Chanel is a brand that’s renowned for its approach to the luxury market, embracing the highest quality materials and the finest examples of manufacturing and craftsmanship. Not only are the materials used in the construction of each bag high in quality, but the hardware evokes value and class – elevating each and every bag to a high-value, coveted place of great prestige.
Perhaps the most famous Chanel bags, and certainly the most expensive in the collection, are those made from exotic skins and leathers.
However, by committing to a ban on furs and skins as of 2018, in a bid to become more environmentally and ethically sustainable, Chanel is one of the brands that is prioritising a focus on alternative materials. These include but are not limited to the likes of tweed, canvas, denim, and jersey – many of which we will touch on in this article.
But first, to something a little more basic.
The Different Types of Leather Used by Chanel
Staple Chanel bags tend to be made from leather. Not only is leather versatile, lending itself to the premium market as well as the more everyday market, but it is also the material that Coco Chanel herself favoured in many of her original creations.
Famously responsible for introducing the Little Black Dress to the market, for bringing longer shoulder straps to the world of handbag design, and for constructing her iconic 2.55 bag in a quilted leather, Chanel herself loved the versatility of leather.
Chanel uses three main types of leather in the making of most of its bags, with each bringing its own unique features and hallmarks to the collection. Caviar leather boasts a subtly grainy texture and is regarded as the most durable of all the commonly used Chanel leathers. It holds its structure with less of a slouch when standing on a surface, though is considered more of an informal bag owing to the texture.
Lambskin leather is much more supple and buttery, notable for its incredibly soft and smooth texture and finish. With so many Chanel bags embracing that quilted surface that Coco Chanel herself brought to the industry and to the market, this luxurious finish is only enhanced and amplified – though this does render the material liable to scratches and scuffs.
Calfskin leather sits somewhere between the two – soft but durable, with a hint of textured grain, but with a much smoother finish than the Caviar leather.
All three of these are popular choices when selecting a Chanel bag, with buyers tending to determine the best bag for them by preferences and the way they want to use the bag. However, these are not the only leathers that Chanel uses – and they are by no means the only materials that the brand favours.
Alternative Leathers
Other leathers that are used by Chanel include goatskin and deerskin – both of which have a matte layered finish and varying degrees of graining. And then we have the patent leather finish, which is commonly seen on less desirable models of Chanel bags, owing to the maintenance challenges that come with the shiny exterior. Not only does the patent finish lend itself to scratches and marks, but it’s prone to discolouration and can become sticky with time – though the glossy finish is a statement that compliments formal wear and special occasions.
Other Popular Chanel Bag Materials
With Chanel committed to innovation and to exploring new trends in the luxury accessories market, all while retaining a timeless sense of style and prestige, material is something that is ever-changing and evolving.
For one thing, Chanel does not shy away from typically unused and uncommon materials in the production of its bags. Tweed is a surprising choice, until you consider its quintessential finish and its link with timeless elegance, particularly among British buyers. Classically different to look at, and with a range of different colours and inflections of colour that lift each bag, tweed is as durable as it is stylish and can be dressed up or down – something that Coco Chanel herself valued in any high-class bag.
Another material that Chanel has been known to use is denim. In fact, these are some of the most popular in terms of their nod to 90s style – capturing a section of the market that loves the vintage feel of an authentic denim Chanel.
Some other popular materials that always attract interest on the market include corduroy, which is thick and durable, and velvet, which is undoubtedly and effortlessly luxurious (though also fairly impractical when you consider the impact that adverse weather has on its texture).
And let’s not overlook the role that plexiglass and plastic Chanel bags play on the revival of specific trends and fashions – particularly when worn by celebrities on the red carpet. Rihanna’s plexiglass perfume bottle Chanel bag is as far from practical as it could possibly be – however, it’s a statement that captured imaginations and gave the Chanel collection a whole new lease of life.
While many of these materials appear in limited-edition and exclusive releases, others are more common and can be found across modern Chanel collections as well as through auctions and resellers.
Buying a Chanel Bag
Whether you are drawn to the classic finish of a reputable and high-quality leather, or want something durable, practical, and a little bit different, there is no brand quite as innovative or as experimental as Chanel. Harking back to the early days of Chanel under the leadership of Coco Chanel herself, this is a brand that has never shied away from trying something different – and is all the more popular for it.
The perfect material finish for you could be available at your local boutique reseller – get in touch and book a consultation with them to find out.