What is the name of the iconic Chanel handbag introduced in February 1955?

The iconic Chanel handbag introduced in February 1955 is the Chanel 2.55.

Its name records its launch date: February 1955. Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel designed the bag with a quilted body, a burgundy-lined interior, and a chain strap that allowed it to be carried over the shoulder. The hands-free design was notable because many women’s handbags of the period were intended to be held by hand.

The bag’s details are often given symbolic interpretations. Its burgundy lining is associated with the uniforms at the convent orphanage where Chanel grew up, while the chain is commonly linked to the chains used by caretakers there. The back pocket was designed for small items such as money, and the interior compartments reflected Chanel’s practical approach to design.

A frequent source of confusion is the relationship between the 2.55 and the Classic Flap. The 2.55 refers to the original design, while the Classic Flap is a later Karl Lagerfeld-era reinterpretation that added the interlocking CC clasp. Hermès’s Kelly and Birkin, and Louis Vuitton’s Speedy, are separate handbag models.