Chanel: Cracking the Codes

Thanks to our Chanel-loving consigners, we get to see a broad variety of handbags from the undeniable titan of Parisian couture. From ultra current crossbodies to impeccable vintage shoulder bags, it’s remarkable how consistent the house is able to not only maintain their quality, but ensure consistent design across purses! Couture houses use elements of design called ‘codes’ to keep pieces looking on brand.

Red Lambskin Chanel Shoulder Bag

Black Lambskin Gabrielle Hobo From Chanel

Look at the two purses above: the red flap bag was crafted in the 1990’s, an exclusive design for the Paris storefront, while the black Gabrielle Hobo on the right was released just last year! With more than two decades in between them, they are both instantly recognizable as Chanel because they use two main house codes frequently used on bags: diamond quilted lambskin leather and leather + gold chain straps.

Velvet Slingbacks with CC logo

Tweed Chanel Suit Set

Leather Chanel Ballet Flats with Camellias

Other Chanel codes include: the interlocking CC logo, camellias (CoCo’s favorite flower), and tweed (particularly used in suiting)!

While these many of these codes date back to CoCo herself, her successor, Karl Lagerfeld, was the house creative direction who turned designing with codes into an art form. Keep scrolling for a more extensive list and when you browse our selection of Chanel cuties, keep an eye out for the codes!

• Camellias

• CC Interlocking Logo

• Black & White Color Palette

• Interwoven Leather and Gold Chain

• Matelasse (padding or quilting)

• The Number 9

• Pearls

• Tweed