Ah...Chanel, a brand as luxurious as it sounds when you say it out loud. Perhaps the most infamous French fashion house in history, Chanel is a name we all know, love and respect. We've all had the image of Coco sitting in her studio, smoking a cigarette, designing little black dresses and tweed suits cross our minds. However, when one thinks of Chanel, the Classic Flap handbag is naturally the first image that comes to mind - and the Boy bag, designed under the creative direction of Karl Lagerfeld, is not far behind.
If you've never seen either of these bags before then there's a very high chance that you live under a rock - no, but seriously. Classic Flaps and Boy bags are so common some of us are frankly irritated from seeing them so frequently. These timeless bags, despite their beauty, have ceased to stand out in crowds. This doesn't necessarily mean there's anything wrong with the actual bags, in fact - it's quite the opposite; it's the colours that bore us. Black and nude coloured bags just don't seem to it for us anymore. As bright hues and avant-garde designs are currently seen everywhere from the runway to the streets, here are some of our all time favourite variations of Chanel's most iconic handbags
The Iridescent Boy
Your six year old self's dream of being a mermaid when she grew up can somehow, kind of, maybe come true? The Iridescent Boy was presented to the world in Chanel's Cruise 2016 collection. Crafted in iridescent goatskin, this shimmery bag took the Chanel lovers of the word by storm. Available in purple, black, green and bronze with rainbow hardware, the Iridescent Boy looks like it was crafted by the Gods. Alluring and romantic, this Boy is a prime example of how colour doesn't need to be loud or in-your-face. Another reason to drool over this bag? Kylie Jenner has it and it's not just one of the million handbags she has. After posting a picture with it on Instagram, Kylie announced that she had never considered herself a "Boy Bag-type girl," obviously, this was the exception - and with good reason.
The Flower Power Graffiti Boy
From Chanel's 2015 Spring / Summer collection, the Flower Power Graffiti bag was inspired by iconic symbols and movements in the 1970s. It was "all about the streets" according to Karl Lagerfeld. There's something innocent and romantic about this particular bag, contrasted with the intention behind it. The somewhat harsh CC graffitied logo prominently placed on the front of the bag is balanced with cluster of soft multi-colours. Though it might not make sense on paper, the art of juxtaposition is something Lagerfeld is a master at. Crafted from smooth lambskin leather with silver tone hardware, this Boy is definitely a head-turner for those confident enough to wear it.
The Patchwork Classic Flap
A beautiful ensemble of mixed and matched colours and fabrics, the Patchwork Classic Flap from Chanel's Cruise 2011 collection is definitely hard to miss. Deemed as one of the rarest pieces from Chanel, naturally it's extremely hard to get your hands on. Fun and quirky, the Patchwork isn't a bag you often see replicated. Available in multi-coloured patches of leather, velvet, denim, tweed and canvas, the Patchwork was also presented in different shades of blue, pink and black and white. It was sold out in stores almost instantly and appeared in countless magazines, not to mention on the arm of Miss Blair Waldorf - the queen of the Upper East Side. It's original and unique design makes it a collectors item and a true investment piece.
The Black Mosaic Embroidered Flap
From Chanel's Fall / Winter 2015 collection named the "Brassiere Gabrielle," the brand debuted the extravagant Black Mosaic Embroidered Flap bag. Crafted from smooth lambskin with an abundance of multi-coloured mosaic tiles embossed throughout, this piece is nothing short of enchanting. The French brassiere theme was evident throughout the entire collection, but especially when it came to the accessories. Seen paired with identical garments, the tiled handbags were the stars of the show. Though this seasonal piece is definitely not for every day use, perhaps practicality wasn't the point. I mean, look at it - it's a work of art. The Mosaic Embroidered Flap is the farthest thing from average and looks like it could be placed in a gallery. Given how rare it is, we wouldn't doubt that it eventually it actually might be.
The Dallas Boy
From the Metiers d'Art 2013 / 2014 collection, Chanel introduced a Texas-inspired Boy bag to the world. Though this collection sparked major controversy with its "Cowboys and Indians" theme, the bags were still a huge hit. Though Chanel claims the collection was a celebration of Native American culture and not an act of appropriation, it continued to receive criticism and backlash despite an apology from the brand. Regardless, the bag series was highly anticipated by Chanel lovers everywhere. Crafted from tooled, tan lambskin leather, the Dallas Boy was a top favourite with its unique leaf and acorn pattern motif. Contrasted with the rustic, ruthenium hardware this bag has a real earthy feel to it - almost like it was crafted from genuine wood. An exceptional piece that's now extremely hard to find, the Dallas Boy is definitely a necessary addition to any unique handbag collection.
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