Chanel Medium Boy Bag
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21st Century and Contemporary Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
2010s Italian Shoulder Bags
2010s Italian Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
2010s Italian Shoulder Bags
2010s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
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2010s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
2010s French Structured Shoulder Bags
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2010s French Shoulder Bags
2010s Italian Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
2010s Italian Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
2010s Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
2010s Italian Shoulder Bags
2010s French Shoulder Bags
2010s Italian Shoulder Bags
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2010s Italian Evening Bags and Minaudières
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21st Century and Contemporary Shoulder Bags
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2010s French Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Shoulder Bags
2010s French Shoulder Bags
2010s Italian Shoulder Bags
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2010s Italian Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
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21st Century and Contemporary Italian Shoulder Bags
2010s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
2010s Italian Crossbody Bags and Messenger Bags
2010s Structured Shoulder Bags
2010s Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
2010s Structured Shoulder Bags
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21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary French Structured Shoulder Bags
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Structured Shoulder Bags
2010s Structured Shoulder Bags
2010s French Structured Shoulder Bags
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Shopping for a Medium Chanel Boy Bag?
Created by Karl Lagerfeld, the Chanel Boy bag is an edgy, impossibly hip fashion staple. The design is named after Arthur Edward Capel. The British aristocrat and polo player was nicknamed “Boy” and, for a number of years, was a romantic partner of Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel.
On 1stDibs medium Boy bags can be found in a range of leathers and skin such as quilted lambskin, chevron leather and more. (You can also shop large Chanel Boy bags and compact small Chanel Boy bags here, too.)
One of the world’s most iconic luxury brands, Chanel was founded in Paris in 1910 by Coco Chanel. The visionary designer transformed traditionally masculine garments into wearable, feminine fashion, earning the attention of the Parisian elite. Today, the brand continues to be a front-runner for creative and ready-to-wear fashion as well as handbags.
Authentic Chanel handbags and purses are some of the most well-known and sought-after accessories in the world. With a subtle and chic aesthetic, many of the legendary French house’s crossbody bags, shoulder bags, tote bags and other bags are popular among celebrities and fashion obsessives. The brand’s best-known bag, the Classic Double Flap bag, includes Chanel’s signature quilting and leather interlaced through a chain strap. Other iconic styles include the Gabrielle and the Boy bag.
The Chanel Boy bag debuted in the Chanel Fall/Winter collection of 2011. Because of his track record for reviving and reimagining brands that had grown stagnant, in the early 1980s the Hamburg-born Lagerfeld was handed the reins at Chanel, which had been gathering dust since its founder’s heyday. Despite producing eight collections a year for Chanel, as well as four to five for Fendi, Lagerfeld never faltered in proposing new ideas each time he put pencil to paper.
A variation on the popular Boy bag also designed by Lagerfeld, Chanel’s playful Boy Brick Lego bag has become a collector's item.
Shop a variety of medium Chanel Boy bags on 1stDibs.
Chanel for sale on 1stDibs
In the years following the opening of her modest millinery shop, Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel became a pivotal designer of both fashionable casual wear and Paris haute couture as well as an icon and arbiter of 20th-century style with her bob haircut and pearls. Today vintage Chanel handbags, jackets and evening dresses are among the most sought-after clothing and accessories for fashion lovers all over the world.
The first Chanel shop was established in 1910 in Paris on rue Cambon by the young milliner Gabrielle Chanel (1883–1971), who had picked up the nickname “Coco” while working as a club singer. The boutique drew the attention of the Parisian fashion elite who popularized her wide-brimmed Chanel Modes hats. Soon she added a sportswear store in the Normandy resort town of Deauville, where Coco set the tone for her defining sense of style — traditionally masculine garments reimagined for feminine shapes, made from simple jersey fabric.
Effortless and elegant, Chanel's designs promoted comfort and grace in women’s wear that had been dominated in the previous century by complicated layers of fabric and cumbersome corsets. She followed this success with a couture house, opened in 1915 in Biarritz.
But Chanel was not born into a life of glamour. Following the death of her mother, her father left her in an orphanage where she lived until the age of 18. It was there that she learned to sew as well as appreciate the classic pairing of black and white as worn by the nuns.
In 1926, Chanel introduced her first little black dress, reclaiming a color that had once been reserved for mourning and working-class women. That same decade, she debuted her perfume, Chanel No. 5, as well as the Chanel suit with a fitted skirt, inspired by the boxy lines of men’s clothing and employing a sporty tweed.
Chanel closed her fashion operations during World War II, then returned to the industry in 1954 to design for the functional needs of modern women.
Structure and wearability endured in all of Chanel’s clothing and accessories, like the quilted leather 2.55 handbag — a 1955 update of a 1920s-era design — with its gold-chain shoulder strap that freed up a woman’s hands. The 1957 two-tone slingback pumps had a practical heel height while offering a bold statement in the black tip of the shoes. Her collarless jacket reacted against the constricting styles of Christian Dior's New Look, replacing them with a design that was timeless, an instant classic.
After Coco Chanel died in 1971, the brand underwent several changes in leadership, including fashion designer Karl Lagerfeld, who took over as artistic director in 1983. His collections for Chanel displayed his knack for synthesizing old and new, high and low. Lagerfeld revived Chanel ballet flats and thoroughly embraced the classic logo's interlocking CCs, which took the form of a clasp featured on so many of the rare Chanel bags that are much sought after today.
Vintage Karl Lagerfeld designs for Chanel dresses, coats and other clothing of the 1980s, '90s and 2000s riffed on its iconography, accenting a lexicon of Chanel-isms with tastes of the moment. And as the 1990s have become associated with styles adopted by today’s supermodels and influencers, vintage Chanel bags of the 1990s are among the most prized of the brand’s offerings.
Over the years, the company has continued to innovate, such as expanding into ready-to-wear fashion in 1978 and, in 2002, establishing a subsidiary company — Paraffection — dedicated to preserving the heritage skills of fashion artisan workshops. The House of Chanel still operates its flagship on rue Cambon in Paris, where it all began.
Browse vintage Chanel bags, evening dresses, shoes, jewelry and other clothing and accessories on 1stDibs.
Finding the Right Handbags and Purses for You
An integral part of fashion, handbags and purses have been indispensable accessories ever since we began to carry around personal items. Level of craftsmanship, style and shape matters — from coin purses in ancient Greece to early 20th-century opera bags and onward, handbags have evolved considerably over the years to meet our needs and desires, whether or not you happen to be prioritizing functionality over a flashy exterior.
Once, a single “It” handbag ruled each fashion season. No more. Today, lovers of vintage handbags are savvier and have a wider range of shopping options. Nevertheless, classics created by the likes of Louis Vuitton, Dior and Balenciaga still rule.
“It is not a fashion bag — it is a statement bag,” says Mightychic's Debra Kent of Hermès's widely beloved accessories. “When you carry an iconic Hermès bag — Birkin, Kelly, Constance — no one knows how long you have been into this culture or if you are a newbie. Your status is validated immediately.”
First released in 1997, Fendi's Baguette rose to fame along with Carrie Bradshaw, the Sex and the City character portrayed by Sarah Jessica Parker. Recently, the design has seen such a resurgence in popularity that Fendi has reissued it.
They are part of design history, so owning a handbag has meaning. As New York–based fashion historian Sarah C. Byrd says, “You have made the choice to invest in this piece because you understand the value of it in the past and in the future to come.”
From a 1980s Chanel black leather quilted mini buckle bag to the rare Hermès Birkin 30cm Himalayan with diamond hardware to a range of 19th-century bags, find a rich variety of vintage and designer handbags and purses spanning numerous brands on 1stDibs — seasonal “It” designation no longer needed.
- How much is a Chanel tote?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021A Chanel tote's price can vary on the second depending on size, model, condition, and age. New Chanel small clutches start at around $1,900 while totes and other purses fetch $4,000-$5,000.
- Are Chanel earrings real gold?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021All of Chanel's fine jewelry is made with 18K Gold (both yellow and white) and platinum and all of the diamonds used have very high clarity and color with a perfect set, resulting in some of the highest quality jewelry.
- Are Chanel pearls real?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Although some Chanel jewelry contains real freshwater pearls, much of their costume jewelry is made from coated glass, though they are still high quality.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Depending on the bag's material, a vintage Chanel can be quite expensive. For instance, a vintage crocodile top handle bag costs around $130,000. The classic quilted leather bag is around $10,000.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021The latest prices for the Chanel wallet on chain is $3,100. There are many variations of this classic design, with some selling for closer to $2,100.
- Is Chanel a luxury brand?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Yes, Chanel is one of the most desirable luxury brands in the world. This top-class designer brand creates their products from quality raw materials and high production methods while employing some of the best-known talent in the fashion world. Find many Chanel accessories and apparel on 1stDibs.
- Who is the founder of Chanel?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel is the founder of Chanel. She established her first shop in 1910 in Paris on rue Cambon, and her boutique drew the attention of the Parisian fashion elite, who popularized her wide-brimmed Chanel Modes hats. Coco opened a sportswear store in the Normandy resort town of Deauville, where she set the tone for her defining sense of style—traditionally masculine garments reimagined for feminine shapes, made from simple jersey fabric. Chanel would go on to become famous for introducing the first-ever handbag to feature a shoulder strap and the little black dress. On 1stDibs, shop a variety of Chanel apparel, bags and accessories.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Although costume jewelry is usually more affordable because many Chanel costume pieces have a timeless style as well as good craftsmanship, they hold their value and so can be sold at an expensive price.
- What is Chanel?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertJanuary 4, 2022Chanel is a luxury French fashion house founded by Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel in 1910. Focused on women’s ready-to-wear clothing and haute couture, Chanel is most famous for the 1921 perfume Chanel No. 5, the 1925 Chanel Suit and the iconic 1926 little black dress, which remains a staple in women’s closets around the world to this day. Shop a collection of vintage and designer Chanel pieces from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- What is Chanel Matelasse?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Chanel Matelasse is a quilted Chanel bag. It's an emblem of the Chanel brand. Chanel Matelasse bags and other Chanel bags can be found on 1stDibs.
- What does Chanel 5 smell like?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Chanel No. 5 smells like a subtle mix of florals, including rose, ylang-ylang, jasmine, lily of the valley and iris, sandalwood, and a hint of vanilla. Chanel No. 5 is one of the most popular scents in the world.
- Does Chanel make bedding?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 4, 2024Yes, Chanel has made bedding. Long after it established itself as a pioneering fashion label, the French luxury brand eventually expanded into home accessories and decor. Throw blankets, pillows and other goods for the home have been a part of its offerings over the years.
The legendary designer and entrepreneur Gabrielle "Coco" Chanel was very fond of well-appointed interiors. "Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only," she said.
A private apartment for the designer that occupied a floor at 31 rue Cambon in Paris, the building that housed her first boutique, was home to decorative screens, bookshelves filled with books (Chanel was an avid reader), Louis XIV furniture, beige carpets and a sofa of her own design.
A home built by architect Robert Streitz called La Pausa, located in a sizable detached villa in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France, was designed by Chanel and based on the convent-orphanage she lived in as a child. Chanel also created the interiors, reportedly with support from celebrated French designer Stéphane Boudin of Maison Jansen.
Find vintage Chanel blankets and other home accessories on 1stDibs. - 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022There are 310 Chanel boutiques located across the globe; 94 in Asia, 70 in Europe, 10 in the Middle East, 127 in North America, 2 in South America and 6 in Oceania. In addition to the Chanel boutiques, there are many authorized retailers of the Chanel line. Find a collection of expertly vetted Chanel fashions, accessories, and handbags from some of the world’s top reputable boutiques on 1stDibs.
- Do Chanel bags go up in value?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022The value of Chanel bags has been steadily increasing for years. This is because each year, they make a “limited run,” which means that there are only so many available to purchase from the Chanel store or expertly vetted platforms from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- How much is a Chanel purse?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021The cost of a Chanel purse depends on its material, rarity, style and condition. On 1stDibs.com, you can purchase a Chanel purse starting from $280.
- Where are Chanel bags made?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertJanuary 4, 2022Chanel bags are made in France and Italy. The contemporary version of Chanel’s 11.12 bag, for instance, starts its life in a small factory in Verneuil-en-Halatte, located 90 minutes north of Paris, where the pieces of lambskin are cut by artisans with six years of training. The pieces are sent to Paris, where embroiderers spend a week embellishing the components, incorporating slight variations that make each bag a one-of-a-kind piece. Then, the leather pieces are shipped back to Verneuil, where craftspeople assemble them by hand into the iconic rectangular shape, complete with intricate piping and beading. Shop a collection of vintage and contemporary Chanel bags from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- Who is Chanel owned by?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Chanel is owned by Alain Wertheimer and Gérard Wertheimer. They are the grandsons of Pierre Wertheimer, the business partner of Coco Chanel, who founded the luxury fashion house in 1909. Shop a wide range of Chanel apparel and accessories on 1stDibs.
- When was Chanel founded?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertJanuary 4, 2022Chanel was founded in 1910 by Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel, a French fashion designer who opened a hat boutique in Paris that year. Chanel went on to transform women’s fashion with revolutionary and elegant designs that tore down gender boundaries and freed women from the confining fashions of the day. Find vintage and contemporary Chanel bags, clothing and accessories from some of the world’s top boutiques on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Chanel Mademoiselle perfume smells like orange, jasmine, rose, patchouli and vetiver. It is quite a bold and fresh scent.
- Why is Chanel so expensive?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021Chanel is so expensive because it is a top-class designer brand which creates their products from quality raw materials and high production methods while employing some of the top talent in the fashion world. The brand's innovative designs along with its creative marketing strategy make Chanel a highly coveted brand.
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