps that curve over each shoulder.  One shoulder has looping panels of silk chiffon that you can allow to just fall over your arm or loop your arm through. At the top of that same shoulder sits a pretty silk chiffon flower. The bodice is fitted and a draped chiffon panel curves over it on both the front and back. The skirt is cut to hug your curves over the hips, narrows in and then flares out in a dramatic expanse of chiffon and jersey. The back flares out behind you in a bit of a train and the bottom half of the skirt has a more transparent feel with its chiffon panels. The ribbed jersey portions of the dress allows it to move and fit to accommodate you underneath and the dress moves wonderfully when it is on. The double C logo sits on the top of one shoulder strap for the perfect finish. The construction is immaculate. Excellent condition with one very minor note below.

Fully lined in a matching blue silk chiffon and it zips to close at the side with a hidden set zipper. The fabric does have some stretch.  There is one small vertical repair to the train. You would never notice it unless its laid out flat because of the way the fabric falls when it is on. It is tagged a Chanel 40

Bust: 17-18" flat across from side seam to side seam
Waist: 14-15" flat across from side seam to side seam
Hips: 19-21" flat across from side seam to side seam
Bodice: 15" from top of bodice to waist
Skirt: 46.5" from waist to front hem, 54" to the longest point at the back

Modern Sizing Equivalent: MED-LRG

Item# DD3006

Reference Photos: Cherie, Owner of Shrimpton Couture, by Erin Leydon. Cherie is wearing a Magnetic Midnight X Shrimpton Couture 'Star Bright' Headpiece -

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