A Brief History
Coco Chanel founded luxury fashion house Chanel in Paris in 1910. Located at 160 Boulevard Malesherbes, the boutique quickly gained a reputation among the European elite for its high-quality, elegant and simple millinery designs. By the 1930s, Chanel was world-famous with Coco creating one-of-a-kind pieces for Hollywood’s most glamorous stars Today, the brand is recognized as a global powerhouse spanning haute couture, ready-to-wear, accessories, beauty and fragrance.
Serial Numbers
Since the mid 1980s, Chanel has used unique serial numbers printed on tags and stickers — and accompanying authenticity cards — to help identify your bag’s year of manufacture. As of 2021, the brand has begun using metal plates and microchips.
1986–2005: codes contain 7 digits
2005–2021: codes contain 8 digits
2021–present: Chanel’s new metal plate - codes contain 8 symbols and begin with a letter. There is currently no connection between the bag's year of manufacture and the code.
Use the chart below to help you decipher your Chanel handbag’s date of manufacture.
Materials
Stitching
Chanel’s dedication to superior craftsmanship is reflected in its use of high-quality leathers — from smooth lambskins to forgiving caviar leathers — and meticulous stitching.
The quilting pattern and stitching on authentic Chanel bags are always even and symmetrical on both sides of the bag — if there’s a stitch on one side of the bag, it will appear on the opposite side, tool. There should be at least ten stitches per inch of material — anything less indicates an immediate fake. Chanel quilting is always of medium thickness.
Chanel’s “Mademoiselle” turn lock features interlocking Cs — the right should always be on top of the left. The back of the turn lock will have “Chanel” engraved on its left, “Paris” engraved on its right. Because Chanel handbags are always made in France or Italy, hardware can differ slightly depending on country of origin. Lastly, hardware on Chanel handbags is always attached with flat head screws.