The history behind some of your favourite designer bags

Every artist has their muse, and the most prominent fashion houses today are known to have the ultimate inspirations. From Jodie Foster to Grace Kelly, here are some legends that made some bags iconic. Fashion is always an investment, and the timeless allure of these handbags will forever be invaluable. So, here, we unveil the chic chronicles behind some of the most coveted bags today. 

The Hermès Birkin 

Named after the beloved British actor, Jane Birkin, this bag is harder to get your hands on than the Mona Lisa. It is the most sought-after bag and sells for thousands of dollars. Jane Birkin complained about how difficult it had been to find a bag that suited her needs as a young mother while on a flight next to Jean-Louis Dumas, the Hermès executive chairman. When it came time for production, Dumas created the bag on the fly and named it Birkin.  

The Bottega Jodie 

After the summer of '23 and Hailey Bieber's undying love for this bag, this one is my favourite. The story behind this soon-to-be classic surrounds actress Jodie Foster using the original back to hide her face from the paparazzi. The bunding of the bag's strap in a fist inspired the eminent knot on the bag's strap in stores today. 

The Lady Dior

It's not surprising that this exquisite bag was inspired by royalty. The original name of this unreleased bag was Chouchou, which didn't particularly roll off the tongue. After Princess Diana was photographed carrying this celebrated classic, Dior renamed it in 1996 as 'Princesse' before calling it Lady Dior. 

The Hermès Kelly

This bag's origins date back to the '50s, when it was renamed after movie star Grace Kelly, in homage to the iconic paparazzi image of her using this bag to conceal her pregnancy. The bag looks similar to the Birkin but has minor details and different accents. 

The Gucci Jackie

The resurgence of this bag has taken the couture world by storm. From Harry Styles to Alia Bhatt, this beauty seems to hang on the arm of everyone. This undeniably versatile bag was a favourite of Jackie Kennedy's in the '60s, ten years after its original release. Taken with how it looked on the arm of Kennedy, it was renamed from Constance to Jackie. Over the years, this bag has changed from its original hobo style to a more structured one.