The radical power of the little black dress BBC News Coco Chanel is credited with introducing the little black dress. Quipoquiz 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 Chanel created the little black dress and changed fashion for good. It is so important, it's the star of a major exhibition South China Morning Post The Little Black Dress from Chanel to Givenchy Glamour Daze