About Chanel and Rue Cambon
Rue Cambon is a legendary fashion address. In 1910, Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel opened the first Chanel boutique at 31 rue Cambon in Paris's cultural heart, only steps away from the Louvre, Place Vendôme, the Ritz hotel and rue Faubourg Saint-Honoré. By 1935, she had bought the entire building.
Gabrielle herself designed her building to better suit the needs of her growing luxury goods empire: the boutique on the ground floor, a large reception room on the first floor to hold fittings and present collections, iconic Art Deco mirrored stairs to Gabrielle’s second-floor apartment, design studios on the third floor and the haute couture ateliers on the upper floors. It was at this address, 31 rue Cambon, that Gabrielle conceptualized the modern boutique. By displaying accessories, jewelry, garments, hats and Chanel’s first perfume–N°5–she gave shoppers a thrilling new experience.
Rue Cambon remains the epicenter of the Chanel world—some of the French fashion house’s handbags inspired by its flagship store include the Cambon Ligne and the Essential 31 Rue Cambon Tote.
The Iconic Chanel Cambon Ligne
An accessory from the Karl Lagerfeld era, the Chanel Cambon Ligne is a series of handbags that debuted in 2004 and discontinued in 2012. The Cambon Ligne’s signature characteristics include iconic diamond-quilted pattern, soft calfskin leather, a large embossed offset Timeless CC logo, sturdy knotted leather handles and logo jacquard fabric lining the interior.
Chanel Cambon Ligne Styles
The Cambon Ligne comes in various styles, including the Cambon Tote, Cambon Bowler bag, Cambon Clutch Pochette, Cambon Reporter bag and Cambon Wallet on Chain (WOC). While determined collectors can find these styles on the resale market, it’s important to note that many sellers drop the French Ligne in their listings. The Cambon collection comes in a variety of color combinations, including:
- Beige/Beige
- Beige/Black
- Beige/Snakeskin
- Black/Black
- Pink/Black
- White/Black
- White/Snakeskin
Chanel Cambon Ligne Tote
The Cambon Tote prominently displays a large embossed offset CC logo on the bag's exterior. A smooth contrasting triangle detail decorates the opposite corner. The sturdy straps of the Cambon tote are rope-like and knotted at each base. A zip-top opens to reveal a spacious interior, with slip pockets and a zip pocket to keep accessories organized. The large tote is big enough to hold a laptop and your daily essentials in a stylish way. The Cambon tote comes in mini, medium and large sizes.
In early 2021, a pre-loved Cambon large tote could fetch, on average, between $500 and $1,800.
Chanel Cambon Reporter Bag
Inspired by utility bags, the Cambon Reporter is a spacious shoulder bag featuring the classic Cambon characteristics: an embossed CC logo, quilted leather and knotted straps. In 2007, Chanel released a special edition of the Cambon Reporter called the Cotton Club, made with aged calfskin and interlaced leather/chain straps.
Pre-owned Chanel Cambon Reporter bags sold for between $900 and $1,600 on eBay in 2021. These bags are fairly hard to find on the resale market and priced accordingly.
Chanel Cambon Bowler Bag
The Bowler-style quilted Cambon bag has a rectangular silhouette, the characteristic CC logo and silver-tone hardware that includes a "CHANEL" zipper pull. The spacious interior is lined with CC jacquard textile and includes a zipper pocket, cell phone pocket and two pen holders. Four rivets protect the bottom of the bag. The Chanel Cambon Bowler comes in one size.
Pre-loved Chanel Cambon Bowler bags sold for between $400 and $1,200 in the first part of 2021.
Chanel Cambon Wallet on Chain (WOC)
The Chanel Cambon WOC features the distinctive embossed CC logo on the front on quilted leather. The versatile interlaced leather and chain strap can be worn as a crossbody, on the shoulder, doubled up to wear with a shorter drop or tucked in to carry as a clutch. The interior offers card storage, a zip compartment for change and room for a phone or cash.
The Chanel Cambon WOC is one of the most popular and sought-after bags from the Cambon collection, routinely selling above retail price. If this is the perfect next pick for your designer handbag collection, prepare to practice patience-–this little beauty can be hard to find on the resale market.
The Essential 31 Rue Cambon Tote
Modeled after the actual Chanel shopping bags available at the flagship rue Cambon boutique, the Essential 31 Rue Cambon tote is an extremely rare find. The tote comes in two sizes, large (horizontal) and small (vertical). Each is crafted from matte calfskin, available in black or white, embroidered with contrasting Chanel logo and prominently displays Chanel’s address, 31 rue Cambon.