Every great bag tells a great story. From Hollywood starlets to first ladies and the British royal family, here’s a look back at the stories behind some of the greatest designer-muse associations in handbag history. For more of your favorite handbags, visit Christie's online-only Handbag Shop, which launched 5 December.
THE BAG: HERMÈS BIRKIN THE MUSE: JANE BIRKIN THE STORY: As legend has it, the bohemian chanteuse was on an airplane and spilled the contents of her handbag, prompting her seatmate to advise that she switch to one with pockets. Birkin demurred, saying that she would acquire such a bag as soon as Hermès designed one. Touché. Her seatmate turned out to be none other than Hermès executive Jean-Louis Dumas. The two began sketching ideas on an air sickness bag mid-flight, and in 1984, the Hermès Birkin made its debut. Et voilà – the rest is fashion history.
THE BAG: FERRAGAMO SOFIA THE MUSE: SOPHIA LOREN THE STORY: Salvatore Ferragamo’s inimitable fashions have catered to the stars of Hollywood’s Golden Age — names like Greta Garbo, Audrey Hepburn and Lauren Bacall. The Sofia bag was introduced in 2009, and pays homage to one of its brightest stars of all, Sophia Loren.
THE BAG: HERMÈS KELLY THE MUSE: GRACE KELLY THE STORY: Called the Sac à Dépêche when first introduced in the 1930s, it was renamed the Kelly bag in 1956 after the newly married Princess Grace of Monaco used one to conceal her pregnant belly from the paparazzi.
THE BAG: MARC JACOBS STAM THE MUSE: JESSICA STAM THE STORY: Named after top Canadian model Jessica Stam, the designer’s classic 'it' bag became an immediate favorite when it debuted on the runways in 2005. Its quilted leather and weighty hardware caused a frenzy amongst fashionistas the world over.
THE BAG: HERMÈS CONSTANCE THE MUSE: CONSTANCE CHAILLET THE STORY: Hermès launched its Constance bag in 1969 after in-house designer Catherine Chaillet gave birth to her daughter, Constance. Today, in addition to being the namesake for one of the brand’s most coveted styles, Constance Chaillet is a well-known French journalist and writer.
THE BAG: BVLGARI ISABELLA ROSSELLINI BAG THE MUSE: ISABELLA ROSSELLINI THE STORY: As a child, the young Isabella Rossellini got her first taste of high fashion by accompanying her mother, Ingrid Bergman, to the high-end boutiques along the Via Condotti in Rome. Inspiring a lifelong love of style, Rossellini went on to collaborate with Bvlgari on the design of this 1950s-inspired handbag, which launched to great fanfare in 2010.
THE BAG: GUCCI JACKIE THE MUSE: JACKIE ONASSIS THE STORY: This classic Hobo style gained an international following thanks to the former First Lady, who made it the go-to accessory to her timeless and enviable ensembles.
THE BAG: LOUIS VUITTON SC THE MUSE: SOFIA COPPOLA THE STORY: An Oscar-winning filmmaker and daughter of Hollywood royalty, Coppola partnered with longtime friend and then-Creative Director Marc Jacobs on a bag that was both chic and discreet. Enter the Louis Vuitton SC bag in 2007. Praised for being as functional as it is stylish, it is also a favorite of celebs like Dakota Fanning, Kate Moss and Miranda Kerr.
THE BAG: DIOR LADY D THE MUSE: DIANA, PRINCESS OF WALES THE STORY: French First Lady Bernadette Chirac is said to have gifted the Dior handbag to Princess Diana in 1995. Lady Di loved the style so much that she went on to acquire one in nearly every color.
THE MUSE: BRIGITTE BARDOT THE STORY: An iconic bag for an iconic beauty, the Gucci Bardot perfectly captures the French screen siren’s trend-setting style: feminine, curvy and eternally glamorous.
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