MAYS MODECOLLEGE
The Gabrielle
She had been around for a while, but last Thursday she was warmly welcomed at the Chanel boutique in the capital's P.C. Hooftstraat. There was champagne, there were cocktails, because it was a celebration. Reason? La Chanel nouveau est arrivée.
What?
The Gabrielle, the first real new model bag that Chanel brings to the market after the Bo bag. And that was in 2011, so we were ready for some fresh goods. The Gabrielle comes in various sizes. A beautiful little backpack made of the softest leather that you can also wear as a shoulder bag with a wonderfully long chain, and there is also the square model that comes in three sizes. In the middle size and the large bag, your laptop fits, which makes it irresistible for me. I always walk around with my ‘shoulder bag’ and another separate, slightly less attractive variant where I drag my laptop and office supplies. This Gabrielle has it all.
The fun thing about the bag is that you can wear it in 7 different ways. It has a wonderfully long chain that allows you to go in all directions. Furthermore, it is available in various variations. I personally find the beige-black combination in the typical mattelassé the most beautiful, but you can also find it in beautiful suede. Or you go for funky and choose that amazing metallic silver. Or gold. Speaking of statement pieces. The inside is lined in red, typically Coco, so you can always easily find your things.
Who designed it?
Karl Lagerfeld of course. And the great Gabrielle herself was of course the inspiration. It was a conscious choice to use her real name: Gabrielle. Exemplary of the decisiveness and authenticity of Mademoiselle Chanel. A woman who was contrary, dared to make her own choices, and arranged her life as she wanted. Or, as Chanel herself says: to choose, to desire and to be. And so it is. With this bag on your arm (or underneath or on your back because 7 ways to wear it, remember?) you conquer the world. Wherever you want to be.
Who wears the Gabrielle?
So far, mainly the models during the Data Center spring show of Chanel and a few die-hard fans who were almost camping with sleeping bags in front of the boutique. By the way, I think that's a particularly good idea; a Chanel sleeping bag, but that's beside the point.
In all honesty, I must admit that your editor-in-chief has had three slightly restless nights since Thursday and is seriously considering an investment in fashion.
What does it cost?
The small one goes for around €3000, the largest is yours for €3800. A considerable amount, but it is worth stable, right? An investment. And just think about where that bag will take you. World fame will be yours. And applause. And furthermore, you can dress like a vagabond. The bag picks everything up. Oh, I am so good at making excuses.
