Let the Chanel bags madness continue! Tonight I’d like to feature the Chanel Hollywood NS Hobo, which is straight from the runway and goes for a terrifying $3,750. This hobo is also available in a gold version.

Opinions?

So much for cleaning up her act. I have no idea why some females decide that Halloween is an excuse to dress like a 2 cent hooker. Sure, it was cool when you were a freshman in college, but to continue the ‘I’m a slutty ________” is downright tacky. And Paris Hilton has tainted young girls minds, dressing as Alice from DISNEY’S! Alice in Wonderland. I mean come on, isn’t anything sacred anymore. And speaking of sacred, what on earth has this girl done to her Chanel Perforated White Jumbo Flap Handbag??? GASP! Such a lovely piece has been used and abused, showing significant wear, tear, and dirt all over it. I understand that a handbag is meant to be worn, but give your bag just a little respect. Then again, when you are used to spending someone else’s money everyday in large quantities, money really has no value to you. I’m just going to keep shaking my head at this girl, and asking her to give me her handbags that she plans on ruining before they are ruined. I promise to take care of them!

Images via CU

One very commonly asked question on our Chanel Forum is on the difference between the Chanel Classic Flap and the Chanel Reissue 2.55 bags. I’ve scoured the forums this morning to educate myself, and our readers about the differences between the two. Let me start with a few historical facts on the Reissue.

HISTORY:

The lock on the Reissue is the original lock, it is called the Mademoiselle Lock as Ms Coco Chanel never married, the ‘CC’ lock was introduced to the Classic Flap Bags only in the 1980s by designer Karl Lagerfeld. The 2.55 in its name refers to the first release of the 2.55 bag in February of 1955. Coco Chanel grew up in an orphanage/convent, therefore, the double chain shoulder strap comes from when the children’s’ caretakers in the orphanage would dangle keys from their waists with the same type of chains as on the Reissue. Also, the zippered compartment on the inside of the front flap of the Reissue is where Coco sequestered her love letters, as she was having an affair at that time. The brownish red color of the inside represents the color of Coco and the rest of the children’s uniforms (the nuns’ were black with white trim: thus, the packaging on Chanel Parfum/Eau de Parfum/Eau de Toilette). The back outside flap of the Reissue actually marks where Coco would stash extra money!

Over the years there have been many variations to the original design of the 2.55, including the leather/fabric, the chain – metal vs. interwoven leather, single flap vs. double flap, and the closure – mademoiselle vs. interlocking CC. The 2.55 refers to all flap-style bags, including variations of the original! The term classic flap commonly refers to the flap with the interlocking CC closure and the leather interwoven chain.

In February 2005, Karl Lagerfeld re-made the 2.55 – exactly as Coco Chanel had made in 1955, in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the 2.55. It came to be known as the Reissue. Technically the term Reissue should only be used for the bags that were made to commemorate the original – so only those in 2005. However, it has become convenient to call all 2.55s that resemble the original 2.55 Reissues and all 2.55s that have the interlocking CCs Classic Flaps.

More on the fascinating history of the Reissue 2.55.

THE DIFFERENCES:

This thread, particularly post #57, gives a great amount of information on the differences between the two styles. If I may briefly summarize:

1. Closure/Locks: Classic has the double CC turn-style lock, the Reissue has the Mademoiselle lock (rectangular shape).
2. The handle: The reissue has an all chain handle, while the classic has leather interwoven between the chain links.
3. Reissue has a different type of leather, that is made to seem more worn than the caviar leather on the classics.
4. All the reissues have a double flap inside, whereas the Jumbo Classic does not.
5. The sizes on the Reissue are different than the sizes on the Classic Flaps.

SIZES & PRICES:

The Chanel Classic Flap Bag comes in three sizes:

Small – 9″ x 5.5″ x 2″ – $1,495.00 Caviar + $100.00 more for lambskin
Medium – 10″ x 6″ x 2.5″ – $1,595.00 Caviar + $100.00 more for the lambskin
Jumbo – 12″ x 8″ x 3″ – $1,695.00 Caviar + $100.00 more for the lambskin

The sizes for the Chanel Reissue 2.55:

$1,795 A302224: – The Baby 7.5 W x 5.75 H x 1.75 D inches
$1,895 A302225: – Small 9.75″ x 7.06″ x 2.16″
$1,995 A302226: – Medium 11″ x 8″ x 2.5″
$2,095 A302227: – Large 12.25″ x 9.18″ x 2.5″
$2,495 A302228: – The X-Large aka Jumbo 14.2″ x 9.8″ x 3″ (rare)

There is a lot of visual aids in a forum thread with pictures of Reissues and Classic Flaps. An absolute must-see for enthusiastic Chanel bag collectors and lovers.

Chanel L.A. Bag

Hot from the Chanel Cruise 2008 collection, a range of handbags are making their way to the boutiques. The recent and upcoming price increases for Chanel handbags is exorbitant, but Chanel fans think it is worth it. As the brand continues to evolve, their best selling handbag is their classic and timeless flap bag. A hot bag from their Cruise 2008 collection is the Chanel L.A. Bag which sports the letters LA in red across this tote with chain handle. The bag is loved by many Chanel fans already and will start to pop up in boutiques soon. $1450 through your Chanel boutique or inquire through Nordstrom Seattle.

Chanel 2.55 Reissue Wallets on Chain

More eye candy for fans of Chanel handbags! The dark silver and light silver Chanel 2.55 Reissue wallets on a chain are quite fabulous. At $1,425 they are $25 less than the permanent collection lambskin style and are the perfect day-to-evening accessory. Featuring a mock-Mademoiselle snap closure, they can be worn as a pouchette, cross-body, or just tuck the strap in to use them as a clutch. Inquire at Nordstrom Seattle, phone number (206) 628-1390.

Assouline was the first luxury brand that used its publications as medium by creating luxury illustrated books dedicated to fashion, photography, art and design. The Assouline Chanel Luxe Edition has been produced exclusively for Assouline and features the signature black quilted Chanel leather on the slipcase with three volumes on the inside. Also, the silver metal Chanel logo is found on the outside. The three books focus on Gabrielle Chanel’s revolutionary style which has affected the fashion world that we know today immensely. The focus of each volume is integral parts of the Chanel brand, including Chanel, Fine Jewelry, and Perfume. This piece is not just a coffee table piece, it is a luxurious mixture of fashion and books which will be a conversation starter and a collectors piece. The Chanel Edition is a luxury edition which can ultimately be seen in the black quilted leather outside, red leather inside, and high price tag. This is a perfect Valentine’s Day gift, birthday gift, holiday gift, etc. Buy through Neiman Marcus for $550.

Chanel Anklet in Gold, $1,325.

As much as I dislike media attention whore Lindsay Lohan, it seems as if her pathetic drunken binges, drug abuse and ankle-fit alcohol detection devices rang in a new trend. That of anklets. Bizarre, but if it gets Chanel to create the eyebrow-raising 2.55 Ankle Bag, there must be something to it. A fad that will pass as quickly as it came.

Chanel Kaleidoscope Bag, $2,125

The Chanel Kaleidoscope Bag looks like M&M-sprinkled fun for Spring, but a bit steep in price for – what appears to be – a canvas bag.

Chanel COCO MANIA Brooch in black / white, $305 / $285

The Coco Deco pins are a great way to add a little Chanel glitz to a hat, scarf, blazer, necklace, or whatever your creative mind can come up with.

For these and many more Chanel accessories, call Nordstrom Seattle at 206.628.1390.

Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel said, “Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening.” What is happening in the world of Chanel right now is a new concept Boutique at 125 North Robertson Boulevard in Los Angeles. The idea behind this store is different and more innovative than the others, offering a “tightly focused and constantly renewed selection of products, hand chosen from the world of CHANEL and shown in a dynamic environment to offer a new point of view”. This boutique will always be one step ahead, offering an image of what Karl Lagerfeld has up his sleeve for the next season. Chanel continues to reinvent itself and up its game, making it stand in the forefront of luxury designers worldwide. And with the opening of this store comes a line of Chanel items exclusively available at this new boutique. Each item is available at the Robertson Boulevard Chanel boutique and you can call 800-550-0005 for more information.

Click on pictures for larger images

CHANEL Timeless Classic Handbag
Metallic calfskin/metal
$2,495

CHANEL Timeless Classic Handbag
Metallic calfskin/metal
$2,850

CHANEL ballet flat
Metallic caflskin
$595

I am typically on top of celebrity gossip, but for the life of me I have no idea, nor do I care, who Phoebe Price is. What I do know is that this red head was denied access to a Chanel Robertson Blvd. party. And this nobody was so pissed off, she went home to get the invite and prove to the PR girls at the door that she was on the list. Only to be denied again. So what did she do then? Grab her Jacoby & Meyers lawyers and held a public press conference outside of the Chanel store. She let Chanel know that if the PR girl in question was not fired and if she was not issued a formal apology by Chanel, she would sue. Phoebe has dragged this out, going on to talk to any paparazzi near her letting them know that if this is not settled she definitely will file charges so that no other celebrity has to be put through this again. If you ask me, I would call this red head a total drama queen. There has not been word yet if Price was actually on the list, if the PR girl was fired, or why I was not invited to the party. What I do know is that Phoebe Price is going to make this as big of a deal as she can for as long as she can. It will be interesting to see how it pans out.

More at TMZ.

English model Agyness Deyn made an appearance at the private party at the Chanel Boutique Dover Street Market dressed from head to toe in Chanel. The supermodel was wearing the latest and greatest from the house, including the Chanel Anklet in Red (which she wore on her arm) and the limited edition Chanel Union Jack quilted bag (ï¿¡835).