Chanel Vintage 1986–1988 Quilted Lambskin Tassel Camera Bag — Black

The Archive

This late-1980s Chanel captures several signatures that defined Karl Lagerfeld’s early transformation of the house: oversized diamond quilting, a bold interlocking CC worked directly into the leather, leather-interwoven chain and an exaggerated tassel. Rather than the structured flap silhouette most associated with vintage Chanel, this piece has a compact, softly rounded camera-bag shape that feels distinctly of its era.

The tassel is particularly beautiful on this example, finished with a substantial gold-tone collar and long leather fringe. Paired with the elongated chain, it gives an otherwise petite black lambskin bag a strong jewelry-like presence. At under eight inches across, the proportions also feel remarkably current for a piece dating to 1986–1988.

Collectors  Notes 

Designer: Chanel
Style: Quilted Lambskin Tassel Camera Bag
Era/Year: 1986–1988
Color: Black
Material: Quilted Lambskin Leather
Hardware: 24K Gold Plated 
Closure: Top Zip Closure
Height: 4.25"
Length: 7.75"
Depth: 2.5"
Strap Drop: 16.25"
Authentication: Entrupy Verified

Condition Report

Good vintage condition with visible age-related wear consistent with a nearly 40-year-old lambskin piece. The leather remains supple with natural creasing, softening and areas of surface rubbing and finish variation. The quilting has relaxed and flattened somewhat with age, particularly along the body and rounded side panels. Piping and edges show rubbing and light finish loss.

The leather woven through the chain shows creasing and wear. Gold-tone hardware remains bright overall with scratches and age-related surface variation. The leather tassel remains full and intact with natural curling, rubbing and wear to the individual fringe strands.

Curator’s Perspective

This is the kind of vintage Chanel that has become increasingly interesting as collectors move beyond the Classic Flap. The enormous stitched CC, long tassel and softly structured camera silhouette immediately identify it as an earlier Lagerfeld-era design, while the black-and-gold combination keeps it unmistakably Chanel. It has enough archival personality to feel special without becoming difficult to wear.