JUJIN PLAXA.

JUJIN PLAXA.

An incident prompted this article when a client asked me to authenticate a Chanel bag, but I noticed that a crucial part of the design was missing from the flap. Upon inquiry, the client admitted to removing it, mistaking it for an initial added by the previous owner.

I don’t plan my articles, but thank you to my clients who always inspire me to write.

Until 1980, Chanel had no official boutiques in Japan. Instead, the company partnered with Liebermann Waelchli, a Swiss retailer, to distribute Chanel products, mostly cosmetics and perfumes in the country. Jujin Plaza, a luxury store founded in 1965 that sold goods from France, Italy, and other parts of Europe to royalties and celebrities, also collaborated with Chanel to sell their handbags and RTW at their three locations in Tokyo and Nagoya. However, the items sold at Jujin Plaxa had a tag with the store logo, which was either glued or stitched to the item on flaps. It was placed on top of the “Made in France” heat stamp or on the interior side of the flap to indicate the place of purchase. Bags purchased at Japanese Chanel boutiques would later bear a gold sticker that indicated the date and boutique initials, like a hallmark for the purchase location.

Most of the time, Chanel flaps sold at Jujin Plaxa featured the original design of the CC embroidered logo and lock, which was in reverse and known as the “phantom CC” in Japan. During this era, hybrid design flaps (Mademoiselle Bijoux chain and CC turnlock classic flaps, or woven chain with Mademoiselle lock flaps ) were still being produced. The packaging, including dustbags and boxes, bore the Jujin Plaxa logo as well.

In 1980, Chanel K.K. was established in Japan, and the company opened over 40 boutiques nationwide. From then on, Chanel goods were exclusively sold at Chanel boutiques in Japan.

This post highlights that the CC lock was used on 2.55 flaps before Karl Lagerfeld’s time, and I will discuss this further in a forthcoming article.

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