Hermès Black Diamond Birkin (approx. $148,000)
A highly coveted, designer confection notable for its quality craftsmanship, four-figure or more price tag, and legion of celebrity fans, is a fitting way to describe the crave-worthy “it” bag. Celebrities such as Victoria Beckham a.k.a. Posh Spice, who is rumored to own more than 100 Hermès Birkin bags, are often snapped sporting one of these designer must-haves.
Every season there is an introduction of a trendsetting handbag from a high-end designer label such as Chanel, Hermès, or the logo-laden Louis Vuitton and Gucci. The elusive “it” bag is sought after by everyone from Hollywood glitterati to high-society socialites, even mainstream fashion enthusiasts have fallen prey.
These bags have gained notoriety for the must-have, celebrity-induced frenzy that they cause. In most cases they are limited edition with only a select few being privy to the when and where to get them.
Luxury brands are going to great lengths to entice the young jet-setting crowd to sport their heavenly handbags like Louis Vuitton who dusted off its vintage claim to fame for a more edgier and colorful plunge into the contemporary thanks to collaborations between the brand’s creative director Marc Jacobs and artists Japanese Takashi Murakami (cherry blossom pattern) and American Richard Prince (denim jacquard print).
Louis Vuitton Monogram Pulp vinyl-coated Denim Jacquard Weekender (approx. $3,500)
It can get a bit pricey to sport an “it” bag, but if you’re in the league of Katie Holmes, Victoria Beckham, or fashion stylist du jour, Rachel Zoe, then you are sure to have at least one.
However, dangling from the arm of an A-lister isn’t the only prerequisite to getting “it” bag status. Several other designer handbags have been heralded as “it” bags including the Fendi Spy to the Alexander McQueen Novak. But the styles that have been quintessential “it” bags and have inspired a legacy of copy cats the Hermès Birkin and the Chanel 2.55 quilted chain link bag, which was featured in the Chanel Mobile Art exhibition.
Iconic fashion designer Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel introduced the 2.55-quilted chain link bag in 1955. This classic bag is one of the most imitated designs with its chain link handles that have leather woven through the links.
Another classic handbag comes from Hermès, the French purveyor of fine leather goods, who is known for the Birkin bag, which gets its moniker from British actress Jane Birkin. The boxy bag has a stylized briefcase design and latches with a mini padlock. It has even been featured in television shows such as “Sex and the City” and “Gossip Girl.”
Besides the high price tags and a celebrity following, there’s usually a waiting list to purchase one of these luxury handbags. Styles come and trends evolve but these bags have longevity in fashion because they continue to inspire new versions like the Ralph Lauren Ricky bag (named after his wife) that resembles the Hermès Birkin handbag and the Marc Jacobs Stam bag, which is similar to the Chanel 2.55 quilted handbag.
Recently, there has been an anti “it” bag movement with the reintroduction of the simple canvas tote. But, as more and more people became driven by high-end fashion, partly do to fashion designers creating masstige lines — a consumer branding phenomenon where luxury brands are designing for the masses — there will continue to be an upward trend towards finding the perfect “it” bag.
Chicly Yours,
The Chic Spy
