PHOTO COURTESY OF CHANEL
Few accessories carry the cultural gravitas of Chanel’s 2.55. A wearable piece of history, it remains a symbol of feminine liberation and timeless elegance.
Designed by Mademoiselle Gabrielle herself, the handbag debuted in an era that demanded practicality without sacrificing poise. To appreciate it fully is to look beyond the quilted surface, and to the stories meticulously stitched into every fold.
01 - The name 2.55 itself is history. It marks the exact month and year of its launch, February 1955, forever anchoring the design to its origin. Simple yet enduring, it was the first official Chanel handbag, born from Mademoiselle’s vision of freedom and refinement.
02 - The shoulder strap was nothing short of revolutionary. Chanel added a metal chain that allowed women to move freely, hands unburdened. “Tired of carrying my bags by hand and losing them,” she once famously quipped, “I slipped a strap over them and slipped them over my shoulder.” This simple gesture redefined practicality in fashion.
03 - While many recognise the interlocking CC clasp today, the elegant rectangular Mademoiselle turnlock actually came first. A nod to Gabrielle Chanel herself, it predates Karl Lagerfeld’s later addition of the CC logo, which graces styles such as the 11.12 and the Classic Handbag.
04 - The signature quilted diamond pattern is also more than just decorative. Inspired by the jackets of stable boys, it links Chanel’s refined aesthetic back to her love of equestrian pursuits. Structure and softness, elegance and sport, all meet in this iconic pattern.
05 - Each 2.55 is built like haute couture, crafted inside-out by artisans in Chanel’s ateliers. Every stitch, every seam reflects hours of precision. The result? A handbag designed to last for generations, a testament to French craftsmanship at its finest.
06 - Modern iterations continue to remain faithful to the original. They retain the iconic Mademoiselle turnlock clasp and flat-link chain strap. Available in an array of materials, colours and sizes, the design remains unmistakably Chanel.
07 - A quick check on Chanel Singapore’s online platform reveals that the classic style comes in three sizes. The Mini 2.55, 2.55 Handbag and Large 2.55 Handbag currently retail at SGD7540, SGD15,680 and SGD16,900 respectively. Indeed, this is proof that icons, much like history, only appreciate with time.
08 - Seasonal iterations, such as the recent ones from Métiers d’Art, have brought fresh flair and eye-catching finishes. These include velvet versions embellished with diamanté details on both clasp and chain.
09 - As the new artistic director of fashion activities, Matthieu Blazy launched his first collection on 6 October. And making its poignant return on the spring-summer 2026 runway was none other than the 2.55. But instead of the typical flap bag, Blazy moulded it with a lived-in appearance, deliberately leaving it open.
10 - At the re-see, glimpses of quilted leather versions, alongside striking full-metal 2.55 minaudières, quickly stirred online chatter. Whether destined for production or symbolic of a new creative era, the story of the 2.55 continues.
