The little black dress (LBD) was popularizedand effectively invented as a modern fashion stapleby French designer Coco Chanel in 1926. At a time when black was largely associated with mourning, Chanel introduced The Little Black Dress: A Timeless Classic by Chanel Digital Print Organza Shrug With Black Gown Clothsvilla DRESS COCKTAIL PARTY EVENING SHRUG BLACK LONG SLEEVE MADE IN EUROPE S M L XL 2XL eBay House of Chanel Dress French The Metropolitan Museum of Art