Purse

Karl Lagerfeld|House of Chanel

spring/summer 2004 · leather, metal, plastic (vinyl) · Costume Institute

This imaginative handbag accessorized several looks from Chanel’s spring/summer 2004 prêt-a-porter collection. Composed from two circular pieces of decoratively stitched patent leather, the bag playfully conjures a vinyl LP record. Despite the atypical shape of the accessory, the various design details conspicuously signify the traditional quality and spirit of the prominent luxury house. While the woven strap of leather and metal chain is characteristic of Chanel handbags—particularly the strap of the popular 2.55 handbag introduced by founder Gabrielle Chanel— in a witty subversion of the typical placement of the recording artist and album title the center of the disc prominently features a red leather appliqué labeled: "CHANEL" and "Rue Cambon, Paris."

Artist

Karl Lagerfeld|House of Chanel

Date

spring/summer 2004

Medium

leather, metal, plastic (vinyl)

Culture

French

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Alfred Z. Solomon-Janet A. Sloane Endowment Fund, 2019