PurseBop Chanel Collection: A Personal Journey

My PurseBop journey began with Chanel. Fueled by a deep passion for the Maison’s visionary designs and the distinctive personality of each bag, I’ve been collecting ever since. Surprisingly, I found myself straying away from Classic Flaps, instead, gravitating toward pieces that made their own CC statement.

Chanel carries the weight of youthful memories as I graduated from my first black-and-white Cambon hip sack to Karl Lagerfeld’s playful minaudières, each piece holding a story I still treasure. Only my earliest followers will remember the thrill of analyzing every shade of pink and the sheer joy I felt when I finally added Miss Cinderlego to the collection.

Few bags capture a moment in time like my Chanel Dice Mini Flap from the Spring-Summer 2012 collection, a playful souvenir from Las Vegas. That weekend was extraordinary – Mr. PurseBop and I had been invited to the grand reopening of the Chanel Bellagio Boutique, which unveiled five sparkling exclusives to mark the occasion. Among them, this Mini stood out instantly – a pale gold metallic lambskin beauty with a strap slightly longer than the traditional Mini Flap, making it effortless to wear crossbody. What really set it apart, though, were the playful dice and tiny CC charms strung along the chain, adding just the right touch of Vegas flair. At the time, it felt wildly indulgent, but the neutral but metallic color quickly became the perfect plus-one for nights out and special dinners. After years tucked away, it’s finally back in October‘s rotation. Every time I reach for it, I think of my very sweet SA, Ortansa, who has likely retired by now. It’s often the people behind the counter who make these memories truly special for you.

Jumping to the other end of the size spectrum, let me share my Jumbo Mink Maxi Fur Flap bag. Squishy, soft, and surprisingly lightweight for its size, it’s roomy enough to carry a hat and gloves while remaining effortless to wear crossbody. I often think back to buying it from another fabulous Chanel SA at Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills, and those memories spark every time I wear it on a winter trip. Most recently, it accompanied me to Paris in December of 2021; I still have photos of it sitting patiently at the Hermès desk while I waited for my SA to return. That same trip also brought another memorable acquisition: my Mauve Sylvestre Mini K20.

I can’t quite remember which came first, the Jumbo Mink or the Extra Mini Gold Swarovski Strass Flap bag – another gem from the 12P collection. Most keen readers would recognize this little treasure as my go-to for nearly every destination wedding I’ve attended – and that’s many. It continues to be my first choice for weddings and parties, with its extra-long strap for crossbody styling. It doesn’t hold much – just the essentials like a card, lipstick, and keys – yet over the last decade, it has brought me immense joy to carry.

Since we’re on the topic of Chanel strass, I can’t forget the article that I wrote over ten years ago, titled Spring Fling with Bling. I vividly remember waking up on a Sunday morning, barefoot, heading into the backyard, and photographing the sparkly Flap bag against my homegrown clematis flowers. I often wonder what my neighbors thought, seeing me in my pajamas and barefoot so frequently in the garden. Looking back, it’s clear this piece has more than earned its keep – especially if you measure it by the cost-per-wear formula.

Sticking to shimmer, my glittering Chanel Boy bag from the Spring-Summer 2014 collection came later in my Chanel journey, but still serves an important purpose. When I want a less formal yet impactful crossbody, it’s my go-to – my “olden days clubbing” bag, if you will. I’ve let go of most of my boy bags, but this is one of the two that I will keep forever. It’s no secret that I love a little bling. The other Boy bag, from the Cruise 2013 Versailles collection, is more of an artistic treasure than a practical piece. It remains a true closet ornament, still bearing its original stickers, and aside from photographs, it has yet to embark on its maiden voyage.

Turning to Chanel’s truly iconic minaudières, a few pieces in particular hold stories that remain unforgettable. Let’s start with my Lego clutch from the Fall 2013 Chanel Supermarket Collection, which I lovingly call Miss Cinderlego.

Several years after carrying her carefully, I accidentally dropped and shattered the plexiglass. I was truly devastated and took her to the Chanel Boutique in Chicago, along with a letter explaining just how special she was, and that she had accompanied me to the Karl Lagerfeld Metiers d’Art show in Dallas, Texas. Around that time, I had a once-in-a-lifetime chance to meet Mr. Lagerfeld himself at a Neiman Marcus event where he received a special award. Coincidentally, I wasn’t the only one in tears over a Chanel Lego minaudières: around that same period, Kim Kardashian famously cried when Karl gave the bag to her mother, Kris Jenner.

Miraculously, Chanel replaced my bag eight months later, without a word. I’d like to think my heartfelt letter, along with photos of Miss Cinderlego, conveyed just how special she was.

Then there’s the Chanel Perfume Bottle minaudière, first introduced in the Cruise 2014 collection and reimagined in several iterations since. What can I say? I have two distinct memories that made me covet this piece even more. The first was spotting Rihanna carrying it in a celebrity magazine, well before it was officially launched. The second was an uncanny New York Times article by the late, great Cunningham Photographer, which confirmed my absolute need to add this piece to my collection.

Most people I know who own the Perfume Bottle minaudière rarely use it, but mine shows the signs of a well-travelled life because I took it everywhere. Whether that was wedding receptions, gala affairs, or even with a pair of blue jeans and a t-shirt on a casual Saturday night. Of all my Chanel minaudières, this might actually be the most worn, thanks to its versatile and casual nature. I do need to find a way to have the plate polished to remove some of the wear – but hey, it’s battle-scarred Chanel, any suggestions?

Now, the most recent addition to my collection of special minaudières is called Over the Moon, from Chanel’s Fall-Winter 2017 collection. I first spotted it in Paris, but wasn’t able to purchase the color variation I wanted, so ultimately I secured it here in Chicago. It’s my least-worn piece, mostly because it’s quite cumbersome, though it undeniably makes a striking statement whenever I do carry it.

When it comes to Chanel, there are two minaudières that got away. It’s not to say I couldn’t purchase them later, and perhaps someday I will, but I often wish I had snagged the Rocket from the Fall 2017 collection when I spotted it at the Bond Street location during my travels. If memory serves, I had just made a major Hermès purchase at the time, which had completely depleted the bag fund. The other minaudières that always catch my eye is the Ski Gondola from Fall 2019, part of the cozy après-ski spirit of Karl Lagerfeld’s final Ready-to-Wear collection. Its shape might not be the most practical for frequent wear, but its whimsical design makes it a true collector’s piece. Looking even further back, before my time, there were the Matryoshka Dolls from Chanel’s 2012 Paris-Bombay collection, which would be a genuine heritage treasure to own.

Image courtesy: @asafetypin

Image courtesy: @salamakhalfan

Finally, the last two that I’m going to include in this deep dive are the only two truly vintage bags that I own. Both were acquired by Mr PurseBop at a Children’s Hospital fundraiser auction, where the CEO had generously donated two of her personal pieces. Little did Mr PB know that the Triple Lock Chanel clutch would turn out to be not just a collectible, but a literal asset. The other piece, a satin Box Mini Flap with the glistening 24K gold-plated chain strap, still had its original Neiman Marcus tags intact. I’ve used this one many times, and with each wear, my appreciation for it has only grown.

And there you have it – a glimpse into what first ignited PurseBop. In recent years, so much of my attention has been dedicated to the second chapter of my bag life: Hermès. Yet Chanel has always been the heart of PurseBop. The CCs are where it all began, and now they will forever hold a special place in my heart and collection.

On theme, it’s a Chanel-filled weekend ahead. My vintage satin Box Mini Flap will be accompanying me to a very special Chanel night on Saturday, and on Sunday, I’ll be heading to New York City for another extraordinary event. I can’t wait to share every moment with you – stay close for live updates, exclusive content, and let’s enjoy this next adventure together.

Love your PB

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