The Chanel Gabrielle hobo launched in spring 2017 as a tribute to the house founder, Gabrielle Chanel. Karl Lagerfeld designed it for a younger audience, and he built it around a single adjustable strap that lets the bag be worn three different ways: over the shoulder, crossbody, or both at once.
When did the Chanel Gabrielle launch?
The Gabrielle arrived with the spring 2017 collection. Chanel positioned it as an effortless "it" bag with a contemporary twist, aimed at a younger demographic than the house's classics usually reach. It was a statement that the classics were not the whole story, and the bag was the centerpiece of the house's pitch to a new generation of clients.
Why is the bag named Gabrielle?
The name is the tribute. Lagerfeld drew his inspiration from Gabrielle Chanel, the founder who built the house on the conviction that women should be free to move and dress as they choose. The bag was designed to honor her constant desire to put women's freedom first, freedom of style, and it does so in the most direct way possible: by carrying her given name into every conversation about it. The connection between the founder and the design is not decoration, it is the whole idea behind the bag.
What inspired the Gabrielle's shape?
The bag's shape takes inspiration from oculus glasses, a reference that makes the design read as modern rather than classic. Chanel built it as a hobo, a style that follows the wearer instead of holding a rigid, structured line, and the adjustable strap completes the picture. Against the house's famous structured flaps, the Gabrielle was designed to feel like a looser, more contemporary option. The rounded, slightly unexpected silhouette helps the bag avoid looking like anything else in the lineup, which is what makes it identifiable from across a room.
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How do you wear the Gabrielle three ways?
The adjustable strap is the Gabrielle's signature feature, and it delivers three wear positions: over the shoulder for a classic look, crossbody for hands-free days, or both straps at once when you want the strap doubled up. One bag shifts between the positions without any change of hardware, which is why it was pitched as effortless. The versatility is the design's whole argument: the same bag covers an afternoon of errands and a dinner reservation, and it works with a winter coat or a summer dress alike. Carry it long on busy days and doubled up when you want the bag close.
How was the Gabrielle received?
The launch drew mixed reviews among Chanel fans, some of whom doubted the longevity of the style. Celebrities and influencers embraced the Gabrielle quickly, however, and the bag went on to become a staple in Chanel's collection. The doubt was about longevity, not quality, and the years since have answered the question.
Which Gabrielles have passed through Luxe Du Jour?
Over the years the Gabrielle hobo has arrived at Luxe Du Jour in a striking range of colorways, including ombre, green, all pink, black and pink, baby blue and royal blue. Part of the appeal is the range itself: the same silhouette can read neutral or bold, depending on the leather and the finish, which is why the style has kept its momentum. That range is also why the style keeps finding new owners: there is a Gabrielle for a neutral wardrobe, and a Gabrielle for someone who wants the bag to be the loudest thing in the outfit.
Frequently asked questions
What year did the Chanel Gabrielle bag come out?
Spring 2017. It launched as a contemporary "it" bag positioned for a younger generation of Chanel clients.
Why is the bag called the Gabrielle?
The name honors the house founder, Gabrielle Chanel, and her belief in putting women's freedom, and freedom of style, first.
How many ways can you wear the Gabrielle?
Three: over the shoulder, crossbody, or both straps at once. The adjustable strap is the bag's signature design feature.
Is the Gabrielle still part of the Chanel collection?
Yes. Despite mixed reviews at launch, celebrities and influencers embraced the style, and it became a staple in Chanel's collection.
Browse authenticated Chanel bags at Luxe Du Jour, or compare the house's modern icons in all about the Chanel 19 and the GST tote guide.
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