Karl Lagerfeld’s Drawing of the Chanel 2.55 Handbag
To highlight the superior craftsmanship of the Chanel handbag, the design house recently hosting “The Secrets of the Chanel Handbag,” in their San Francisco boutique.
The special exhibition took patrons through the construction of the iconic handbag and its progression over time.
Guests of the 156 Geary Street boutique were welcome to interact with a visual presentation that featured handbags from the Parisian archives, as well as peruse the latest collection of Classic Chanel handbags.
Coco Chanel with Her Handbag in 1957. Photo: Mike de Dulmen
Today, we take a look at this classic bag (termed the 2.55 handbag because it debuted in February 1955), and look forward to seeing you at the exhibit!
The bag is legendary for its top-stitched diamond-shaped quilting. Chanel’s inspiration for the quilted look were the jackets worn by stable lads at the racecourse she visited during her youth.
The rectangular “Mademoiselle lock” closure stood out in 1955 for its clean, pure styling. A few years later, another clasp stamped with a double C also made its appearance.
The interior features a burgundy-coloured lining, which Chanel is said to have chosen in memory of the colour of her orphan’s uniform during her time at the Aubazine Abbey.
The bag includes no fewer than seven pockets. The rounded rear pocket, nicknamed the “Mona Lisa smile”, can only be produced by the most skilful and experienced workers. The interior gusseted pockets are used to hold business cards or notebooks. The zipped pocket, otherwise known as “the secret pocket”, situated inside the flap is reserved for money and, according to Chanel, “love notes.” We should also not forget the clever little pocket in the middle, designed to hold a lipstick tube.
Rihanna with her Chanel Handbag
Now 55 years after its original creation, the handbag is still a must-have fashion item, and thanks to the endless inventiveness of Karl Lagerfeld, it’s available in a stunning variety of colors and materials, such as a recent version in ivory tweed and lambskin.
Chanel Fall 2010
Tags: Coco Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld
One Comment »

Michael S. Smith was recently honored at Hedge Gallery in San Francisco at a party hosted by Alison Pincus, Vanessa Getty and Allison Speer. His design work for a Palladian Villa in Malibu is being put up for auction at Christie’s in New York. Nicolas Berggruen, Princess Tatiana Galitzine, Dede Wilsey, and Sabrina Buell were among the guests.

Deepa Pakianathan and Phil Pemberton recently hosted a reception for the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in anticipation of its upcoming Gala on April 20, 2013, which pays tribute to legendary opera baritone and Conservatory Advisory Board member Thomas Hampson.
Conservatory mezzo-soprano Catherine Cook directs and stars in a program featuring special performances by Hampson with Conservatory students, faculty and guest artists. Teresa Medearis and Barbara Walkowski co-chair the event, with catering by McCall’s Catering and Events and decor by Blueprint Studios.
Tickets for this very special occasion can be purchased at www.sfcm.edu

UCSF Partners in Care recently held its 2013 kick-off membership event at Reed & Greenough. Membership co-Chairs Schuyler Hudak and Libby Leffler hosted the launch party and kicked off the well-attended evening with brief remarks, followed by UCSF Partners in Care President Katie Budge, who spoke about the services that the auxiliary organization provides to the hospital.
UCSF Partners in Care works with UCSF hospital staff to fund programs that provide comfort and well-being to patients and their families while visiting the UCSF medical center.
Guests enjoyed spirited greyhounds nicknamed “Doctor’s Orders,” and a “Members Only” wine special while noshing on sweet treats from Kara’s Cupakes, and savory sliders and arancini from Cedar Hill Kitchen and Smokehouse.
Please visit www.ucsfpartnersincare.org for more information about this important organization.

Renowned European designer Ms. Madeline Pauw recently made an appearance at a delightful luncheon at Saks Fifth Avenue in San Francisco, where her Spring 2013 collection was presented.
The Pauw collection is designed by Madeleine Pauw, daughter of the original founders. Pauw is known for its luxurious fabrics and soft touches of femininity while integrating just a splash of masculine undertones, but always keeping the fit and style in mind for the female physique. The company has been in business for over 50 years, and originally was created in the Netherlands where it currently has 29 stores.
You can purchase pieces from Pauw at Saks Fifth Avenue at 384 Post Street, San Francisco, or online at Saks Fifth Avenue

Neiman Marcus and Vanity Fair, with writer Amy Fine Collins, recently hosted a luncheon in celebration of Vanity Fair’s 2013 International Best Dressed List. Guests included some of the West Coast’s best dressed women, such as Vanessa Getty, Pamela Joyner, and Sobia Shaikh. It also provided an opportunity to meet Alan Morell, the new general manager for Neiman Marcus’s Union Square store, following the move of our beloved John Capizzi to Bergdorf Goodman in New York.

HBO recently presented the premiere of Game of Thrones Season 3 with a VIP screening at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, attended by cast and creators, and VIP guests.
After the screening there was an on-stage discussion with Executive Producers D.B. Weiss, David Benioff and Co-Executive Producer George R.R. Martin, moderated by Kara Swisher and Walt Mossberg, Co-Executive Editor’s at All Things D.

The Mid Winter Gala for 2013 honored the exhibit, “Girl with a Pearl Earring: Dutch Paintings from the Mauritshuis” with a chic winter wonderland that raised over $400k. Marissa Mayer, Jonathan Ive, Alison Pincus, Vanessa Getty, Dick Costolo, Stephan Jenkins, Connie Nielsen, Lori Levine, Evgenia Peretz, Jeremy Stoppelman, Trevor Traina, Allison Speer and Kathryn Lasater were among the 380 who attended.

The Italian artist, Paolo Troilo, recently debuted his first U.S. exhibit at Coup d’Etat, the most exceptional designer space in San Francisco.
Sponsored by Testa Vineyards, the event brought together San Francisco tastemakers such as Jack Calhoun, Stephen Brady, Gary Friedman, Joy Bianchi, Anna Weinberg, Ken Fulk, and Jamie Finegold, among others.
The exhibit will run at Coup d’Etat until May 2013.
Visit Coup d’Etat at 111 Rhode Island, or online at coupdetatsf.com

Larkin Street Youth Services’ eleventh annual fund-raising gala benefit, Paving the Way, hosted over nearly 400 community leaders and philanthropists at the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco on March 8, 2013. Hosted by special guests, Mark Buell, Chair of the America’s Cup Organizing Committee and Jimmy Spithill, Skipper and Helmsman for ORACLE Team USA, the benefit event raised over $725,000 in support of Larkin Street’s programs for homeless, runaway and at-risk youth in San Francisco. Over eighty percent of all funds raised by Larkin Street go directly to supporting the organization’s programs.
















earning a full time income online.however, with…
the new rules in place, it is becoming increasingly difficult to get results with blog post writing. in fact, many people have just given up and started researching new opportunities. but here’s the truth. there couldn’t be a better time for…