Brief History of Chanel Purses
When Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel launched her first perfume – N°5 – in 1921, she was already a force to be reckoned with in the Paris fashion world. From haute couture fashion and handbags to beauty products, each facet of the Chanel brand was, and still is, inspired by Coco Chanel’s revolutionary spirit. After having no choice but to close its doors during World War II,Coco Chanel reopened her Couture House in Paris in 1954, signifying her lasting comeback. The following year, Chanel designed her most iconic purse to date: the “2.55”. By the 1960s, Chanel was a global, household name, worn by the most prominent women of the era. Coco Chanel passed away in 1971, but her legacy lived on. The arrival of Karl Lagerfeld in 1983 was a pivotal moment for the Chanel brand, as he breathed new life into the iconic fashion house, designing for the modern woman. The success of Chanel is largely attributed to the entrepreneurial spirit and creativity of its founder, and the abilities of her successors to reinvent with timeless allure. The House of Chanel has created some of the most legendary fashion pieces of all time, continuing to withstand the test of time.
1 | Chanel 2.55 Flap: A Timeless Classic
An innovator in a realm of her own, Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel reimagined fashion for the modern woman, breaking boundaries with each item she designed. In February 1955, Coco Chanel created the 2.55 Flap Purse (hence the name), and history was made. The Chanel 2.55 Flap signified fashion liberation: it was the first bag made for women to come with a shoulder strap, freeing them from the constraints of the impractical clutch. Rebellious and controversial, this Chanel purse was a revelation, and women were immediately drawn in. With an emphasis on practicality, each detail – from the adjustable chain strap to the accessible back slip pocket – caters to women’s every need. The Chanel bag that changed it all, the 2.55 Flap also manifested two iconic Chanel purse details: diamond-stitched quilting (inspired by men’s jackets at the racetrack), and the deep burgundy hue of the interior lining. Also according to fashion lore, the iconic burgundy leather interior lining of this Chanel purse represents the color of the uniform that Gabrielle Chanel wore in the Aubazine Abbey convent as a child in France. Arguably the most famous Chanel purse of all time, the 2.55 Flap bag is a timeless icon.
2 | Chanel Classic Double Flap: Karl Lagerfeld’s Inspired Vision
The Chanel purse that would ultimately become synonymous with the brand was not created until 1983. The Chanel Classic Double Flap was first introduced when Karl Lagerfeld became creative director and decided to reinterpret Chanel’s iconic 2.55 Flap Purse. From his artistic vision came two new features – a leather woven chain and Double C turn-lock closure. Lagerfeld’s Classic Double Flap was a breakout success. In spring 2021, the Chanel Classic Flap was renamed to the 11.12, in honor of the original Medium Classic Flap’s style code – A01112. The universal wearability and simplicity of the Chanel Classic Double Flap solidifies this purse as an iconic statement piece. In addition, the Classic Flap comes with an endless range of options, including quilting (the iconic classic vs. the more youthful chevron), leathers, sizes, and hardware combinations. While the Chanel Classic Flap comes in two main variations – single and double – the double flap version has an extra interior flap. This interior flap separates the interior of the handbag from the main exterior flap. Beyond the practicality of the Chanel Double Flap’s multiple pockets to organize one’s daily essentials, a playful anecdote has long been rumored around the history of these compartments – Chanel purse loyalists say that Coco Chanel would hide her love letters in the zip pocket located underneath the handbag’s outer flap. Each Classic Double Flap bag is handcrafted at the Ateliers de Verneuil-en-Halatte, one of Chanel’s prized Metiers d’Art workshops. The artisans at this shop have each trained for a minimum of four years, mastering every technique required to meticulously craft the Chanel Classic Double Flap, a process that takes a total of 15 hours and up to 180 operations. Almost thirty years later, and out of all the Chanel handbags on the market, the Classic Double Flap remains one of the most sought-after pieces ever crafted.
3 | Chanel Camera Bag: Urban-Inspired Comfort
Introduced by Chanel in the 1980s, the Chanel Camera Purse is an elegant reinterpretation of the camera cases used by photographers and reporters. In comparison to other iconic Chanel purses, the Camera Purse has tremendous interior capacity and depth. With a full-zip closure and crossbody strap, the Chanel Camera Purse provides ultimate comfort and protection of your belongings. Despite its occasional release as part of the classic collection, the Camera Case is among the more elusive Chanel purses ever designed. Thus, part of the allure of the Chanel Camera Purse is its rarity, as collectors avidly seek out this timeless Chanel purse.
4 | Chanel Shopping Tote: The Simple, Roomy Classic
A wardrobe staple and icon of the early-2000s, the Shopping Tote is a long-time favorite among Chanel handbag lovers. Designed in three sizes – the Petite Shopping Tote (PST), the Grand Shopping Tote (GST), and the Grand Shopping Tote XL (GST XL) – the standard Grand Shopping Tote is the ultimate classic. Best recognized for its roominess and tasteful simplicity, the Chanel Shopping Tote is only available in classic quilting. Additionally, only two hardware colors – gold and silver – were ever offered. After the GST was discontinued in 2015, the desirability of these Chanel handbags skyrocketed. Today, the Chanel Shopping Tote is a rare vintage find, coveted among those in the know.
5 | Chanel Wallet on Chain: A Compact Fashion Statement
Effortlessly stylish, simple and chic, the Chanel Wallet on Chain (WOC), is a must-have staple for any woman on the go. Known for its versatile 24-inch chain strap and practicality of its many compartments, the Chanel WOC holds the status of a classic Chanel handbag while also being uniquely compact in size. With the wallet built into the WOC, these Chanel purses brilliantly combine small size with efficient space. Moreover, the versatility of the strap is a defining feature of this Chanel purse. The WOC handbag can be worn over the shoulder, as a crossbody, or even as a clutch/wallet with the strap tucked in. Providing all of the coin, cash and card space you could need, this Chanel purse is a functional and fashionable statement piece. Naturally, it is also among the most popular Chanel purses on the resale market, as the value of the WOC only continues to grow.
6 | Chanel Mini Flap: Attainable and Iconic
Tapping directly into the mini bag trend of the present day, the Chanel Mini Flap is a quintessential shoulder/crossbody bag for the modern woman to fashionably sport her daily essentials. Over the years, the Chanel Classic Flap has been designed in a range of sizes, from Mini (16.5 x 14 x 6.5 CM) to Maxi (33 x 23 x 10 CM). Released in 2010, the Chanel Mini Flap quickly became one of the most desirable variations of the timeless Classic Flap purse. From the iconic Chanel CC turnlock and flap purse design to the interwoven leather chain, the Chanel Mini Flap has the staple elements of the Chanel Classic Flap. The one obvious difference between the Chanel Mini Flap and the Chanel Classic line is lack of the double flap. The smaller size and absence of a second flap allows for a more attainable price point. Almost always sold out at boutiques around the world, the Mini Flap purse is an undeniable craze among Chanel purse lovers, and shows no indication of leaving the spotlight.
7 | Chanel Boy Bag: The It-Girl Favorite
Debuted in 2011 in Chanel’s Fall/Winter collection, theChanel Boy Bag struck a chord among lovers of Chanel handbags and romantics alike, cementing a place as a mainstay in Chanel’s collection. As one of the great modern storytellers, Karl Lagerfeld explained, “Chanel used men’s underwear to make dresses; she had this boyish attitude, in fact, it is the very spirit of Chanel. She got it from Boy Capel, the great love of her life, which, incidentally, explains why the new bag is called the Boy Chanel.” Arthur “Boy” Capel was a polo player and Coco Chanel’s greatest love, with whom she had a nine-year passionate affair. With the Chanel Boy Bag, Chanel offers a more masculine edge, paying homage to the radical spirit of Coco Chanel and her mission to push the boundaries of femininity and gender norms. To little surprise, this Chanel bag was met with a surge of demand, quickly becoming one of Chanel’s most sought-after styles among style icons like Miley Cyrus and Stella Maxwell. Characterized by its lego-brick lock and main body framed by straight edges, the Chanel Boy Bag is admired for its versatile silhouette and unique, limited-edition versions. Nearly every season, exciting and unexpected variations of the Boy Bag are released, keeping the Chanel community on its toes and always eager for more.
8 | Chanel Perfume Bottle Bag: A Not-So Classic Icon
After debuting in the Chanel Cruise 2014 collection, the plexiglass Perfume Bottle Purse was a sensational hit. Modeled after the iconic Chanel No. 5 Perfume bottle, these unconventional Chanel purses are adored among fashion trendsetters. Sported by the likes of Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner, this Chanel purse shines in the spotlight. The limited availability of the Perfume Bottle Bag enhances its appeal, as it remains a coveted piece on the resale market. A modern interpretation of Chanel’s most recognizable perfume bottle, this playful conversation piece is a dream evening bag.
9 | Chanel Vanity: Nostalgia Mixed with Practicality
Reminiscent of the Audrey Hepburn era, the Chanel Vanity is a modern interpretation of the vanity cases women would use to carry cosmetics and toiletries during travel. First introduced in ‘90s, and re-imagined in the Chanel Airlines Spring/Summer 2016 collection, the Vanity purse is both nostalgic and practical, with all the staple features of classic Chanel purses. Much like the structure of real luggage, this Chanel purse unzips around the entire perimeter and contains numerous compartments for storage. Novel and glamorous in appearance, but practical and versatile in function, the Chanel Vanity is a stand-out piece that belongs in every woman’s purse collection.
10 | Chanel Gabrielle: Elegant and Functional Unisex Fashion
In honor of Gabrielle Chanel herself, the newest Chanel purse to covet is the Gabrielle: a perfect intersection of elegance and functionality. Introduced in the Spring/Summer 2017 show, the Gabrielle purse marked Chanel’s first major purse launch since ‘The Boy’ in 2011. Inspired by virtual reality goggles, Karl Lagerfeld playfully designed the Gabrielle purse, confidently leaning into unisex fashion. The Gabrielle comes in a classic hobo version, a backpack, large shopper and a more whimsical handbag shape. Further enhancing the functionality of the Gabrielle is the double straps of different lengths, transforming this Chanel purse’s wear for any occasion.
11 | Chanel 19: A Contemporary Re-imagination
Named after 2019, the year it debuted, the Chanel 19 purse quickly rose to legendary status. Unveiled in March 2019 for the Fall/Winter 2019 collection, the Chanel 19 would be solidified in history as the last major Chanel purse designed by Karl Lagerfeld, before he passed away in February 2019. In a collaborative effort, Largerfeld and Virginie Viard – Chanel’s current creative director – reimagined and paid tribute to the iconic Chanel 2.55 purse. The Chanel 19 also takes inspiration from the Classic Flap, Karl Lagerfeld’s first homage to the Chanel 2.55. Recognized for its contemporary feel, the Chanel 19 is much slouchier than its predecessors, and the strap is composed of three chunky chains in silver, aged gold and ruthenium. Additionally, the gold chain handle and exaggerated diamond quilting enhance the Chanel 19’s casual, chic style and sought-after signature design.
