Design Inspiration

The Le Boy bag debuted in Fall/Winter 2011, created by artistic director Karl Lagerfeld as a tribute to founder Coco Chanel.

Chanel Fall/Winter 2011 Fashion Show

Karl Lagerfeld

Chanel Creative Director

• 1933 – 2019
• German
• Creative Director at Fendi (1965-2019) and Chanel (1983-2019)

“Coco Chanel used men’s suit lining fabrics to make dresses for women. She had a very boyish, straightforward attitude, which is the essence of the Chanel brand.”

The bag’s design was inspired by Coco Chanel’s hunting cartridge case, featuring a full flap structure with distinctive three-dimensional framing resembling a bullet magazine.

Boy Bag and Hunting Cartridge Case

Gabrielle Coco Chanel Hunting with Churchill Family (1928)

Click to enlarge: Frame Detail

The bag is named after Coco Chanel’s lover, British businessman and polo player Arthur Boy Capel, who supported her first boutique and inspired Chanel’s signature pearl necklaces and camellia designs.

Gabrielle Coco Chanel with Arthur Boy Capel

After Boy Capel’s death in a 1919 car accident, Chanel vowed to dress all women in black to mourn him, creating the famous “Little Black Dress”.

Gabrielle Coco Chanel and Her “Little Black Dress” Sketch

Structured Silhouette

The clean rectangular shape and hardware frame are signature elements of the Boy bag, with three parallel frames defining its structured silhouette and straight stitching adding dimension.

The rigid frame maintains the bag’s shape from all angles, preventing tipping when set down.

The interior compartment is slightly smaller than the flap, with natural leather folding on the sides for some expansion space.

Quilted Pattern & Grained Calfskin

The interior diamond quilted pattern is another Chanel signature, inspired by equestrian riding jackets that Coco Chanel saw at horse races.

Click to enlarge: Quilting Detail

The bag is crafted from navy blue grained calfskin, with raised pebbled texture reflecting light like a starry night sky.

The supple calfskin resists creasing and is less prone to scratches or wear.

Vintage Lock

The distinctive vintage lock draws inspiration from antique padlocks, incorporating the iconic double-C motif. Press the rectangular buttons on both sides to pop open the central lock. Made of ruthenium-finished brass for an antique look.

The double-C logo is embossed on the angular plate, with matching engravings on the lock core for a layered effect.

Rugged Chain Strap

The shoulder strap embodies classical yet free-spirited charm, combining a rugged horsebit-style brass chain with an adjustable leather strap.

Hardware details are exquisite, with CHANEL engraved on the flap connectors and double-C logos on the strap adjusters.

Click to enlarge: Chain Detail

What Fits Inside?

The lining features navy blue striped knit fabric, soft with some stretch. There’s a flat interior pocket and a leather tag with gold-stamped CHANEL logo.

We fit a notebook, card holder, iPhone, small perfume, and lipstick – meeting daily essentials.

Fashion Look

With its bold silhouette, compact vintage appeal, iconic double-C and quilting, plus two-way carrying options, the Boy bag is a timeless new classic.