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 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 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 OW Sandy Chiffon Maxi Dress Black Caviar