Has anyone bought from Chanel at Selfridges Manchester Exchange?

[MrsCalypsoGrant]

I'm threatening to buy a 2.55 Reissue

My nearest stockist is Manchester Selfridges Exchange Square. Has anyone bought there recently? (lockdown notwithstanding) What was your experience?

If anyone has opinions on the 2.55 itself I'd be glad to hear them too

@MrsCalypsoGrant haha it's a slippery slope! There's so much information out there - Chanel is such a interesting company. I'm a bit of a collector as it's all a bit addictive haha. Fingers crossed for you and do share your purchase!

@Giftwithpurchase It's certainly a fascinating company. I've been reading Justine Picardie's biography of Gabrielle Chanel, if you haven't read it I'd highly recommend it. It took Picardie 10 years to research & write apparently. She gained special permission to visit Chanel's apartment & see her own clothes, & to smell the one original bottle of No. 5 that is hidden in the perfumer's archive. Incredible stuff.

I've bought a few Chanel bags and SLGs from Manchester Selfridges as it's my nearest store, but usually purchase from NBS. Try calling either early in the morning or just before the store closes or email instead. All of my bags in both lamb and caviar have worn well with usual daily use, except for one seasonal tote which has terrible corner wear. Oddly, it's the bag I'm asked about most.

When I was obsessing about Chanel a few years ago I did lots of research on the purseforum. There is a section dedicated to the brand and all the bags/clothes and small leather goods. You shd check it out. It's like minded people from all over the world that are addicted to handbags.

Thanks @MapleMay11 I'm 1.5 hrs or so north of Manchester but for various reasons spend a lot of time in London (or did pre-Covid) so I've usually shopped at NBS. This will be the first at Manchester Selfridges if it goes ahead...

@Ireolu Thank you for that, I'll look it up 👍🏻

Just to say I’ve never bought a handbag from them in Selfridges but have been in there many times getting other things (including asking them to change the time on my watch, as no matter how many times I’m shown, it still looks ‘too delicate’ for me to pull the tiny working in such a way) and they have always been really friendly and helpful.
It’s also always fab to see people sat at the counter drinking a glass of champagne about to buy their handbag!

@Justfivemoreminutesplease Ah, do you have a J12?!

Do you think they are trying to be like Hermès? I worry I won't ever be able to afford one if they keep on rising the way they are! I watched a video and couldn't believe it really. 24 years old.

@MrsCalypsoGrant I have and it's a wonderful read. I think Lagerfeld was an absolute genius!

Btw I tend to use this website to check current prices - its great for tracking the shocking price increases too:

https://www.bragmybag.com/chanel-bags-prices

https://www.bragmybag.com/chanel-bags-prices/#ChanelBaggPricesinnUK

Pre Covid I was lucky enough to be able to travel a great deal and so it was helpful to compare prices around the world. For a while there Canada was the cheapest place to buy a classic haha

This is really making me want to buy a little something haha

@Giftwithpurchase Thank you 👍🏻

I agree about Lagerfeld. I think it's very telling that Chanel has only had two creative directors since Chanel herself, Lagerfeld & Viard. I love the iconic continuity - the suit, the pearls, the flap bags. It's all about evolution not revolution (I know that's the strap line of Rolex but it works for Chanel too!)

OP, I'm in Harrods! There are bags! my rewards card is happy haha

@MrsCalypsoGrant yes I do! Love it but I really wish I could change the date and the time in a much easier way!! “Pull it like this for this, half pull for that but don’t forget to push it in like this otherwise it won’t be waterproof”... arghhh!!!

@Inneedofanewwardrobe I'm very grateful I don't like tote bags at all or else I'd be sunk

@thiswaythat

Wow - so the SA at Chanel NBS was wrong?! That's amazing! It might be time to get my Harrods Reward Card out! Enjoy - & let us know what you buy

@Justfivemoreminutesplease

If you need virtual help let me know, my partner works in the luxury watch trade 👍🏻 I wore a J12 for years, loved it.

@MrsCalypsoGrant sounds like you have a gorgeous collection!! I’m definitely going to give your book suggestion a go too!

@thiswaythat oh so jealous, is very busy? Happy shopping!!!! 🛍

@Inneedofanewwardrobe for the Hermes point, the recent years price hikes really make think it’s going that way. I don’t work in the industry and I’m no pro, but I’m sure the jumbos were £4.5k a few years ago and now they’re £6.5k! (Guess it depends on leather etc) I don’t know if I can bring myself to watch that video out of sheer jealousy....!!

@MrsCalypsoGrant ohhhhhh I’m so jealous of the J12- how lovely 😍😍😍 your collection sounds better with each post !!!

@Inmypjsagain Picardie's book is wonderful. I think she's done some interviews about it that are available on YouTube too. She wandered round the orphanage at Aubazine, spoke to Chanel's still living niece & closest friend, & tried some of Chanel's own clothes on. Quite mind blowing.

The J12 found its way into the hands of my partner through a larger watch deal, she said "I don't really want this, I only accepted it as a part exchange for a Submariner, do you want to wear it?" I nearly fainted! It's quite fascinating having a partner who works in the world of luxury goods (though don't get the wrong impression - neither of us are loaded - she just has lots of stuff that passes through her hands as it were )

Justine Picardie is publishing a book about Christian Dior and one of his sisters later this year, subtitle is Courage and Couture . It will bea must read, meticulously researched .
Sorry to digress from a Chanel thread! But thought you might be interested.

@Gonegrey31No apologies necessary, that's a fantastic digression! I'll look that up when it comes out, thank you. I have the three hefty Catwalk books on Chanel, YSL and Dior, they're fabulous. Picardie is a great writer, she'll make an excellent job of tackling Dior.

The focus is on the sister who suffered terribly in ww2 and was later the person after whom the scent Miss Dior was named .

@Gonegrey31Interesting stuff. I know less about Dior than I do about Chanel or YSL so it will be an interesting read. I am fascinated by Dior's substantial family and friendship network, and how they helped him in building his empire. And the story of him and YSL - from how they came together professionally to how it all ended - is jaw dropping!

I have the classic , had mine for 7 years and I love it. I use it whenever I'm going somewhere dressy.

@bellsbuss

Ah that's fab Is it wearing well?