IMAGE: CHANEL

When it comes to fanciful minaudières, no one does it better than Chanel, and as with tradition every season will see the launch of at least one such key piece to celebrate the collection. And for #ChanelCruiseCuba, nothing is more apt than doing a take on the ubiquitous cigar box, something that’s as synonymous as vintage American cars and colonial houses awash in pastel hues.

Measuring some 18 cm across by 15 cm by 5 cm, the body of the bag is mostly wood, with the detailing around the perimeter of it looking like it’s been laser-engraved. Then come the metal embellishments, from Coco Chanel’s enamelled portrait that sits in the middle surrounded by a string of pearls to the gold coins that each come etched with different icons of the French luxury house, from the unmistakable camellia to the number 5.

Lined with the lushest of metallic gold lambskin leathers, this is truly one of those collectors’ pieces that won’t look out of place on a shelf already covered with Classic Flap and Boy Chanel bags, and something that will take you back to everything that’s good about Havana in an instant.

Image: Chanel