CHANEL 11.12 the iconic bag of the French fashion house
With a history of more than 40 years, this bag carries within it the story of the past, present and future, like an invisible ribbon that tightly connects the heritage of the CHANEL brand through every seam, every strap interwoven with leather chains and ribbons.
CHANEL 11.12 or CHANEL Classic Flap Bag is definitely the most famous and sought-after bag line of the French fashion house . Born in 1983 under the creative hands of Karl Lagerfeld, this legendary bag has become one of the accessories that every woman around the world desires to own. No matter the circumstances, CHANEL 11.12 always shines with its luxurious beauty and flexible combination ability, from evening parties to everyday work days.
The birth of CHANEL 11.12
To understand the CHANEL 11.12 Flap Bag better, we need to go back to its enchanting origins. Designed by Karl Lagerfeld, it is a perfect reinterpretation of the 2.55 bag created by Gabrielle Chanel. In 1983, Lagerfeld replaced the 2.55's metal chain with a softer leather strap, and replaced the traditional Mademoiselle clasp with an interlocking "CC" logo.
The CHANEL 11.12 features signature details such as a leather and metal strap, a double-C metal clasp, and a diamond quilted pattern. These features not only create a timeless beauty but also affirm the iconic position of this bag in the world of fashion. This bag is not only a fashion accessory, but also a sophisticated combination of heritage, creativity and modern beauty, always accompanying women in every moment of life.
How to distinguish two legendary bag models: CHANEL 2.55 and CHANEL 11.12? Here are two highlights to help you clearly distinguish.
First, the launch date. The CHANEL 2.55 was designed by Gabrielle Chanel in February 1955 (as the name suggests), while the 11.12 bag was launched in 1983, and was re-created by Karl Lagerfeld based on the original model.
The most noticeable difference between the two bags is the strap and the clasp. The 2.55 uses a metal chain with classic flat links, while the 11.12 has a leather-wrapped strap, giving it a soft, modern look. The clasp of the 2.55 retains the rectangular "Mademoiselle" twist design, which is light and elegant. In contrast, the 11.12 uses CHANEL's signature "CC" logo clasp, creating a difference and being instantly recognizable.
Origin of the name CHANEL 11.12
Why is the bag called CHANEL 11.12? It has to do with the size of the bag. The standard size of this bag at the time of its launch was 26 cm and its product code was 01112. And so the name 11.12 was born, becoming a familiar symbol of the brand.
Brad Pitt once filmed an advertisement for the CHANEL 11.12 line.
The appeal of the CHANEL 11.12 flap bag is so strong that it not only captivates female celebrities but also makes Brad Pitt willing to shoot an advertisement for it! This surprise was first revealed at Paris Fashion Week Autumn Winter 2024, with a performance inspired by Deauville - the French coastal town where Gabrielle's fashion dreams began.
The ad, directed by photography duo Inez & Vinoodh, recreates some of the classic scenes from the 1966 French film, "Love". Penélope Cruz, CHANEL ambassador since 2018, and Brad Pitt, who has been the face of CHANEL N°5 fragrance, appear together in the ad, bringing a captivating charm to the 11.12 flap bag. Virginie Viard, former creative director of CHANEL, pays tribute to Claude Lelouch's classic masterpiece in this 2024 campaign, with emotional and nostalgic scenes shot in Deauville, recreating the boundless sea and romantic horizon.
Interestingly, the 11.12 bag advertisement was inspired by the movie "Love" because the female lead Anouk Aimée used a personal CHANEL bag during the filming to save costs. That CHANEL bag accidentally became an icon in the history of cinema, and now, that story continues to be told through the 11.12 flap bag, leaving an indelible mark on the audience.
Revealing the bag making process
Each CHANEL classic bag is the result of a meticulous process that includes 180 steps and requires 15 hours of continuous work. To achieve perfection, the craftsmen must have at least 4-5 years of experience to master all the techniques. To make the CHANEL 11.12 flap bag more durable and have more depth, a special "bag within a bag" method is applied: first, the craftsman creates the inner layer of leather, then combines it with the outer layers. The reverse sewing technique from the inside out - which is used in haute couture - is also applied. Coco Chanel once said, "The inside must reflect the outside," and chose to combine a dark red lining inside the leather bag to create a subtle contrast, making it easy to find the items inside. The bag is sewn with point de Bride stitches, connecting each section of leather into a unified and durable structure.
The CHANEL 11.12 design includes a total of seven compartments: a dedicated compartment for lipstick, another for cards and compacts, and a discreet zippered compartment for storing documents or notes. Two other large pockets provide more practical convenience. At the back of the bag is the final compartment, nicknamed the " smile pocket ", because its soft curve resembles a friendly smile.
Not only sought after by famous stars, CHANEL 11.12 also made an impressive appearance at the CHANEL Autumn Winter 2024 show with a bright pink colour palette, reminiscent of the romantic beauty of the coastal town of Deauville. With a history of more than 40 years, this bag carries within it the story of the past, present and future, like an invisible ribbon that tightly connects the heritage of the CHANEL brand through each seam, each strap interwoven with leather chains and ribbons.
Photo: CHANEL
