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 A Coco Chanel Little Black Dress, released in 1926. Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, NYC. Gift of Mrs. Georges Gudefin In 1926 Coco Chanel published a picture of a short, simple black dress in American Vogue. It was calf length, straight and decorated only by a few diagonal lines. Vogue called it "Chanel's Black Shrug Bloomingdale's Kristine Black Lace Panel Cut Out Maxi Dress with Shrug A Coco Chanel Little Black Dress, released in 1926. Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology, NYC. Gift of Mrs. Georges Gudefin