Fashion Vashion!!!: The Classic Chanel 2.55

When it comes to Chanel, the older the better!!!And what could be better than the Classic Chanel 2.55??!!

The bag, an "essential" for any handbag collection, was designed by Coco Chanel and introduced to the world in February 1955 and thats where the "2.55" comes from.

History

Coco Chanel

the chains

In the 1920s Coco Chanel became tired of having to carry her handbags in her arms and decided to design a handbag that freed up her hands. Inspired by the straps found on soldiers’ bags she added thin straps and introduced the resulting design. The Chanel 2.55 bag was one of the most revolutionary of its time due to the introduction of a chain strap, enabling women to carry their purse on their arm instead of in their hand. At this time, when socialites were busy holding their glasses of champagne, eating canapés, and reading their theatre programmes, Chanel recognized a need for women to have their hands free.

Design and Production

Over 30 new models are produced each year, forming part of the House’s seven annual collections. 6 to 15 people work for up to 18 hours (depending on the material) on one Chanel "2.55". While in the past, up to 80% of all bags produced were black, they represent only 50% of the diverse range proposed today.

Once the bag has been approved for production, a team of leather craftsmen, engineers and cutters will work on more than 10 different models every week to meet the demand from boutiques. However, before the bag can be assembled, the leather must first be prepared. It is cut from the skin either by hand, using a punch, or by computer, and is then machine-stitched, trimmed and finished.

Coco Chanel grew up.

80% of the total production time is spent on the assembly table, where CHANEL’s master craftsmen use their expertise to produce an item of unmistakeable luxury. After the material has been prepared, the bag is given its structure by inserting heat-sealed leather-finished supports.

The bags are then quilted using machines specially developed by Chanel’s engineers, and this stage, is often one of the most creative in the design process.

Working from sketches, a range of hand-made mock-ups are produced before selecting a final prototype and deciding on its exact proportions and stitching details. Then out of the 200 to 300 prototypes produced for each collection, the studio selects around 30.

Features

The lining’s burgundy colour represents the colour of the uniforms at the convent where she grew up.

There is a zippered compartment at the inside of the front flap. That is where Chanel is rumoured to have stored her love letters in her original bag.

The backside has a back outside flap for storage of money.

The bag originally came with a front lock called “the Mademoiselle Lock” (in reference to Coco Chanel never marrying). Since the 1980s, versions can also be supplied with a lock in the shape of a double CC logo. These called “Classic Flaps”.

The bag has a quilted diamond or herringbone pattern on the exterior. Using a running stitch, this gives the bag shape and volume.The pattern is believed to have been inspired by several sources: by jockeys’ riding coats, the stained-glass windows of the abbey at Aubazine, as well as by the cushions in Chanel’s Paris apartment