IMAGE: CHANEL

What looks like your regular Small Gabrielle Hobo from Chanel in exotic croc really isn’t. For one thing, Chanel no longer uses exotic skins in their collections, so instead, what you see above is embossed croc calfskin, which the French luxury house has decided to commit to for many reasons, but the one that stands out is because of their Métiers d’Art houses. Instead of simply using exotic skins, the challenge now is for their artisans to come up with interpretations of ‘exotic’ skins for Chanel’s use, which also ensures the survival of the ateliers’ specialised crafts.

One of which has been used to great effect on the bag you see above, which also happens to be from Karl Lagerfeld’s finale collection for Chanel. Inspired by all things ancient Egypt and modern New York City, you can see the melding of the two on the bag. For one, the use of embossed croc, which were common back then swimming in the Nile. And the colours black, gold and silver, which were evident in both places. The use of the bold logotype is very modern and very NYC, and also the second thing that’s very special about this bag.

For the first time ever, the Gabrielle Hobo sees the addition of an additional strap, one that’s not found on all the other variants of the season. Finished with thick gold lettering, it also means you can now carry this bag via its ‘top handle’, or maybe even squeeze it over your tiny shoulders.

Available in 2 sizes and priced at SGD6350 (20 cm by 15 cm by 8 cm) and SGD7710 (28 cm by 21 cm by 10 cm) respectively, they come in either full black or full gold, which is something the ancient pharaohs would definitely approve of.

IMAGE: CHANEL