Undisputedly one of fashion’s most coveted pieces, the Chanel Flap Bag is a timeless icon. Introduced in the 1950s as a breakthrough women’s accessory, the 2.55 Flap Bag dared to challenge women’s handbag norms by offering a shoulder strap in contrast to traditional handheld designs.
Making a case for women’s accessories to be both practical and stylish in equal measure, allowing modern women to carry a handbag seamlessly whilst on the go, the Flap Bag captured the cultural zeitgeist with its design and approach to functionality - as more women moved into the workplace. The Flap Bag was an instant hit with its modern design featuring Chanel’s diamond-stitch quilting and the iconic burgundy interior lining - motifs that were inspired by men’s jackets and Coco Chanel’s early childhood through her uniform at the Aubazine Abbey convent. Since then, the bag has been reimagined many times, inspiring many of the brand’s other iconic handbag styles.
In the 1980s, former creative director Karl Lagerfeld reinterpreted the Flap Bag with another set of features that would become classic brand motifs. These included the Double C turn-lock closure and a sophisticated leather woven chain, all of which continue to reappear in modern versions of the bag. Additionally, Lagerfeld also introduced the Double Flap Bag within the Flap Bag lineage, which simply features an additional exterior flap for extra storage.
Over the years, Lagerfeld continued to innovate upon Chanel’s icon.
