Chanel Backpack
When Prada released the first nylon backpack in 1984, it was an instant hit. Fast forward to 2022, and luxury designer backpacks remain a runway staple. Karl Lagerfeld added backpacks early in his tenure at Chanel and vintage versions from the early 1990s remain in high demand today. The popularity of more casual streetwear style and sneakers driving luxury shoe sales , it's no surprise Chanel backpacks are also more popular than ever. A Chanel backpack is the ultimate compliment to today's sneaker streetwear driven style.
Vintage Chanel Backpacks
The popularity of Vintage Chanel bags shows now signs of slowing due to ever higher retail prices for new Chanel bags and nostalgia for the early designs of Karl Lagerfeld. A vintage Chanel backpack is the perfect every day bag for your daily commute or weekend pursuits. The vintage Chanel backpack in black lambskin and gold hardware with double C turn-lock is the forever classic that will never go out of style. Sotheby's Buy Now Marketplace always has a selection of vintage Chanel backpacks.
Urban Spirit Chanel Backpack
Chanel first introduced the Urban Spirit backpack in Spring Summer 2016 and released new versions though 2019. The small version retailed for $3,400 in leather while the larger size sold for $3,800 when first released. This Chanel backpack has been made in several variations including different sizes, classic diamond and chevron quilted leather pattern, tweed and flap versus drawstring variations. Straps are either leather or classic interwoven leather chain. The popularity of this style was due to its classic Chanel details and practical roomy interior and the rise of more casual streetwear and sneaker styles. Chanel lovers that are looking for this basic backpack style need to turn to secondary marketplaces like Sotheby's to source an excellent condition version. While prices today on the resale market tend to above retail, you can find bags with some minor wear in the $3,000-$4,000 range.
Other recurring Chanel backpack styles are the Chanel Deauville Backpack, Chanel Filigree Backpack and Chanel Affinity Backpack.
Limited Edition Chanel Backpacks
The Graffiti Art School Chanel Backpack remains one of the most desired limited edition Chanel backpacks. When it was first released during the Spring/Summer 2014 collection, it was considered highly controversial for it's canvas with graffiti and $3,400 price. At the time leather Chanel Boy Bags were $3,700, so a canvas backpack at this price seemed outrageous at the time. Fast forward to 2022 and the same Chanel backpack sells for more than 2x the original retail on secondary markets like Sotheby's depending on the condition. While all limited edition Chanel backpacks from prior seasons are not selling for multiples of retail, limited edition runway Chanel backpacks from some seasons are selling for significant premiums over retail, even though Chanel continues to increase prices for their backpacks.
