About the Chanel Camera Case
Inspired by reporters' and photographers' bags, Karl Lagerfeld, the creative director synonymous with the French fashion house, debuted the Chanel Camera Case in the 1980s. As with all of his designs, Lagerfeld captured the brand’s aesthetic with the case’s elegant, rounded lines and adventurous variations. The classic Chanel Camera Case includes several hallmark features like its intertwined leather-metal, link-chain single strap and diamond-shaped quilted leather.
Why the Chanel Camera Case Is so Popular
The Chanel Camera Case’s popularity is due, in large part, to its convenient size. While on the smaller side, it’s far more spacious than, for instance, the Chanel Classic Flap bag. Widely viewed as an everyday piece, the camera bag’s long strap gives the collector the option to wear it as a crossbody — practical and perfect for anyone on-the-go. Plus, Chanel frequently crafts these bags using caviar calfskin, an extremely sturdy leather, so brand devotees can worry less about causing wear and tear on this timeless accessory.
Space is a commodity in the world of luxury handbags, and the Chanel Camera Case has plenty of it. The Camera Case is perfect for daily wear as it’s just large enough to hold one’s essentials, like a thin wallet, phone, keys, lip balm, and, if you so choose, of course, a small camera.
The Chanel Camera Case is so popular that the brand features it in many collections, with each iteration varying uniquely from the next. For example, the Cruise 2021 show emphasized a vibrant, extravagantly embellished Camera Case in coral lambskin leather. A multi-color crystal CC emblem prominently graces the bag's exterior, adding to the piece’s already fresh approach to the time-tested style. On the other end of the design spectrum, Chanel released a white, lambskin model with gold and black details. The interlocking, shiny, gold-tone “CC” logo sits close to the top of the bag, placed strategically within the case’s large, diamond-shaped pattern.
Materials and Craftsmanship of the Chanel Camera Case
These rectangular-shaped bags include hallmark features like a single zipped closure, a leather tassel zipper pull, two interior pockets (one zipped and one flat) and one exterior flat pocket with the iconic CC hardware. The crossbody strap, interwoven with gold or silver-tone metal and leather, sometimes comes with a leather shoulder pad. Many of these bags incorporate Chanel's caviar calfskin, while the smooth lambskin is another favorite. Collectors can find more even more extraordinary options, including alligator, lizard and python. They also often come in the following colors: black, white, pink, blue, red and mustard. Additionally, the brand regularly reinvents the case by changing its pattern. Savvy shoppers can find vertical diamond designs, stitched tweed squares and even chevron.
The sizes of the Chanel Camera Case vary too. For example, the Chanel Reissue 2.55 Camera Case debuted in two sizes and styles: Chanel Small Reissue 2.55 Camera Case and the Chanel Reissue Camera Case. The small edition is 4.3" x 2.4" x 7.1," while the standard Reissue 2.55 is 6.3" x 3.1" x 10.2." The larger Camera Case features the chain strap strung through CC eyelets, whereas the small Camera Case’s Bijoux chain is attached to the sides.
The Chanel Camera Case’s Value and Collectibility
A pre-loved Chanel Camera Case is elusive and therefore at the top of a collector's to-find list. And as each new collection adds a little something special to the bags, their values inevitably increase—the more unique the Camera Case, the higher the price tag. In early 2021, pre-loved, black Chanel Camera Cases fetched on the resale market more than $2,000. However, those pre-owned Camera Cases featuring other materials like lizard or python sell, on average, around $1,600.