Housed in a splendid 17th-century property along the Herengracht in the centre of Amsterdam, the Tassenmuseum Hendrikje features more than 5,000 pieces which span the 16th century to the present day.
This fascinating overview of the evolution of handbags began as a single bag in the hands of an antique dealer, which grew into a private collection that has now become an institution that stages renowned exhibitions.
The Simone Handbag Museum opened in 2012 and is housed in a handbag-shaped building, called the Bagstage, in Seoul’s Gangnam District.
Its permanent display features 300 pieces dating from 1550, with the upper level showcasing historical design and the lower level dedicated to 20th-century and contemporary pieces, with an emphasis on Western design.
The Leiber Collection celebrates the life and work of designer and businesswoman Judith Leiber (1921-2018). Leiber was born in Budapest and became the first woman to join the Hungarian Handbag Guild, before moving to New York where she founded her business in 1963.
Known for her ornate crystal clutches in anthropomorphic and geometric shapes, Judith Leiber was one of the first designers to be extensively collected. Her creations are now in the permanent collections of the V&A, the Met, and the Smithsonian.