Chanel Diamond Forever Classic Bag

Megs · Aug 6th, 2007, 07:05 PM

Image via Forbes

Big news in the handbag world. Chanel has announced the newest limited edition and highly coveted handbag. With only 13 available worldwide, this handbag sits upon the accessory throne as one of the most expensive luxury handbags in the world. The Chanel Diamond Forever Classic Bag will debut in December adorned with 3.56 carats made up of 334 diamonds, 18 carat white gold hardware, and white alligator skin. Five of these ostentatious handbags will be available in the states. The price tag on this number is a staggering $261,000. Yes the price is sky high, but these bags are masterpieces, works of art. With only 13 being made, owning one would be similar to an art collector owning a Picasso.

Let's discuss: Is this bag worth the price? If you owned it would you carry it or think of it as a piece of art? Who do you think will be one of the lucky 13?

Following up with her first article on the World's Most Extravagant Handbags, Hitha Prabhakar at Forbes interviewed me again for this article. Article and exclusive pictures below!

It's never too early to start thinking about your holiday wish list.

Sure to top it this year? Chanel's "Diamond Forever" tote (pictured left). In December, the company will debut 13 of these diamond and alligator handbags just in time for the holiday shopping crunch. Each is a stepped-up version of the classic Chanel shoulder bag, with the iconic Chanel "Cs" encrusted in a staggering 334 diamonds (a total of 3.56 carats) set in 18-carat white gold. The alligator skin is farmed and treated with a matte finish.

The total cost: $260,150.

While few may actually end up owning this bag, the demand for other high-end handbags has skyrocketed. Online retailer eLUXURY.com saw sales of luxury handbags (those over $500) increase 11% last year.

"People want to spend their money on frivolous things," says Pamela Danziger, author of Why People Buy Things They Don't Need and founder of luxury goods research company Unity Marketing. "[And] handbags definitely fall into that category."

Scarcity is also driving desire for these totes. Something that is hard to obtain or impossible to find will be more valuable, says Meaghan Mahoney, editor of the daily news and handbag review online site purseblog.com.

"A handbag [such as] the Chanel Diamond Forever bag is more of a collector's item than something you use on a daily basis," she says. "Like an exquisite car or a rare painting, it's the limited availability and high demand that make this handbag more valuable."

Read the rest at Forbes

A bigger sized picture of this gem attached below!

margaritaxmix · Aug 6th, 2007, 07:16 PM

Is this not the most BEAUTIFULLY STUNNING BAG you have EVER seen?

I am DROOLING as I type this...so gorgeous!

The price is really high, but I can understand why it would be!

And Megs: congrats on the interview!

SonyaPhi · Aug 6th, 2007, 07:27 PM

digby723 · Aug 6th, 2007, 07:47 PM

Congrats on the interview!

Sadly though, I don't think the bag looks that good for a quarter of a million dollars. I guess you're paying for the name and the diamonds of course!

Label Addict · Aug 6th, 2007, 07:47 PM

that is absolutely stunning I LOVE IT!

kirsten · Aug 6th, 2007, 08:09 PM

Chanel + diamonds =

finzup · Aug 6th, 2007, 08:13 PM

I think that even if I had $260k to spend on a handbag, I wouldn't really want this one. But to each their own. If you love it and have the $$ go for it :)
I agree it is a work of art .. but not all art is for everyone.

Leelee · Aug 6th, 2007, 08:16 PM

It is sooooo pretty! It's the kind of bag I imagine Princess Diana would carry. I can't think of anyone else off the top of my head who is beautiful or worthy enough of such elegance.

alatrop · Aug 6th, 2007, 09:07 PM

I can understand if designers created pieces like this for museums and the like, but for someone to actually own one and possibly use it? Stupid!

chicbabacool · Aug 6th, 2007, 09:32 PM

Fit for a princess!

ValleyO · Aug 6th, 2007, 10:08 PM

The alligator is gorgeous but the diamonds are a tad over the top IMO.

thanni · Aug 6th, 2007, 10:24 PM

Thanks for sharing, very good article indeed. I think the bag is absolutely stunning, but... really... with that kind of price tag...no matter how much I love handbags,there are limits to how much I am willing to fork out for a single handbag.

theglamorous · Aug 6th, 2007, 10:33 PM

I like it, But dont love it.

gacats · Aug 6th, 2007, 11:14 PM

Wow, what a bag!
Do you think Katie Holmes will get one if she gives Tom another child? That's my guess.

lilja · Aug 6th, 2007, 11:57 PM

I like it, but not so much for that amount of money. Frankly, there are other bags that I love much more that cost much less...

Aug 6th, 2007, 07:16 PM	#2
margaritaxmix Coach & LV Addict <3 Location: Maryland	Re: Chanel Diamond Forever Classic Bag Is this not the most BEAUTIFULLY STUNNING BAG you have EVER seen? I am DROOLING as I type this...so gorgeous! The price is really high, but I can understand why it would be! And Megs: congrats on the interview! __________________ - too busy with school, so purse forum hiatus until ?? -

Aug 6th, 2007, 07:27 PM	#3
SonyaPhi Member Location: Texas	Re: Chanel Diamond Forever Classic Bag __________________ "May your troubles be less, your blessings be more, and nothing but happiness come through your door. " Sonya

Aug 6th, 2007, 07:47 PM	#4
digby723 Member Location: Northern Virginia	Re: Chanel Diamond Forever Classic Bag Congrats on the interview! Sadly though, I don't think the bag looks that good for a quarter of a million dollars. I guess you're paying for the name and the diamonds of course! __________________

Aug 6th, 2007, 07:47 PM	#5
Label Addict Somebody stop me!! Location: Blissful Denial	Re: Chanel Diamond Forever Classic Bag that is absolutely stunning I LOVE IT! __________________ The Summary Comments & Pics My Blog: I'll Take Both! My Bags (new family pic pg 22)

Aug 6th, 2007, 08:09 PM	#6
kirsten wants more bbags! Location: OC, California	Re: Chanel Diamond Forever Classic Bag Chanel + diamonds =

Aug 6th, 2007, 08:13 PM	#7
finzup Addicted Belenista! Location: The BE RAOK Island	Re: Chanel Diamond Forever Classic Bag I think that even if I had $260k to spend on a handbag, I wouldn't really want this one. But to each their own. If you love it and have the $$ go for it :) I agree it is a work of art .. but not all art is for everyone. __________________ "Indecision may or may not be my problem..." What I think about sometimes @ http://finzup.blogspot.com

Aug 6th, 2007, 08:16 PM	#8
Leelee Up On My Toes! Location: Highland, Maryland	Re: Chanel Diamond Forever Classic Bag It is sooooo pretty! It's the kind of bag I imagine Princess Diana would carry. I can't think of anyone else off the top of my head who is beautiful or worthy enough of such elegance.

Aug 6th, 2007, 09:07 PM	#9
alatrop GO RED WINGS! Location: Ohio/Michigan	Re: Chanel Diamond Forever Classic Bag I can understand if designers created pieces like this for museums and the like, but for someone to actually own one and possibly use it? Stupid! __________________ - polar bear charm - cupcake lanyard? - bunny, ox, etc charms! - capacity wristlet of some sort

Aug 6th, 2007, 09:32 PM	#10
chicbabacool hippie dans français Location: MI	Re: Chanel Diamond Forever Classic Bag Fit for a princess!

Aug 6th, 2007, 10:08 PM	#11
ValleyO Member Location: Sacramento, CA	Re: Chanel Diamond Forever Classic Bag The alligator is gorgeous but the diamonds are a tad over the top IMO.

Aug 6th, 2007, 10:24 PM	#12
thanni Member	Re: Chanel Diamond Forever Classic Bag Thanks for sharing, very good article indeed. I think the bag is absolutely stunning, but... really... with that kind of price tag...no matter how much I love handbags,there are limits to how much I am willing to fork out for a single handbag.

Aug 6th, 2007, 10:33 PM	#13
theglamorous Member	Re: Chanel Diamond Forever Classic Bag I like it, But dont love it. __________________ I WANT MORE

Aug 6th, 2007, 11:14 PM	#14
gacats love me some bags! Location: Georgia	Re: Chanel Diamond Forever Classic Bag Wow, what a bag! Do you think Katie Holmes will get one if she gives Tom another child? That's my guess. __________________ GaCats Proud Navy Mom My 2009 wish list: Chanel Ultimate Soft medium handbag in black Louis Vuitton Panda pochette Something Goyard- yeah, that'll happen.....

Aug 6th, 2007, 11:57 PM	#15
lilja Member	Re: Chanel Diamond Forever Classic Bag I like it, but not so much for that amount of money. Frankly, there are other bags that I love much more that cost much less...