Turns out, quite a bit! And it’s kinda wild. I mean, you think of a massive brand like Chanel and picture, like, robot arms stitching everything together in some sterile factory, right? Nope. Apparently, they’ve got these ateliês, these workshops in Verneuil-en-Halatte, France, where artisans are *actually* hand-crafting these bags. Like, *really* hand-crafting. Like, the kind of hand-crafting that probably takes, I dunno, a week per bag? Maybe more! (Okay, I’m totally guessing on the time frame, but you get the point).
And it’s not just the bags, either. The Métiers d’Art, which is basically Chanel’s fancy way of saying “the artsy crafts stuff,” is all about handmade, haute couture goodness. We’re talking intricate embroidery, delicate beading, the kind of stuff that would make your grandma, the one who knits amazing sweaters, super impressed.
It’s kinda cool, actually, because in a world of fast fashion and mass production, Chanel’s clinging to this idea of craftsmanship. And, look, I’m not gonna lie, it probably justifies the crazy price tag. I mean, you’re not just paying for the name, you’re paying for, like, *someone’s actual time and skill*. That’s gotta count for something, right?
I saw this thing online, too, about how many operations go into making just ONE Chanel handbag. It’s insane! It’s not just stitching leather together. Its a whole process. And speaking of leather… they’re using the *best* materials. Like, the *absolute best*. Which, again, adds to the whole “worth the mortgage payment” thing.
And, okay, I’ll admit it. I also stumbled across some Chanel dupes while I was researching. Which, like, of course they exist. But honestly, knowing how much work goes into the real deal makes the dupes feel… kinda sad? Like, you’re missing the whole point. You’re just getting the *look* without the soul, you know?
