Chanel Wallets

Behind the Brand

Chanel started as the project of Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel, a young inventive French girl who sought to replace the corset with themes of casual luxury and comfort. Gabrielle was born in Saumer in the year 1883, though she reported her birth information as Auvergne, 1893. During her short and relatively unproductive three-year stint as a café and concert singer (1905-1908), Gabrielle took on the name “Coco”. Two wealthy male benefactors provided Coco with the financial resources to open her first Paris millinery store in 1910. Her hat styles soon became popular amongst higher social circles, leading Coco to expand her talents to the fields of couture and beauty.

Coco’s boyish and boxy styles, notably the signature 1925 cardigan jacked and the 1926 little black dress, are hallmarks for the brand. In fact, most of these styles have exhibited immense staying power, remaining virtually unchanged over the decades.

Coco Chanel died in 1971, handing her fashion empire over into the capable hands of design-prodigy Karl Lagerfield. To this day, Lagerfield continues as the chief designer for Chanel.

The Essence of Chanel Wallets

Although the 20th century proved a playground for emerging high-end designers, Chanel has remained an icon for grace and status. Chanel’s fresh and muted designs are less severe than Prada and more discreet than Dior, making Chanel wallets perfect for the sophisticated and affluent consumer -- and affluent one must be in order to indulge in Chanel luxury. These wallets range from the mid to high hundreds depending on the intricacies of their design and crafting materials.

Defining Factors

Several characteristics distinguish Chanel wallets from other fashion competitors:

• Superior Materials
• Quilted Design
• Signature Logo

Superior Materials

Lower-end designers find it difficult to out-do the superior craftsmanship of Chanel wallets. Consumers purchase Chanel because they expect the very best. Therefore, it is no surprise that Chanel merchandise is manufactured using top of the line calfskins, metallic python, luminous silks, shimmering satins, and the softest goatskin on the market.

Quilted Design

Many Chanel wallets are fashioned using the signature quilted design that is also a popular feature of the Chanel Handbags and pressed powders. This pattern is reminiscent of Coco Chanel’s first quilted shoulder-strapped handbag that debuted in 1955 and immediately soared in popularity, taking the fashion world by storm. As a result, the signature quilted look has emerged throughout the Chanel lines in items such as accessories, clothing, and even beauty products.

Signature Logo

Although the Chanel signature logo was not present during the early 1900’s when Coco pioneered her talents in Western Europe, today’s Chanel merchandise is tradmarked by this powerful icon. The Chanel logo consists of two inverted “C”s that represent the initials of venerable fashion elite, Coco Chanel.

Holiday Trends

Chanel holiday trends display a glittering array of metallic and gemstone-themed accessories. Featured Chanel wallets consist of a glowing gold goatskin medium-sized flap-wallet and two quilted black-and-white goatskin versions with contrast calfskin piping. These wallets play-up this season’s coordinated footwear fashions and handbag accessories. Along with the full Chanel line, Christmas pieces can be viewed by visiting the official Chanel website.

Consumer Considerations

Chanel represents the very elite of the fashion world. Therefore it is no surprise that there are many imitation Chanel products on the market. Customers should be wary when purchasing Chanel wallets from disreputable street vendors or from Internet companies.

Genuine Chanel merchandise is always accompanied by an authenticity card, care booklet, and dust bag. These wallets are also packaged in official black Chanel gift boxes with the company name featured in white atop the box.

Written by Ann Parkinson.