In the world of luxury fashion, few designer bags have made such an impression on our cultural consciousness as the Chanel Classic Flap Bag. From its lush diamond quilting to its representative double flap to the brand’s emblematic CC emblem functioning as the closure, this bag reigns in the halls of fashion history alongside other cult classics like the Hermès Birkin and Kelly bags.
The Chanel Classic Flap bag is seen on the shoulders of the cosmopolitan liberated woman everywhere from the boulevards of Paris to the streets of Singapore. While those who hope to get their hands on a Classic Flap Bag might be able to find it in-house, the prices of Chanel bags are poised to increase by up to 29% percent ahead of the holiday season in 2021. Online luxury consignment stores like LUX.R Singapore remain an attractive platform for buyers hoping to get their hands on secondhand bags at pre-inflated prices.
The History of the Flap Bag’s Iconic Design
The most pervasive model in our present-day consciousness is formally known as the 11.22 Classic Flap Bag. This timeless icon was reborn in 1983 when Karl Lagerfeld, then the creative director of the French fashion house, reinterpreted Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel’s original 2.55 model created in February 1955.
While the original 2.55 model featured a rectangular turn-lock and metal strap, the 11.22 was rebooted with the now famous interlocking CC clasp and leather woven through the metal chain strap. As to the meaning behind 11.22, it is said that this string of numbers refers to the item code assigned when the bag was produced. At present, the Classic Flap Bag can be found in sizes ranging from Mini to Maxi, with the Medium sized Flap Bag being the most popular, and arguably, most iconic size.
When Luxury Met Functionality
Despite Lagerfeld’s alterations, the 11.22 Classic Flap Bag is nonetheless infused through and through with the spirit of Coco Chanel. In fact, it is common to hear all Chanel bags designed with the same flap structure referred to under the umbrella term 2.55, as a nod to the emblematic original.
The original 2.55 bag revolutionised the world of designer fashion when it debuted on the shoulders of Coco Chanel on that fateful February evening. Handbags were traditionally designed to be carried in hand, but Chanel’s new design provided women with the added functionality of wearing their bags on the shoulder as well. The adjustable strap also meant that this bag could be tailored to different lengths to suit the preferences of its owner.
The Woman Behind the Bag
The interior of both the 2.55 and 11.22 bags also comes with many sophisticated yet practical features including seven dedicated pockets thoughtfully designed to contain a woman’s essentials–think, a tube of tightly sealed lipstick, or perhaps a love letter or two. It is rumoured that Coco Chanel, who was engaged in an affair at the time of the bag’s introduction, used to store her sequestered love letters in the zippered compartment located on the underside of the front flap.
Perhaps less known is the fact that Coco Chanel grew up in a convent orphanage, and it was there that the nuns taught her how to sew. This would form the foundation of her life’s work, first as a seamstress that struggled to make ends meet, and later as a world-renowned fashion designer. The burgundy interior lining this luxury bag was chosen in tribute to the shade of the uniform she had to wear as an orphan. Likewise, the bag’s chain strap was inspired by the chain the children’s caretakers used to dangle their keys on. Where Coco Chanel used to store her letters from her lover might be up for debate, but one thing is certain, this bag was created as a love letter to herself.
Sell Your Luxury Bags on Consignment
If you’re hoping to sell your designer bag on consignment, LUX.R Singapore can help you with the process. Whether you’re looking to find a new home for your Chanel Flap Bag or another luxury icon like the Hermes Birkin Bag, our team of consignment experts provide dedicated service and transparent rates to make the process of consigning your bag a white-glove experience in itself. Alternatively, browse through our online store on Carousell to view the full catalogue of designer products we have on offer.
