THE STORY BEHIND 5 ICONIC BAGS

In the Matthieu Blazy era, the architecture of the Bottega Veneta bag has been completely reimagined. The Bottega Veneta Andiamo emerges within his vocabulary as a piece that fuses two realities: legacy and future. Introduced at the end of 2022, following the debut of the Sardine and the Kalimero, it proposes a new kind of elevated functionality. Its name, “let’s go” in Italian, hints at its purpose, a bag designed to travel distances, guided by its artisanal soul.

Its construction begins with the house’s historic intrecciato, reinterpreted to function as the structural framework of a tote. There are no hidden rigid panels; the woven leather itself forms the architecture. The leather’s calibrated thickness, the handwoven texture measured in days of work, and its generous compartments are all designed to hold essentials, and more. The Andiamo is flexible, yet strikingly vertical. Its base is reinforced with inner folds that preserve its proportions. The engineering of the firm tubular top handle contrasts with the adjustable strap that moves naturally with the wearer.

The metallic knot is no arbitrary detail. It recalls the brand’s historic Knot, the first emblem of Bottega Veneta in the 1970s. The Andiamo bag comes in three sizes (mini, medium, and large), each designed for everyday life or journeys of increasing length. It has been spotted on the arms of modern style icons such as Jennifer Lawrence, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, Jacob Elordi, and Kendall Jenner.

Under the creative direction of Christophe Lemaire and Sarah-Linh Tran, Lemaire developed a language that is both utilitarian and poetic. Within this framework came the Lemaire Croissant, a bag that translates the curved French viennoiserie into soft engineering. It went viral not only for its design but also for appearing in the wardrobes of artists such as Jennie from Blackpink. Its proportion, lightness, and ergonomics make it a piece conceived to accompany daily life with quiet intelligence.

Its construction begins with a crescent-shaped body, defined by molded panels and perimeter seams that guide its form. Crafted in nappa leather, its touch is resistant yet supple. In other versions made of coated cotton, the final texture becomes crisp and water-repellent, with a subtle, controlled sheen. It bears no ostentatious hardware, and depending on the size, it features a discreet pocket hidden on one side.

The strap is fixed and wide, distributing weight evenly and resting naturally on the shoulder or across the body. Though not adjustable, its drop is calculated to sit comfortably over layers, like knits, wool, coats, and trenches. In use, the Lemaire Croissant bag molds to the torso, following the curve of the body while keeping the hands free. Available in three sizes (small, medium, and large) the small holds daily essentials, while the large is perfect for long commutes and airport travel. The palette moves through earthy neutrals (black, taupe, olive) with occasional pale seasonal tones.

With Jonathan Anderson’s arrival in 2013, Loewe defined a new notion of contemporary leather craftsmanship. The Loewe Puzzle, first unveiled in the men’s Spring/Summer 2015 debut and established later that year in the women’s collection, was the first bag designed by JW Anderson for the house. With it, he sought to rethink the very construction of the handbag through a concept inspired by the tradition of origami.

The silhouette starts from a segmented cubic volume, composed of panels of leather that create overlapping and folding planes. Up to seventy-five pieces, precisely cut and hand-assembled in the brand’s Spanish ateliers. The Puzzle is finished with clean bevels, layered hand-painted edges, and seams that frame the geometry of the bag. The leather, usually soft-grained, retains memory, thus folding and unfolding without losing its unmistakable architecture. The first Puzzle bag could be flattened, an idea that encapsulates Anderson’s logic: movement as both physical and conceptual principle.

Its evolution into designs like the Loewe Puzzle Fold extends that foldable idea into a lightweight yet functional tote. Ten years after its debut, the Puzzle remains an inextricable icon of Loewe, interpreted in raffia, patchwork, artistic editions, collaborations with Studio Ghibli, leather sequins, and a myriad of variations that continue to expand the bag’s contemporary identity.

With Miuccia Prada, technical clothing became a central pillar of the house. The Prada Re-Edition 2000 and 2005 models update an archetype that Prada first defined in the 1980s with its Vela nylon: lightweight, resistant, and modern. Today, that same fabric is called Re-Nylon (ECONYL®) (a regenerated fiber made from fishing nets and industrial waste) maintaining the silky touch and durability that made the house famous.

The Re-Edition 2005 revisits the early-2000s mini shoulder hobo: compact, with a top zipper, a short handle, and Saffiano leather details, including a pane d’oro leather tag stamped with the year of release. The enamel Prada trianglemarks the front (once a seal of quality) while the technical lining protects without altering the silhouette. Its construction features nylon panels reinforced with Saffiano leather piping and stitching, with oversized zipper pulls for ease of use, even with gloves.

Within the Prada Re-Edition 2005 series, seasonal reinterpretations appear in materials like crystal satin, coated terry, crochet, or canvas, with color palettes ranging from black to gingham pastels. Beyond its Y2K revival (once seen on the shoulders of early-2000s icons) it has firmly established its place within today’s pop iconography.

Under Hedi Slimane’s direction, Celine has redefined its visual language since 2018. Within this new vocabulary, the Triomphe has become a cornerstone. Yet it does not emerge from nothing, it is born from the archive, from a 1970s reference in Celine’s history: the chains that encircle the Arc de Triomphe in Paris, where Céline Vipiana recognized two mirrored Cs and obtained permission from the city to use them as an emblem. Slimane revived that symbol, renewing it and transforming it into the clasp and heart of the bag.

The Celine Triomphe bag was introduced in the Spring/Summer 2019 show, with calculated proportions and a sharply defined structure. Crafted from certified leathers with a satin finish, it retains its form while offering a remarkably soft tactile feel. The silhouette is slightly rectangular, with rounded edges and an internal accordion system that maintains a stable, compact volume.

The metallic double-C (never before used with such prominence) acts as a pressure clasp. This polished gold hardware is instantly recognizable. The Triomphe bag is available in several sizes (Classique, Teen, Large) and in variations of smooth leather, Triomphe canvas, and seasonal finishes ranging from gelato tones to metallics, satin, or embroidered crystal.

Figures such as Kaia Gerber, Angelina Jolie, Margaret Qualley, and Lisa from Blackpink have secured its presence both on the streets and in editorials. Celine is available exclusively in our physical stores.