Chanel 2.55 East West Metallic Quilted Flap Bag

The Archive

This is a fantastic late-Karl-era Chanel and a much less common interpretation of the East West silhouette. From the 2008–2009 collection, the elongated flap is crafted in distressed metallic quilted leather with a remarkably delicate gold bijoux-style chain and rectangular Mademoiselle turn-lock.

I found an exceptionally close documented example with the exact same 10.25" × 4.25" proportions and approximately 16" strap drop, dated 2008–2009 and described as a Chanel 2.55 East West Clutch on Chain.

The Details

Designer: Chanel
Style: 2.55 East West Flap / Clutch on Chain
Year: 2008–2009
Era: Karl Lagerfeld
Color: Black / Charcoal Metallic
Material: Quilted leather
Hardware: 24K gold-plated
Closure: Rectangular Mademoiselle turn-lock
Strap: Fine gold-tone chain
Interior Detail: Integrated mirror
Height: 4.25"
Length: 10.25"
Depth: 2.2"
Strap Drop: 15.75"
Authentication: Entrupy Verified

Condition Report

Good vintage condition 7.8/10 visible wear consistent with age and use. The metallic quilted leather shows creasing, surface wear, finish variation and areas of fading/rubbing, particularly across the front, flap, edges and corners. The quilting remains clearly defined and the bag retains its elongated structure.

Gold hardware shows scratches and surface wear. The interior mirror has been repaired and shows visible scratching/wear, Mirror has been re-attached This repair should absolutely be disclosed in the listing.

Interestingly, the close 2008–09 comp I found also specifically notes scratching to the interior mirror, leather creasing and hardware wear, so these appear to be recurring condition issues with this model.

Curator’s Perspective

This is the Chanel for the collector who already owns the obvious Chanel.

The metallic finish, razor-thin East West proportions, Mademoiselle lock and incredibly fine gold chain give it an almost jewelry-meets-handbag quality. And unlike the ubiquitous Classic Flap, this is very clearly tied to a particular moment in Chanel's late-2000s design history.

That long 10.25-inch silhouette with a nearly 16-inch drop also happens to feel incredibly relevant again right now.