Chanel’s quilted handbag introduced by Gabrielle Chanel in February 1955 is the Chanel 2.55.
The name refers to its launch date: February 1955, written numerically as 2.55. Gabrielle Chanel designed the bag with a quilted body, a chain strap, and a burgundy interior. Its rectangular shape and practical shoulder strap reflected Chanel’s interest in combining elegance with mobility.
The 2.55 is often confused with Chanel’s Classic Flap bag. The Classic Flap is a later reinterpretation associated with Karl Lagerfeld, while the original 2.55 traditionally uses Chanel’s Mademoiselle turn-lock and a chain inspired by the straps used by caretakers at the Aubazine abbey, where Chanel spent part of her childhood.
The bag’s two interior compartments also have frequently repeated symbolic associations, including links to Chanel’s personal history. However, the most firmly established identifying facts are its February 1955 launch, quilted construction, chain strap, and connection to Gabrielle Chanel.