PHOTO COURTESY OF CHANEL
For his Chanel debut, Matthieu Blazy does the unthinkable with the spring-summer 2026 collection. He takes the iconic 2.55 Handbag and deliberately updates it with a lived-in look. In doing so, Chanel fashion’s new artistic director creates one of the most exciting handbags of the season.
The new rendition reads like a masterclass in subversion. At first glance, it looks well-loved, taking on an eclectic shape from daily movements. However, the real magic lies beneath the surface. For the first time, Chanel embeds discreet wire framing within the leather, allowing you to sculpt it as you wish. You can pinch the corners or crush the flap, so it stays nonchalantly ajar.
PHOTO COURTESY OF CHANEL
For years, clean lines defined the head-turning original, a status symbol both polished and pristine. But now, the new 2.55 Handbag flips that script entirely. No two bags will look the same, since the user becomes the architect of its final silhouette. It also aligns with the current ‘open bag’ trend, holding its form slightly ajar. Still, purists can close it with the Mademoiselle clasp, though it requires a little manoeuvring.
Available in two sizes, the first measures 24 cm wide and 16 cm high while the second measures 33 cm by 22 cm, this season’s star retails at SGD19,500 and SGD20,770 respectively. It comes in Black and Dark Burgundy lambskin for a classic finish. Inside, the secondary double flap remains, along with multiple pockets, slots and zipped compartments. While the interior respects the original, the exterior frame is where all the innovation happens.
Whether you mould it into a boxy statement or crush it into a softer form, Chanel’s spring-summer 2026 iteration of the 2.55 Handbag becomes an extension of your movement. In fashion, perfection often feels easy and expected. However, this kind of beautiful, intentional imperfection proves much harder to achieve, and even harder to ignore.
