There can be few brands that conjure up images of sophistication and high fashion more than Chanel. The iconic French designer label has been at the forefront of haute couture for over 50 years now, and one of its most endearingly famous designs is the Chanel classic quilted handbag. I'm not sure whether its the soft hand stitched leather, or the famous gold chain and double C logo that makes it so special, but there can be no doubt that it is still , even after 50 years, one of the most sought after style icons in the world of fashion.

This design classic was first produced in February 1955, we can be so sure of this because its known as the 2.55 bag in the industry because of the month and year it was first made. Each bag was hand made by the best skilled craftsmen of the day, and Coco Chanel famously turned business away rather than compromise on the quality - a decision that actually led to more of these bags being sold than she could ever have imagined.

Even today, 50 years on, the quilted fabric that the bag is made from is manufactured under strict secrecy. This instantly recognisable fabric is also used across the companies entire range of products. It has become synonymous with high quality goods and it gives the Chanel classic quilted handbag its distinctive look and feel.

They say that true quality stands the test of time, and this is certainly true of the Chanel classic quilted handbag. Despite changing fashions, it has basically remained unchanged for over 5 decades. Unlike other fashion design houses who have altered their bag styles to appeal to the contemporary demands of fashion trends, the Classic Chanel quilted handbag has remained true to its origins. This was further reinforced when, in 2005, Chanel re-released it as a special Anniversary edition in exactly the same format as it was originally produced all those years ago, and it was an instant success.