The History of The Chanel Flap Bag
The Chanel Flap Bag designed by style arbiter Gabrielle Bonheur ‘Coco’ Chanel was born out of a slight annoyance with having to clutch onto a purse all night. Justine Picardi from The House of Chanel quotes Coco Chanel saying that she simply grew tired of “holding, losing and searching for her purses” – so she added a strap.
In 1955, a time period in which handheld bags and purses were the norms, Coco Chanel revolutionized the fashion industry on a global scale with The Chanel Flap Bag.
The Chanel Flap Bag
All variants of The Flap Bag featured gold, black or silver metallic chain straps and when resources grew scarce, leather straps were intertwined and/or used as a stylish alternative. It was the first of its elegant and practical kind, each bag designed and made featuring the iconic quilted leather, which is now synonymous with many Chanel bags, Coco loved so much.
The burgundy hue of The Chanel Flap Bag’s interior is said to be a hat tip to the Catholic orphanage that Coco grew up in. It was where she learnt to sew. And as with all of her creations, each detail mirrored an intimate part of Coco’s life and heart.
Many Flap Bags even feature an uncommon hidden zipper compartment, rumoured to have been used by Coco to hide love letters during one of many glorious periods in her love life.
Inspiration Behind The Flap Bag
Coco had an affinity for horses, stable style and polo player Arthur Edward Capel – this affinity is reflected in many of her pieces. Every Chanel bag; from the classic Chanel Flap Bag, its recreation The 2.55, to the Chanel Boy Bag (‘Boy’ was Arthur Capel’s nickname) and beyond was touched by that affinity.
Naturally, as Chanel’s influence increased, so did the price of the Chanel Flap Bag and its strappy sisters’. Featured in various artistic projects throughout the last 5 decades, worn by icons and lauded after by the public, The Chanel Flap Bag’s popularity remains unparalleled.
Value of The Flap Bag
As Chanel bags do not depreciate in value immensely, they can be sold and ‘borrowed’ at the owner’s whim. Featuring the signature interlocking C’s introduced by the legendary Karl Lagerfeld in the 1980s, The Chanel Flap bag can now be purchased for around $6000 (R80 000) and resold without a gargantuan loss.
If ever you find yourself in possession of a glam Chanel item that you do not fancy anymore, at Luxity we offer a safe and guaranteed way for you to sell your item. Get in touch with us today, and help another Chanel fashionista’s dreams come true!
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