Exclusive: Chanel Diamond Forever Classic Bag
Image via Forbes
Big news in the handbag world. Chanel has announced the newest limited edition and highly coveted handbag. With only 13 available worldwide, this handbag sits upon the accessory throne as one of the most expensive luxury handbags in the world. The Chanel Diamond Forever Classic Bag will debut in December adorned with 3.56 carats made up of 334 diamonds, 18 carat white gold hardware, and white alligator skin. Five of these ostentatious handbags will be available in the states. The price tag on this number is a staggering $261,000. Yes the price is sky high, but these bags are masterpieces, works of art. With only 13 being made, owning one would be similar to an art collector owning a Picasso.
Let’s discuss: Is this bag worth the price? If you owned it would you carry it or think of it as a piece of art? Who do you think will be one of the lucky 13?
Following up with her first article on the World’s Most Extravagant Handbags, Hitha Prabhakar at Forbes interviewed me again for this article. Article and exclusive pictures below!
It’s never too early to start thinking about your holiday wish list.
Sure to top it this year? Chanel’s “Diamond Forever” tote (pictured left). In December, the company will debut 13 of these diamond and alligator handbags just in time for the holiday shopping crunch. Each is a stepped-up version of the classic Chanel shoulder bag, with the iconic Chanel “Cs” encrusted in a staggering 334 diamonds (a total of 3.56 carats) set in 18-carat white gold. The alligator skin is farmed and treated with a matte finish.
The total cost: $260,150.
While few may actually end up owning this bag, the demand for other high-end handbags has skyrocketed. Online retailer eluxury.com saw sales of luxury handbags (those over $500) increase 11% last year.
“People want to spend their money on frivolous things,” says Pamela Danziger, author of Why People Buy Things They Don’t Need and founder of luxury goods research company Unity Marketing. “[And] handbags definitely fall into that category.”
Scarcity is also driving desire for these totes. Something that is hard to obtain or impossible to find will be more valuable, says Meaghan Mahoney, editor of the daily news and handbag review online site purseblog.com.
“A handbag [such as] the Chanel Diamond Forever bag is more of a collector’s item than something you use on a daily basis,” she says. “Like an exquisite car or a rare painting, it’s the limited availability and high demand that make this handbag more valuable.”
A bigger sized picture of this gem attached to the Purse Forum thread linked below!
- Posted by Megs on 8.6.2007 in Chanel Handbags , In The Press , Limited Editions.
OMG.
That HAS to be the most BEAUTIFUL bag I have EVER seen in my LIFE! I would DEFINITELY carry it, but only to glamorous events…
STUNNING. But that price tag…
In this case, if you’re one of the 13, you’re SO LUCKY.
8.6.2007 - 5:15 pm
beautiiiiiiful…
I’d say one of the more glamorous and elegant bags of Chanel.
And of course I would wear it out, only to extravagant events.. other than that I would buy a glass case at home and leave it in there for show case.
and for the lucky 13….
its gotta be some famous celebrities on there for sure.
and of course those billionaire men’s wives…lol
8.6.2007 - 6:11 pm
My jaw dropped when I saw the handbag! Beautifullll! $261K? If $261K is like $261.00 to me then yes I would buy it.
8.6.2007 - 6:36 pm
Hopefully we won’t see it in Brit’s hand with a can of Red Bull and a pack of cigs.
A gorgeous bag for sure (I would go to see it in a store, like going to a museum), such beautiful detail. Sigh.
8.6.2007 - 7:10 pm
Wow, SUCH a beautiful bag…
But even if I could afford it, I would never buy it. I’d be too scared to carry it around anywhere…
8.6.2007 - 7:18 pm
The double C closure looks so tacky encrusted with diamonds, real or not and the chain would look so much better without being covered by croc.
It’s only worth the value of the materials that is was made with, and whatever labor went into it, but no more, it just isn’t that pretty.
8.6.2007 - 8:17 pm
GORGEOUS!!! I would for SURE show this baby off if I could afford it…and watch heads turn
8.6.2007 - 8:22 pm
I actually think it’s a bit… tacky/ostentatious.
8.6.2007 - 8:28 pm
Oh I’d love to own this bag. Meanwhile I’m still torn between a Chanel Timeless Clutch or the new YSL Tribute Bag. I need help.
8.6.2007 - 9:14 pm
I’d love to own it but it’s not worth the price. Maybe $80,000 to $100,000 but not that much. Ridic.
8.6.2007 - 11:00 pm
Yeah. Even though I love bags, I will never fork out $261,000 for a bag. I don’t think any bag can be worth that much. It is precisely because we keep buying more and more expensive bags that designers daringly and increasingly price their bags at astronomical prices.
8.7.2007 - 12:45 am
I think the bag is hideous. yikes, I feel like I’m cheating on chanel saying that!
8.7.2007 - 12:50 am
How much do you think the monthly rate on this bag would be if they had it on bag, borrow, or steal? LOl!!!
8.7.2007 - 2:18 am
http://www.chicintuition.com
8.7.2007 - 5:58 am
It is a work of art!
8.7.2007 - 7:19 am
i wish they did’nt cover the straps with croc leather. maybe just chains? it seems over. and for that price? outrageously ridiculous!
8.7.2007 - 7:37 am
This bag is definitely for the wife of a billionaire or a lady who lunches. Whoever buys it, I hope they are members of the purse forum and take pics for us!
8.7.2007 - 8:36 am
I agree with you Lisa, I hope one of the lucky buyers will be a member of the purse forum! What a delight. I love the diamonds. Simply stunning
8.7.2007 - 9:36 am
This bag is SOOOO HAWT! The sad thing is someone like Paris Hilton is going to end up with it….And she is only going to carry it like once!
8.7.2007 - 10:00 am
Hmmm this Chanel bag disappoints me. (I love Chanel!)
It screams “LOOK AT ME!! I’VE GOT MONEY”, which is terribly tacky.
I’m sure that new money or a celeb wanting attention will buy it.
8.7.2007 - 1:36 pm
I don’t think we have to worry about good ol’ Brit having it. It seems that she only carries Chanel knock offs these days. I love that bag but I’d have to sell one of my children to afford it. Do you think Angelina Jolie wants another? I’m kidding of course!
8.7.2007 - 3:41 pm
Love this bag, I would not wear this bag without an armed guard.
8.8.2007 - 11:44 am
Get the timeless clutch I just got mine in black and one in white, they are so classic and gorgeous but the ysl is soooooooo nice too!!
8.8.2007 - 12:52 pm
Totally agreeing with this post. The design isn’t anything special and it’s a complete waste of good leather and diamonds.
8.8.2007 - 7:38 pm
I WANT THAT BAG OMG!Its unbelieveable!!!!awesome, but i do like the chain handles better classy touch to it this really doesnt look worth the time and money for it? again ladies were paying for the name
8.9.2007 - 5:23 pm
holy shiizer !
that’s beautiful!
=)
(looks at the price and faints)
8.9.2007 - 5:31 pm
That is truly hideous and obnoxious. Wouldn’t buy it if it were for $20.
8.10.2007 - 1:23 pm
OMG!!! That purse……..is beautiful. Wow……..I think Chanel has truly outdone themselves……..I love it.
8.12.2007 - 11:57 pm
the price is sky high, i think i would like to advertise it rather than own it
8.17.2007 - 10:17 am
Not just billionaires but multi-millionaires can buy this bag too. I don’t think it’s worth no 261k. Ridiculous.
8.17.2007 - 5:17 pm
I don’t care if I was Oprah rich, I still wouldn’t pay 261k for no damn bag. Hermes don’t even cost that much.
8.17.2007 - 5:25 pm
it ok, nothing really stands out about it so i doubt anyone is gonna demand it as such.
you could buy a house for the price of this bag haha.
8.21.2007 - 3:28 pm
The price is really over the top.. But it is a GORGIOUS bag. I would prefer it also without the alligator on the straps, but that’s my taste. I would only buy it if I was insainly rich and would have at least spend the same amount on worthy charity, otherwise it would be materialism ad absurdum…
8.24.2007 - 6:02 am
The idea is not very original remebering that Hermes has the crocodile birking bag white white gold and diamonds for 148 000 dollars…
8.28.2007 - 2:30 pm
I LOVE CHANEL.
9.1.2007 - 4:48 pm
9.2.2007 - 9:03 am
I think that (idealisticly, of course!) Chanel should go against what’s expected of them and give their bags to normal, (yet chic and fabulous), citizens. Why give them to royalty/celebs who can have whatever they want? Give them to people who will truly value them.
9.2.2007 - 2:22 pm
9.2.2007 - 5:23 pm
9.2.2007 - 5:24 pm
9.2.2007 - 5:24 pm
OMG!
This Bag Is Just So Gorgeous!!
I SOOOO Want One But That Aint Gonna Happen Eh?
Whos Got One Allready? And Who MIGHT Be Getting One?
xxo
9.6.2007 - 12:49 pm
shoot…more expensive than my bentley
9.11.2007 - 9:02 pm
I agree with you 100%, but I wish they did’nt cover the straps with croc leather.
9.12.2007 - 11:53 am
I love this bag it is sooooo elegant but still stands out. I would use it to go to like the Oscars
but then like lock it in a maximum security vault 
10.3.2007 - 9:24 pm
This is gorgeous, but over the top!
10.10.2007 - 12:36 am
There are actually going to be 14 worldwide and only 4 of them in the United States (New York, Honolulu, Seattle, & Los Angeles). At $260,150 it’s going to have 18K white gold hardware and over three and a half carats of diamonds encrusted in the turn-lock with the actual construction of the bag being made of the most rare white alligator not to mention the hours required to treat the material, set the diamonds, and the detail required to create the Bijoux chain… in white gold, nonetheless. This, obviously, is not for the novice of Chanel (or any) bag buyer and is very much a piece that will act as the gem in any bag collector’s crown.
Raquel Zimmermann at the Cruise 2008 CHANEL Runway Show in Los Angeles (Look 36) with the Diamonds Forever… CHANEL Forever bag on her shoulder.
10.31.2007 - 8:05 pm
If I won a million dollars, I’d rush to get this RIGHT AWAY.
11.12.2007 - 9:51 pm
this bag is all expense and materials, but there is a complete lack of taste. in my opinion it completely cheapens chanels name as the people who will be able to afford this bag wont want something that looks so tacky. it screams ‘look at me!’ but not in a good way.
11.25.2007 - 9:29 am
i wante bays chane Runway Cubes Shopper - $3,750.
plaese gave me your cond bank or shopping?
12.10.2007 - 10:56 am
I just wanted to say f*ck all these handbag designers. What makes them so special and cost hundreds and thousands of dollars??! It’s so ridiculous. They are made from China, from the same manufactures that made all the knockoffs. It’s a freaking rip-off is all I have to say. To Chanel and all the similar high end handbag designers, you have your bags made from the same manufactures, and then take it to the US and around the world and charge it thousands of dollars. You’re the greediest people, trying to rip people off with your stup*d trademark. Chanel..the 2 C’s are nothing..you’re not selling people the material, you’re selling a freaking symbol, ripping people of hundreds of thousands dollars. I hate Chanel.
12.25.2007 - 10:48 pm
Paris will get this, stupid idiotic mindless heiress. She’ll have it use it once and tah-dah.
As for the bag, it disapoints me. Its just not right. Chanel isnt usually about this ‘flashy’ new money type-esque and i’m disapointed since Chanel is my favourite brand.
1.17.2008 - 3:55 pm
W0W
OMG!that’s like the BEST 
and proettiest purse 
we would definatly see Paris Hilton with one 
2.15.2008 - 2:04 pm
W0W
and proettiest purse 
we would definatly see Paris Hilton with one 
2.15.2008 - 2:06 pm
I SOOO AGREE
I THINK IM IN LURRRVE…WITH DA BAG LOL
4.4.2008 - 3:36 pm
It’s amazing what people will call beautiful if it has the right price tag on it. If anyone saw that bag at the swap meet it would be called just what it is… An ugly bag! It’s price is completely rediculous and there is no way I would ever pay that much for a bag. NO WAY!
8.21.2008 - 1:01 am
It is a bit over the top. What would you wear with it? Plain black. I’d feel like I was second and just there to carry ‘the purse’
9.3.2008 - 1:25 pm