A halo of legend seems to envelop some of the most iconic fashion bags. Although designers and brands are committed each year to proposing new models, the classics do not seem to waver, remaining at the top of the popularity (and sales!) in the hearts of consumers. To have made them such is certainly a unique versatility, an elegance that goes beyond time and space and that is able to impose itself as an ideal of beauty in every age and society. Think of the clean and basic lines of Chanel’s 2.55, a bag that Jackie Kennedy wore combined with Valentino custom-made suits and that Lily-Rose Depp today combines with nonchalance to skinny jeans and crop-tops. To increase their charm, however, are the background that led to their realization, a creative genesis that has its roots in anecdotes and episodes of the private life of the great couturiers. From Christian Dior to Louis Vuitton, there are iconic bags that live in the dreams of the most avid fashion lovers, and that have also conquered the hearts of those women for whom a bag is (only) an accessory!
CHANEL’S 2.55 IS THE QUEEN OF ICONIC BAGS
The 2.55, so called because of its date of creation (in February 1955), was conceived by Gabrielle Chanel herself, who wanted to give the modern woman a formal and elegant handbag that did not, however, bind her hands. Hence the idea of the shoulder strap chain, in a delicate gold colour that perfectly matches the black of the matelassé leather creating a unique balance of textures, colors, and volumes.
AMONG THE MOST ICONIC BAGS EVER THE MISS DIOR IS THE MOST FEMININE
The Lady Dior is one of the iconic bags with the most fascinating history. In fact, the idea for its realization dates back to 1995, when the French première dame Bernadette Chirac personally contacted the maison Dior in order to create an exclusive gift for the Princess of Wales, Lady Diana. The rest has become a legend, and the Lady Dior is still one of the most popular bags ever.
LOUIS VUITTON’S SPEEDY IS THE SYMBOL OF ICONIC BAGS THAT ARE RENEWED
The Louis Vuitton Speedy is one of the longest lasting iconic bags of all. It was in fact created in the Thirties as a smaller version of the Keepal suitcase: a comfortable and practical travel bag that had the technical characteristics of a luggage and the elegance of a walking bag. The result? The first waterproof and with a soft structure bag of history, foldable and ideal for any travel, for the train and (later) for the plane.
THE FENDI BAGUETTE IS STILL ONE OF THE MOST ICONIC BAGS OF ALL TIMES
Although it seems to have always existed, the Fendi Baguette was born “only” in 1997 thanks to the creative genius of Silvia Venturini Fendi and her creative directors Maria Grazia Chiuri and Pierpaolo Piccioli. Taking its name from the typical French loaf of bread, the Baguette not only imposes itself as an it-bag, but also launches the fashion of clutch bags under the arm, definitively consecrated by Sarah Jessica Parker as Carrie Bradshaw in Sex & The City.
WHEN ICONIC BAGS ARE LINKED TO A LOGO: THE LEGEND OF THE MONOGRAM BY SAINT LAURENT
Yves Saint Laurent was one of the most fascinating designers of the Twentieth century. A controversial personality divided between the excesses of his private life and the refinement of his collections, monsieur Yves revolutionized women’s fashion by making it aggressive, bold and without limits. However, its most iconic creation remains the legendary logo with oriental curves, which has become one of the most famous ever. It is the YSL monogram that makes the Monogram Bags unique and a must-have, a series of leather clutches and clutch bags with metal maxi-logos: this is the signature that Yves Saint Laurent has put on his bags, a symbol that makes them immediately recognizable.
NOT JUST ICONIC BAGS BUT ALSO CINEMA LEGENDS: THE KELLY BY HERMÈS
Hermès bags are inevitably linked to the characters that inspired them. In the case of the Kelly, the muse was the Oscar-winning actress and princess of Monaco Grace Kelly, always considered the symbol of absolute elegance and charm. It is precisely because of these unique characteristics that, in the Thirties, Emile-Maurice Hermès wanted to dedicate a bag to her that reflected all her beauty: essential, with materials of exceptional quality, but at the same time incredibly practical. Kelly is currently in the running for the first place among the most iconic bags ever, even though it won the record for the most expensive one: a model in crocodile and diamonds was sold at auction for a good 2 million dollars!
MODERN ICONIC BAGS? GUCCI TAKES CARE OF IT WITH ITS DYONIUSUS
Alessandro Michele, creative director of Gucci, has taken up the heritage of the founder Guccio Gucci to give a new spirit to the Florentine brand. The maison’s renewal was evident, and around Gucci a hype was created that shows no sign of abating. Accomplice to this is the rediscovery of an intellectual fashion linked to aesthetic and philosophical ideals: a fashion with a profound meaning. The emblem of this new route is the Dyonisus, a bag that reflects the lively spirit of the Greek god Dionysus. It is an elegant and majestic accessory, but at the same time it has the necessary practicality to lend itself to fun and carefree moments.
AMONG THE ICONIC BAGS, PRADA’S HOBO OF IS THE FIRST IN NYLON
Prada condenses the soul of Milan into its collections: sophisticated, always committed, and incredibly chic. As evidence of this metropolitan allure there are nylon bags, a synthetic fabric fibre once considered poor material and which, in 1987, Miuccia Prada turned into a luxury item. A light, durable and waterproof fibre that meets the needs of the business woman. It is the birth of the evergreen trend of ugly chic.
CELINE’S TRAPEZE JUST ENTERED IN THE TOP 10 OF ICONIC BAGS
This Celine bag is one of the iconic bags of our ranking to have entered the top 10 only a few years ago. Thanks to the intervention of Phoebe Philo at the head of the brand since 2008, the Trapeze, declined in different materials and textures, has won the hearts of fashionistas for its capacity and the precise geometry of its forms.
THE LAST OF OUR ICONIC BAGS IS THE FALABELLA BY STELLA MCCARTNEY
The unique design of the Falabella is just one of the many features that have made it one of the most iconic bags ever. In fact, the thing that differentiates it from all the others and that earns her a place of honour in the ranking is her being totally in eco-leather. Stella McCartney is indeed a convinced animalist and decided to create an accessory that was a mix of luxury and ethics.