Chanel Purple Satin 2.55 Reissue Small 255 Bag
About the Item
- Designer:
- Design:
- Dimensions:Height: 6 in (15.24 cm)Depth: 2.8 in (7.12 cm)Length: 9.5 in (24.13 cm)
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Seller Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:
Chanel
In the years following the opening of her modest millinery shop, Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel became a pivotal designer of both fashionable casual wear and Paris haute couture as well as an icon and arbiter of 20th-century style with her bob haircut and pearls. Today vintage Chanel handbags, jackets and evening dresses are among the most sought-after clothing and accessories for fashion lovers all over the world.
The first Chanel shop was established in 1910 in Paris on rue Cambon by the young milliner Gabrielle Chanel (1883–1971), who had picked up the nickname “Coco” while working as a club singer. The boutique drew the attention of the Parisian fashion elite who popularized her wide-brimmed Chanel Modes hats. Soon she added a sportswear store in the Normandy resort town of Deauville, where Coco set the tone for her defining sense of style — traditionally masculine garments reimagined for feminine shapes, made from simple jersey fabric.
Effortless and elegant, Chanel's designs promoted comfort and grace in women’s wear that had been dominated in the previous century by complicated layers of fabric and cumbersome corsets. She followed this success with a couture house, opened in 1915 in Biarritz.
But Chanel was not born into a life of glamour. Following the death of her mother, her father left her in an orphanage where she lived until the age of 18. It was there that she learned to sew as well as appreciate the classic pairing of black and white as worn by the nuns.
In 1926, Chanel introduced her first little black dress, reclaiming a color that had once been reserved for mourning and working-class women. That same decade, she debuted her perfume, Chanel No. 5, as well as the Chanel suit with a fitted skirt, inspired by the boxy lines of men’s clothing and employing a sporty tweed.
Chanel closed her fashion operations during World War II, then returned to the industry in 1954 to design for the functional needs of modern women.
Structure and wearability endured in all of Chanel’s clothing and accessories, like the quilted leather 2.55 handbag — a 1955 update of a 1920s-era design — with its gold-chain shoulder strap that freed up a woman’s hands. The 1957 two-tone slingback pumps had a practical heel height while offering a bold statement in the black tip of the shoes. Her collarless jacket reacted against the constricting styles of Christian Dior's New Look, replacing them with a design that was timeless, an instant classic.
After Coco Chanel died in 1971, the brand underwent several changes in leadership, including fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, who took over as artistic director in 1983. His collections for Chanel displayed his knack for synthesizing old and new, high and low. Lagerfeld revived Chanel ballet flats and thoroughly embraced the classic logo's interlocking CCs, which took the form of a clasp featured on so many of the rare Chanel bags that are much sought after today.
Vintage Karl Lagerfeld designs for Chanel dresses, coats and other clothing of the 1980s, '90s and 2000s riffed on its iconography, accenting a lexicon of Chanel-isms with tastes of the moment. And as the 1990s have become associated with styles adopted by today’s supermodels and influencers, vintage Chanel bags of the 1990s are among the most prized of the brand’s offerings.
Over the years, the company has continued to innovate, such as expanding into ready-to-wear fashion in 1978 and, in 2002, establishing a subsidiary company — Paraffection — dedicated to preserving the heritage skills of fashion artisan workshops. The House of Chanel still operates its flagship on rue Cambon in Paris, where it all began.
Browse vintage Chanel bags, evening dresses, shoes, jewelry and other clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 7 days of delivery.
- Chanel Orylag Triple Chain Flap BagBy ChanelLocated in London, GBA stylish and Chic Chanel Orylag flap bag from the Fall/Winter 2015 Act 1 Collection. The exterior of this bag features a navy orylag fur with antiqued s...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Chanel 2.55 Reissue Maxi Double Flap BagBy ChanelLocated in London, GBA Chic Chanel 2.55 Reissue Maxi Double Flap Handbag. The exterior of this reissue 2.55 is crafted in metallic champagne lambskin leather with signature diamond stitching and dark sil...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Yves Saint Laurent Velvet Chevron ClutchBy Yves Saint LaurentLocated in London, GBThis unworn YSL clutch in midnight blue velvet stitched in a chevron pattern contrasts beautifully with the gold logo in front. The fabric lined interior comes with flap pocket. The ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Clutches
- Hermés Kelly Sellier 25cm Vert Verone Veau Epsom GHWBy HermèsLocated in London, GBA gorgeous Hermès 25cm Kelly bag. The exterior of this Kelly features a Sellier style in Vert Verone Veau Epsom leather. The Vert Verone Epsom leather is complemented with gold-tone hardware and tonal stitchings. It features a front toggle closure with two straps, a single rolled handle and a removable shoulder strap. The interior is lined with Vert Verone leather and has one zip pocket with an Hermès engraved...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Top Handle Bags
- Tom Ford Crystal-Embellished Mini Clutch BagBy Tom FordLocated in London, GBA stunning crystal-embellished mini clutch bag by Tom Ford. This clutch features crystal-embellished soft goatskin leather and contrasting silver-tone ...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Clutches
- Hermès Noir Curiosite Kelly Laque CharmBy HermèsLocated in London, GBA chic Hermès Kelly Bag charm. The charm features a Curiosite Noir Laque Kelly motif with permabrass plated hardware. This versatile charm can b...Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Wallets and Small Accessories
- TYLER ELLIS Jamie Clutch Small Purple Ostrich Leg Gold HardwareBy Tyler EllisLocated in Los Angeles, CAThe Jamie Clutch is a structured square clutch with an optional cross-body chain and interior pocket. It features our slide-lock closure and signature Thayer blue satin lining. Siz...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Clutches
- Vintage Gianfranco Ferre 1990s Lilac Lavender Purple Lizard Embossed Handbag 90sBy Gianfranco FerréLocated in San Diego, CABeautiful vintage early 90s GIANFRANCO FERRE lilac light purple lizard skin embossed leather bag! Beautiful color matches nearly everything, and can be worn all year. Hinged opening ...Category
1990s Italian Hobo Bags
- BOTTEGA VENETA Point Intrecciato woven leather triangle handle crossbody bagBy Bottega VenetaLocated in Hong Kong, NTBOTTEGA VENETA Point purple Intrecciato woven leather triangle handle crossbody bag Reference: LNKO/A02167 Brand: Bottega Veneta Designer: Daniel Lee M...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
- new VERSACE Ayers scaled leather gold Medusa stud bordered top zip pouch caseBy Donatella Versace, VersaceLocated in Hong Kong, NTnew VERSACE Ayers scaled leather gold Medusa stud bordered top zip pouch case Reference: TGAS/A04058 Brand: Versace Designer: Donatella Versace Material: Leather, Leather Color: Blue...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Purple crocodile scaled leather angular frame pouch clutch bagLocated in Hong Kong, NTPurple crocodile scaled leather angular frame pouch clutch bag Reference: LNKO/A01775 Brand: No Brand Model: Crocodile clutch Material: Other Color: Purple Pattern: Solid Clos...Category
2010s Evening Bags and Minaudières
- Hermès Vintage Sequana Bag Magic Purple Blue Porosus Crocodile Golden Hdw RAREBy HermèsLocated in FRAbsolutely Stunning Authentic Hermès Vintage Bag "Séquana" This bag is magic! Depending on the weather, the light, your outfit, its color changes!...Category
1980s French Evening Bags and Minaudières
Recently Viewed
View AllRead More
From the Runway to Rihanna, These Chanel Pearl Sunglasses Are the Peak of ’90s Chic
This cheeky accessory is seriously fun.
With a Wink, Karl Lagerfeld Sent This Egg-Carton-Shaped Chanel Bag Down the Runway
For the brand’s 2014–15 ready-to-wear show in Paris, the designer was inspired by a most unexpected place: the supermarket.