How the most iconic bags of luxury brands have evolved

There are designs that are impregnated in our memory for eternity, discover the history and evolution of the iconic bags in the fashion industry;

Bag Birkin Hermès

The legend continues with the new Birkin 3-in-1, built like a puzzle. Its iconic bag flap can be removed and converted into a clutch in canvas and leather.

This tote bag came into our lives in the 80sfrom the French brand Hermès. In pop culture the Birkin, named after French-British actress and singer Jane Birkin, has become a symbol of wealth and exclusivity.

The story of its creation is as iconic as its trajectory. It was on a Paris-London flight that the English actress Jane Birkin met the Hermès manager, Jean-Louis Dumas.

During the flight Jane complained to her seatmate about how difficult it was to find a bag she liked and yet spacious enough to hold all her toiletries. The pair spent the flight sketching possible bag designs and just a year later, Dumas introduced Jane to the Birkin bag, a roomy yet sophisticated leather design perfect for everyday use.

Handmade by hand, these bags are distributed in Hermès boutiques in limited quantities, creating long waiting lists, this exclusivityis what has made this accessory one of the iconic bags in the history of fashion. 

Loewe Amazona Handbag

The Madrid-based firm, which has been in business for more than 170 years, started out in the leather goods sector, becoming a supplier to the court of Alfonso XIII. In 1975 it created one of its iconic bags: the Amazona, defined as a synonym of freedom and independence.

In celebration of its 175th anniversary Loewe presented in its Autumn-Winter 2021 collection two new models of the Amazona: the Amazona 19 Square and the Amazona 28, whose numbers indicate the width of the bag in centimetres. It returns updated for a higher level of modernity.

The original design was created by the Italian Darío Rossi, a practical bag, with the warrior spirit of women in mind. Perfect to create different combinations and wear it both day and night;

His appearance coincided with the opening of Spain to the outside world, after years of dictatorship, and he managed to internationalise the Spanish house. During these 40 years Loewe has reinvented itself, adapting to the trends of the moment.

Loewe’s long history takes us through the evolution of Spanish fashion and since the 1970s its international expansion has been uninterrupted.

Handbag 11.12, “The Classic” by Chanel

In its new The CHANEL Iconic campaign, the French maison pays tribute to one of its greatest icons, a sign of Gabrielle Chanel’s avant-garde vision: the bag 11.12. .

Born as a reinterpretation of the unforgettable  bag 2.55, created in February 1955 by Coco Chanel, reached its peak under the reign of Karl Lagerfeldin the early 80s.It differed from its predecessor thanks to its clasp decorated with a double C and its metal chain linked with leather. The quilted padding covering the bag was inspired by the world of horses, one of Coco Chanel’s hobbies.

Recognisable by its rounded main pocket nicknamed “Mona Lisa’s smile” and its seven pockets, on the shoulders of the campaign’s protagonists: Anna Mouglalis, Rianne van Rompaey, Imaan Hammam, Louise de Chevigny and Zoé Adjani, it proves that the 11.12 bag is still more than a classic. As actress Anna Mouglalis aptly sums up: “The 11.12 bag is simply Chanel. It is one of the iconic pieces that tells the whole story, with all the elegance of the House. I think its iconic status comes from the simplicity of the shape. If you ask someone to draw a bag, this is the one that immediately comes to mind because of its ultimate refinement.

Designed for everyday life, it remains an icon of timeless elegance that will forever embody the spirit of Chanel;

Lady Dior bag

The Lady Dior bag is still one of the flagships of the French fashion house. Born out of a desire to stand out from the crowd, it was created in the Dior workshops inspired by haute couture;

Initially presented under the name “Chouchou”-preferred in French-the elegant bag was catapulted to fame thanks to the figure of Princess Diana of Wales. One of the most beloved members of the British Royal Family, she first wore this accessory in 1995, on one of her visits to Paris. Subsequently, as a tribute to her figure, the brand renamed it “Lady Dior”.

The elegant bags are mini masterpieces in their own right, concealing a minimum of 8 hours of craftsmanship. Created in lamb nappa leather with an emblematic Cannage motif and rounded handles, they are the very epitome of Haute Couture refinement.

Since 2008, French actress Marion Cotillard has represented Lady Dior in many of its facets, becoming the image of the brand. Together with her, she has experienced the evolution of its designs and its commitment to innovation.

 

The Lady Dior was reinvented for the Spring-Summer 2020 season by Maria Grazia Chiuri as “Lady D-Lite”. A fresh, modern take on the classic piece of leather goods that keeps the legend of the accessory alive;

Louis Vuitton Speedy Handbag

Created in the early 1920s, the Speedy bag marked a turning point in the history of Louis Vuitton. Designed as a smaller interpretation of the Keepall bag, it became the French house’s first handbag for everyday use.

But, the Monogram canvas Speedy, as we know it today, was not launched until 1959. Its name refers to globetrotters, constantly travelling around the world. A fun fact, Speedy bags, when bought new from Louis Vuitton boutiques, come with a lock and key.

The silhouette of the classic 30cm bag had a structured, rounded body with a flat, rectangular bottom and a slightly domed top. Its international recognition came thanks to actress Audrey Hepburn, when in 1959 she asked for a smaller, 25cm version of the bag to be created, giving birth to the now more than recognisable “Speedy 25”.

Prada Nylon Mini Bag

Undoubtedly one of Prada‘s most recognisable core materials is Nylon. Since its introduction in 1984, this water-resistant fabric has formed part of some of the brand’s iconic bags. Differentiating itself from other fashion houses, which at the time worked predominantly with leather, Prada opted to innovate in its designs with the use of nylon;

After launching the nylon backpack in the 80s, Miuccia Prada introduced nylon mini bags in 2000, which became the favorite garment of celebrities for their versatility and practicality.

Twenty years later, the Italian house presented the Prada “Re-Edition” 2000Prada bagin 2020, bringing back one of its most recognisable iconic bags.

Prada’s new bag for autumn-winter 2021 is called Cloe and is a modern interpretation of an iconic design from the brand’s archives of the 1990s.

 

So much for the evolution of six of the most iconic bags in luxury fashion. Designs for the future, from the Birkin by Hermès to the “Classic” by Chanel. More than 60 years of a journey through the bags that defined an era and continue to reinvent themselves to adapt to the new times.

 

Images courtesy of the brands mentioned.