Chanel’s Iconic handbag has been a part of an heritage that is transmitted from mother to daughter. As Coco Chanel quoted, “Fashion becomes unfashionable, style never”. The French fashion designer and founder of the Chanel brand conceived this signature bag as she felt a need to design a bag that frees the hands but not the style. The Iconic Handbag still fascinates fashionistas simply because of its timeless design.
Five reasons why the Iconic bag reigns as the most recognized Chanel bag and a must have accessory –
1) Since the time it has been created, the classic design still follows the first partitions dictated by Gabrielle: a chain interwoven with leather ribbon that allows to carry it on the shoulder. It was inspired by the keys used by the caretakers of the convent where Chanel grew up.
2) It still features the quilting inspired by the equestrian universe that Gabrielle Chanel loved so much.
3) The garnet leather reminds one of the color of the uniform which Gabrielle had to wear at the Aubazine orphanage.
4) It still closes with the regular twist clasp which is called the “Mademoiselle” as Miss Chanel never married.
5) Every season, Karl Lagerfeld renders a stylish makeover to the Iconic bag with different materials, jeweled clasps and chevron quilting; enriching the heritage of the legendary bag.
Sneak peek at the making of the Iconic Handbag – 
Though the French fashion house has described the making in details, the images do most of the speaking.
“The iconic Chanel handbag demands over 180 manufacturing operations and as many minute gestures. Selecting the skin requires a rigorous control, each one must be perfect. Then, the cut of each piece of the bag’s body is made according to a template outlining the pattern. The points of the cut must follow the scales of an exotic skin or the patterns of a tweed. The pieces of the bag’s body are then “pared down”, quilted using a needle and assembled. First mounted flat and inside out, like a Ready-to-Wear piece, the bag takes on volume little by little. The body and base are brought together with the “bag in bag” technique: a first bag is mounted to constitute the interior and then a second for the exterior, each one assembled by hand. The craftsperson can then turn the bags inside out. The finishing touches demand several other delicate manipulations before the final control and the ritual of wrapping.”
It is also known that the design was launched in February 1955 and hence christened 2.55 after the date of creation.
