What does your dream handbag look like? What does it feel like to hold? Which features are non-negotiable for you, and which are nice to have?
These are questions that we encourage all buyers to ask themselves before investing in their dream luxury bag – spanning the aesthetic look of each handbag, as well as its material texture, its design, its functional use, and of course its quality.
But these different factors don’t just contribute towards the buying process and the decision of each buyer of luxury goods. They also ensure that, far from simply being relegated to the accessories market, luxury handbags become a form of art all on their own.
In this blog, we’re looking at the connection between luxury handbags and art, focussing specifically on the Chanel brand and the iconic bags that pinpoint each moment in the brand’s history and story.
Notable Handbags That Double as Art
The great thing about Chanel handbags is that the collection as a whole, from the earliest designs through to the most modern releases, spans everything from standalone works of art to incredibly simple yet timeless designs. Whether it’s the artistic flair of the brand’s own designers, or a result of a collaboration with a standalone artist, some of the most interesting and unique designs are also the most expensive – tying the status, prestige, and inspiration of not one but two iconic names together in one luxury product.
Here are a few notable artistic designs from Chanel’s handbag collection…
Chanel Hula Hoop Bag
A runway piece that featured in the 2013 Spring/Summer show, with the Chanel Flap Bag embedded into the hoop structure.
Vintage Heart Handle Bag
A compact quilted bag, presented in a bright-pink heart-shaped design, this bag boasts the hallmarks of a classic Chanel bag in terms of the leather-wrapped chain and quilted fabric but in a unique format.
Plexiglass Conch Shell Bag
An excellent example of how designers can turn any form of inspiration into a workable project, the Chanel Plexiglass Conch Shell bag was created in 2012 as part of an ocean-inspired collection.
Supermarket Basket Bag
Marrying the convenience and functional design of a supermarket basket with the hallmarks of a high-end and luxurious accessory, this 2014/15 handbag is one of the most unique to come from the Chanel designers.
All of these handbags are notable as not only artistic and unique in design but also as some of the rarest models on the market. Finding one of these handbags as a Chanel buyer is rare, with the best places to source such pieces being auction houses and reputable resellers.
The Role of Design in the Chanel Handbag Collection
When it comes to creating a handbag, you will notice that most of the Chanel collection and its individual models boast the hallmarks of the brand origin, but with modern adaptations for the 21st century market.
While the vintage models boast their own coveted status, connecting buyers directly with the revolutionary design spirit of both Coco Chanel and Karl Lagerfeld who followed, the more modern designs take existing ideas and underlying structures and update them amid new trends and buyer preferences.
What this means is that design isn’t just an aesthetic process but one that connects the 21st century Chanel brand with its origin story, while also tapping into the needs of its ever-changing pool of buyers.
One of the best ways to really understand this is by looking at the history of the Chanel Flap Bag, which was originally conceived in 1955 by Coco Chanel, and which broke the boundaries of existing handbag style and design on the market. Though not the first handbag launched under the Chanel brand, the 2.55 was by far the most notable because of the way it changed the market – opting for a single long shoulder strap rather than handles, and the flap design, which is convenient and stylish.
When Karl Lagerfeld became a part of the Chanel brand, he took the iconic 2.55 and gave it a few extra features – adding the twisting CC lock for the flap, and the leather woven chain, which are both synonymous with the modern bags found on the market today.
Though the 2.55/Chanel Flap Bag has adapted over the years in line with current trends and buyer preferences, it remains a reflection of the original piece created by Coco Chanel – underpinning the artistic flair of the brand’s founder and putting her priorities front and centre of the brand, even after decades of changing trends and fashions.
Should You Buy a Bag that is Functional or Artistic?
Who said you have to choose? One of the great things about the luxury goods market is that designers are constantly striving to create bags that are intrinsically functional and practical but that capture attention for all the right reasons.
There’s a reason why you so often see Chanel handbags on the arms of the rich and famous, and it’s because the bags embody the prestige and status worthy of A-list attention, while also hitting all of those timeless trends that we want to see from our accessories. What’s more, with slight adjustments and adaptations underpinning each new collection, Chanel continues to meet the functional needs of its buyers, with even the most unique and “out there” designs bridging design flair with practical use.
If you’re looking to invest in your own Chanel bag, the most important thing to do is to visit a supplier or reseller with an excellent reputation, with access to a range of pieces that span different collections and models, from vintage classic handbags to more unique accessories. A Chanel handbag is not only a good investment in your own personal style, adding a practical piece of art to your wardrobe, but it also serves as a reliable financial investment, with Chanel bags holding and even increasing their value over time.
Visit us at our Knightsbridge boutique store in London to browse our current collection of Chanel and other luxury handbags.
