Chanel bags are considered masterpieces, but their expensive prices are still skyrocketing.

(Dan Tri) - 70 years since its launch, this Chanel bag still wins the hearts and demands of fashionistas, despite its constantly increasing price.

February 1955 was a pivotal month for fashion . That's when founder Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel introduced one of the brand's most iconic products - the 2.55 handbag. This bag is considered a fashion milestone thanks to its groundbreaking design.

The revolutionary bag

Coco Chanel wasn’t just a designer, she was a visionary. Today, the 2.55 doesn’t seem groundbreaking. But before the Chanel 2.55, most handbags were hand-carried.

She envisioned something different, helping women have a convenient bag, escape the rigidity of traditional stereotypes, express freedom and sophistication.

Thus, the 2.55 was born. The bag pioneered the integration of a shoulder strap - a practical feature inspired by soldier's satchels, allowing women to free their hands to do other things. So at the time, this feature was truly revolutionary.

On the website, the bag is introduced with a quote from founder Coco: "Tired of carrying it in my hand and losing it, I put a strap on it to wear it on my shoulder." She's also known for adding feminine touches to her shoulder bags, including a makeup compartment and an inside zippered pocket for love letters.

The original 2.55 design featured a rectangular shape and a front clasp (called the Mademoiselle Lock) that was a nod to Coco’s single status. Other details on the bag also referenced her life, such as the diamond quilted leather. In fact, almost every detail represented some aspect of her life.

Coco Chanel was photographed in 1960 posing in the Jardin des Tuileries (Paris, France) with a 2.55 bag hanging loosely on her wrist (Photo: Chanel).

The signature quilting was inspired by her love of equestrianism and the equestrian jackets and scarves she often wore while racing.

The quilted construction is visually striking, yet a symbol of comfort and durability. The soft, supple leather is comfortable to the touch, yet timeless. Each piece of leather used for the bag is carefully selected to meet the artisanal quality standards that the founder holds dear.

The material itself needs to exude exclusivity and sophistication. When touched, the quilted leather tells a story of elegance and craftsmanship. Meanwhile, the leather must be durable over time and retain its inherent beauty.

Each 2.55 is the result of countless hours of manual labor. Even today, seven decades later, craftsmen still adhere to traditional methods to ensure every detail is perfect. The quilted leather is stitched down to the millimeter. According to Vogue Scandinavia , it takes up to 15 hours for the artisans at the workshop to complete the product.

The gold details, such as the swivel clasp and chain strap, are made from the most luxurious materials. These details are not only decorative, but also represent the core of Chanel's style.

It is a combination of beauty and practicality. Each bag undergoes a rigorous quality control process, ensuring that each product is worthy of the brand's prestigious reputation.

Many details on the bag show connections to Coco Chanel's life (Photo: Getty).

A bag worth investing in, prices keep rising

Over the decades, the 2.55 has been revised and reissued. In the early 1980s, the house's then-creative director Karl Lagerfeld replaced the CC clasp with a Mademoiselle clasp, and the chain strap was interwoven with leather. In February 2005, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the bag, Lagerfeld launched the 2.55 Reissue, reinterpreting the Mademoiselle clasp.

According to Harper's Bazaar magazine, the widely used term "buy as an investment" is an accurate description of the 2.55. The price appreciation of this design far outpaces inflation, with prices increasing significantly year after year, whether purchased directly from the fashion house or secondhand.

The first 2.55 was sold for $220 (over 5 million VND in current exchange) in 1955, according to Sotheby's auction house. Currently, this bag model has a retail price of $11,300 (over 296 million VND).

Meanwhile, resale prices often match or exceed the actual value of bags (if well-preserved), whether vintage or new. For rare models, the selling price is even higher.

Despite skyrocketing prices, the Chanel 2.55 bag is still a popular design (Photo: Getty).

It's no surprise that the 2.55 has been embraced by cinema since its inception, with stars including Anouk Aimée and Jeanne Moreau, Delphine Seyrig and Jane Fonda all sporting it.

Even the late US First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and Princess Diana carried their version of the 2.55 bag on both formal and casual occasions.

More than just a handbag, the 2.55 has become an icon of the brand and luxury in general. It contains the history of the fashion house, from the past to the present and the future.

Over the years, the 2.55 has remained a staple, adorning the shoulders of women around the world. Designers, stylists and creatives alike acknowledge this revolution in fashion as an endless source of inspiration.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giai-tri/tui-chanel-duoc-coi-nhu-kiet-tac-gia-dat-do-van-tang-chong-mat-20250817085706795.htm