Introduced in February 1955 (“2.55” takes its name from the month and year when Coco Chanel has launched it), the 2.55 was designed by Coco Chanel to accommodate her personal champagne sipping needs.

When it was first brought out the Chanel 2.55 caused a stir amongst the upmarket fashion lovers because it was one of the first to have a strap. Coco recognized that women on the go needed to have their hands free to hold glasses of champagne, eat canapes, read theater programs etc so the chain strap was added to make the bag easy to carry on the shoulder.

The features of Chanel Leather Classic 2.55 Coco Bag have all a piece of tale to tell. From the inside out:

• The lining - The lining’s brown color represents the color of the uniforms from the convent where she grew up.

• The inside compartment - there’s a zippered compartment at the inside of the front flap. That’s where Coco Chanel hid her love letters (from her lover at the time).

• The backside - there’s a back outside flap on the handbag – that’s where Ms Chanel stashed extra money.

• The shoulder strap – as Coco Chanel grew up in an convent, at the orphanage. The caretakers hold the keys at their waist dangling from the same type of chains as the 2.55 shoulder strap chains.

• The front lock – the 2.55 front lock is different from the classic double CC logo. It’s logo is called “the Mademoiselle Lock” (because Ms Chanel was never married).

Karl Lagerfeld who took over Chanel in 1983 reissued the 2.55 in February 2005. His version is the exactly the one designed by Coco Chanel back in 1955.

The Reissue was made in commemoration to the 50th anniversary of the original 2.55 and the name “Reissue 2.55” should apply only to those commemorative handbags.

Source: Stylefrizz, Fashion, Femalefirst, Bagsnob