Chanel Handbags and Purses (Page 4)

Chanel may be known for its timeless designs, but with the introduction of the Boy Chanel collection, Chanel brings us a line that is both seductive and a slight change of pace. Unmistakably different, the collection strays from the quilted flap bags we have come to expect from the brand.

Made to be worn as a shoulder or cross-body bag, the Boy Chanel collection holds close to the Chanel aesthetic while providing an entirely different appeal. The designs are clean and bold, simple and appealing. In fact, the duality of the design is inspired by a cartridge bag that was originally made for hunters.

For those of you who were disappointed that Chanel’s Fall 2011 runway show only featured a couple of handbag styles, fret not. We have a few more pieces to show you, courtesy of the fine folks at Style.com, plus a closer look at the modified flap bags that were featured on several models during the presentation.

This still isn’t enough to evaluate the whole collection, but I like most of what I see so far. Although I don’t entirely understand the photo of the gold python bag(s) (is it one or two?), I simply adore the finish of the material and hope to see it on lots of accessories come fall. In addition to the runway bags, designs of which you guys already know I approve, I’m also digging the post-apocalyptic python flap bag up top. It looks like it’s decomposing, but against all odds, Chanel makes it work in the context of the dystopian Fall 2011 collection. Check out the photos after the jump.

Chanel is synonymous with timelessness. The brand’s coveted 2.55 bag (which is in fact its “date of birth”, February, 1955) continues to gain popularity for its classic design and longevity. Many people’s handbag collections have sprinklings of Chanel accessories from decades ago that never seem to age.

Mademoiselle Chanel designed her accessories to be both practical and sensible. To her, the accessories signified true emblem of luxury and elegance. This remains true to this day with Karl Lagerfeld at the helm of the brand.

Did you notice how I turned the noun watch plural in the title? That wasn’t merely because I am showing more than one version, that is because I truly want a whole collection of Chanel J12 watches. From what I have been told, collecting J12 watches becomes quite the addiction and I can easily see why.

Today Vlad and I had a business lunch at Fred’s which is on the top floor of Barneys NY (their chicken soup is absolutely amazing, New York Mag was right in voting it the best in the City).

Anyhow, we wandered down to the bottom floor to check out Le Labo, a store that specializes in freshly handmade fragrances composed by some of the world’s best perfumers. I opted to buy a candle and decided my Chanel Classic Flap needed a photo op while our candle was getting customized.

You can never go wrong with a Chanel bag, isn’t that the truth?

With the online launch of Chanel Spring 2011 comes the advent of Chanel Outstanding Pieces Spring 2011, which is the special moniker that the French brand uses for the most intricate, luxurious and expensive designs from each of its product categories. Encompassing everything from rare exotic leathers to hand embroidery, these bags are the creme de la creme from one of the finest leather goods companies in the world.

Would you like a Chanel Classic Flap completely covered in glittering crystals? It can be yours. What about a baby pink crocodile Mademoiselle bag? That too. Chanel doesn’t publicly release prices for thes pieces, but the old trope probably applies: If you have to ask, you can’t afford it. I know I can’t, but looking? Looking is free.

Since Chanel showed its diverse, covetable selection of Spring 2011 handbags in Paris back in October, I’ve been waiting patiently (ok, not-so-patiently) for detailed shots of the designs to hit the web. Now that they have, I feel confident saying that along with Pre-Spring 2011, Chanel Spring 2011 is some of the strongest work from the brand’s accessories team in recent memory. There’s a little something for everyone here, from the staunch Chanel traditionalist to the young woman who wants to mix neon and tweed.

I’m particularly excited to see that the fantastic leather-bound book clutch has made its way to retail, as well as some of the utterly feminine scarf-woven bags. What I loved but didn’t expect to see was a slim black and white clutch detailing the ceiling of Paris’ Grand Palais, where Chanel presents its collections every season. Not only is it beautiful and neutral enough to actually be used, but I could see it quickly becoming a collector’s item among Chanel devotees.