IMAGE: ELEN WINATA FOR BAGAHOLICBOY

You read about Singapore’s first-ever Ephemeral Boutique for Chanel that recently opened its doors at Marina Bay Sands (click here to read), you read part 1 of Chanel’s 9 special ateliers collectively known as Métiers d’Art (click here to read). And you could be asking, what’s the link? Well, Chanel’s Métiers d’Art collection (that is devoted to celebrating these 9 ateliers) happens annually, and this year’s collection is themed #ParisCosmopolite and is partly inspired by Coco Chanel’s time at (and her special relationship with) the Ritz Paris, where she kept an apartment for many years.

Now that you understand the link between Métiers d’Art and the #ParisCosmopolite pop-up boutique (if not, please click here, and here again), I can now focus on what I enjoy the most about this collection: the bags. And the first one? This show-stopper of a stunner, the aged lambskin leather 2.55 that comes adorned with charms.

Charms that each depict Coco’s time at the Ritz, from the telephone to the hotel key, along with love letters she would have received from her admirers to other Chanel icons like the camellia, the perfume bottle and the #5. Available in two sizes, the larger one measures 24 cm by 16.5 cm (SGD10,820) while the smaller one comes in 20 cm by 14.5 cm.

IMAGE: ELEN WINATA FOR BAGAHOLICBOY

Another beauty that’s an icon-in-the-making, the new season Gabrielle Hobo that all of you should be familiar with by now. Available in a variety of sizes, they now come in new colours as well, including this one in metallic gold calfskin that measures 28 cm by 21 cm and retails for SGD5700. You can get the smallest one as a weekend companion, or the largest one as an everyday work carryall, it’s really up to you. Also available in metallic silver, tweed, even in a combination of suede and polished calf, I promise you’ll be a kid in a candy store if your heart is set on one.

IMAGE: ELEN WINATA FOR BAGAHOLICBOY

From the practical to the novelty, here’s a fun full-leather clutch that’s inspired by the regal hotel room door at Ritz Paris, more specifically, Coco Chanel’s very own suite (that’s her room number) at the famed Parisian hotel. Measuring 20 cm by 15 cm by 6 cm, you can use it as a clutch, or simply take out its long metal chain sling from the inside and use it a lovely evening bag. A beautifully memorable keepsake that no hard-core fan of Chanel should be without, this little piece of Coco’s history can be yours for just SGD12,990.

IMAGE: ELEN WINATA FOR BAGAHOLICBOY

Another novelty piece that I adore is this one, simply known as the Pouch Bag that comes in black or gold sequins. Quite literally as flat as it looks, you could use it as an evening clutch, or hang it on your door. And depending on your mood, you could place it on the side that says Please Dare To Disturb, or flip it over to show Do Not Disturb. A unique conversational piece, this SGD7290 beauty is another collectible no fan should be without.

IMAGE: CHANEL

And now that you’ve seen the 4 I adore the most, here are more bags from the rest of the #ParisCosmopolite collection that you should most definitely check out as well. From the elaborately detailed Boy Chanel and the seasonal Classic Flap pieces to even other novelties like the black/gold striped perfume bottle clutch and the flat 2D evening bag adorned with crystals, just leave a comment here if you would like to know about these pieces and I’ll get back to you guys stat. Otherwise, #happyshopping.

Images: Chanel & Elen Winata