The Art of Collecting Color

Chanel colors worth collecting are the ones that feel particular to a season. The pink, orange, green and red bags here come in caviar, lambskin, vinyl, patent and alligator, each with its own sheen.

 

Among the eight in this grid, I would look first at the Chanel Pink Quilted Patent Leather Chain Border Flap Maxi, the Chanel Red Alligator Half Flap Jumbo and the Chanel Pink Lambskin Leather Chocolate Bar Clutch.

 

I would choose the color I would wear every day, since a bright bag is happiest when it is used. For more Chanel, see The Collectible Chanel Edit.

Monogram Vernis, launched in 1998, was made in a long run of shades. The Amarante, Cerise, Noisette, red and pink bags here are seasonal colors from earlier years. Among the eight in this grid, I would look first at the Louis Vuitton Amarante Monogram Vernis Bellevue PM, the Louis Vuitton Noisette Monogram Vernis Roxbury and the Louis Vuitton Red Monogram Vernis Roxbury.

 

The glossy finish does a lot of the work, so the rest of the outfit can stay quiet. See The Louis Vuitton Collector's Club for more.

Dior's Trotter canvas came in pastel and bright versions, and Fendi's Zucchino and embroidered pieces play with print and color in a different way. Together they show two houses treating pattern as a creative field.

 

Among the eight in this grid, I would look first at the Christian Dior Navy Denim Trotter Flight Pouch, the Fendi Multicolor Leather Embellished Baguette and the Fendi Black Zucchino Canvas Tube Messenger Bag Small.

 

See The Fendi Archive for more.

Gucci made GG canvas in yellow, orange, pink, gold, blue and navy, often finished with the green and red Web stripe. These are brighter than the classic beige and easier to spot in a crowd.

 

Among the eight in this grid, I would look first at the Gucci Gold Original GG Canvas D-Ring Abbey Tote Large, the Gucci Pink Original GG Canvas Britt Hobo and the Gucci Blue Original GG Canvas Boston Handbag Small.

 

See The Gucci Years for more.

Collect one color family at a time. Red is a good place to start, because it works with almost everything.

 

Then wear it often, and let the bag set the palette for the day. Color is one of the simplest ways into archival fashion, and it rewards people who are not afraid to be noticed. Whatever you pick, read the listing closely and wear it often.