Celebrating 69 Years of the Chanel 2.55
Celebrating 69 Years of the Chanel 2.55
Join us as we step into the iconic world of Chanel and discover the bag that revolutionised women's fashion.
The Story Behind the Chanel 2.55 Bag
2.55, a date and bag which liberated women’s hands. In February 1955, Gabrielle Coco Chanel designed the 2.55 shoulder bag - the first bag designed to be worn over the shoulder. At the time only handheld bags were acceptable for upper class women to wear. Coco Chanels innovation not only liberated women’s hands she also changed the social standards, revolutionising fashion and giving women freedom and practicality, whilst still maintaining an air of luxury and class.
The 2.55 paved the way for Chanel and fashion as we know it today, in 1983 Karl Lagerfield reimagined the style of the 2.55 into the Chanel Classic Double Flap with the Iconic interlocking Double C logo as the turnlock. The logo was designed in the 1930’s by Coco Chanel herself.
“I was fed up of holding my purses in my hands and losing them, so I added a strap and carried them over my shoulder” - Coco Chanel: The Legend and the Life by Justine Picardie.
Behind the Design
The 2.55 was born out of a necessity for practicality, yet it was crafted with utmost care and attention to detail, drawing inspiration from Coco Chanel’s life and experiences. The Mademoiselle lock, for instance, is a subtle nod to Chanel's unmarried status, as 'Mademoiselle' translates to 'miss' in French.
Taking inspiration from equestrian spirit the diamond quilted texture has become synonymous with Chanel’s designs. The original 2.55 bags had Burgundy interiors, inspired by the colour of the uniforms Gabrielle Chanel wore in the orphanage she grew up in.
The 2.55 bag also has a secret… it features a hidden zipper pocket in the outer compartment, legend has it that Chanel designed the pocket to hide her secret love letters. The bag also features a compartment that is the perfect size for a lipstick, Chanel truly understood the needs of a woman.
The Reissue
In 2005, Karl Lagerfeld celebrated the 50th anniversary of the 2.55 bag by releasing a recreation of the original design, bringing the 2.55 Reissue to life. Since then, the 2.55 has been released in various designs, fabrics, and sizes, including a vast range of limited edition versions, offering the perfect opportunity to express your personality through their unique designs.
Why the 2.55 bag is the perfect Chanel for you?
If you are looking for a bag in a classic design, with a nod to a rich history, the 2.55 is the perfect bag for you. Not only is the 2.55 a fashion staple but it is known to be a great investment piece, increasing in value the longer you keep the bag. Win-Win!
