THEY WERE IMPOSSIBLE TO MISS: THOSE DRAMATIC WHITE DRESSES THAT BLOOMED ALL OVER THE SPRING/SUMMER 2020 RUNWAYS, EVOKING A CERTAIN SWEET NOSTALGIA. NO, IT’S NOT SO MUCH THEIR BRIDAL ASSOCIATION, BUT THAT THEY BROUGHT BACK THE ROMANCE OF OLD-SCHOOL COUTURE SHOWS THAT ALWAYS CLOSED WITH A MODEL IN A DREAMY, DECADENT VISION OF WHITE. YOU MIGHT OR MIGHT NOT HAVE A ROCK ON YOUR FINGER, BUT THAT’S NO LONGER THE ONLY REASON TO JOIN THE WHITE PARTY.
"Thom Browne, Richard Quinn, MM6"
"Burberry, Loewe, Moschino"
"Dries Van Noten, Alexander McQueen"
TEXT&COORDINA TION KENG YANG SHUEN BACKGROUND PHOTOS GETTY IMAGES
THE ULTIMATE “FUN PACK”
OUR CURATION OF SPRING/SUMMER 2020’S MUST-KNOW DESIGNER BAGS THAT EVERY SELF-RESPECTING STYLE STAR SHOULD STICK WITH
GUCCI’S 1955 HORSEBIT: The Italian label draws on the Horsebit saddle bag it debuted in Cruise 2020 and spins off new styles with the same elegant curves and vintage appeal – and double the fun. Playful additions include a monogrammed bowler stamped irreverently with the word “Boutique”, and leather hand-held luggage and backpacks in rich primary colours while the original ’70s-inspired saddle now comes in snakeskin with a contrasting trim. All sport the equestrian-inspired hardware from which the range gets its name.
MIU MIU’s MIU CONFIDENTIAL: This collection of feminine matelasse lambskin flap bags come literally with a twist this Spring/Summer 2020: hand-knotted shoulder straps in the same uber-soft leather that lend equal parts girlishness and cool.
CARTIER’S NANO GUIRLANDE DE CARTIER (top right and bottom left): Riding on the popularity of its one-of-a-kind, jewellery box-inspired shoulder bag that debuted last March, the French jeweller launches its smallest version yet (it’s about 19cm wide) with a detachable strap that only makes the style more hip and cuter.
TOD’s TIMELESS(second from top) : A smart and roomy ’70s-esque satchel made for today’s woman-on-the-go, this debut style is anchored by an archival T-shaped monogram clasp that defies decades with its architectural form, explaining the bag’s name.
SAINT LAURENT’S KAIA SATCHEL (bottom right): This new hands-free addition to Anthony Vaccarello’s growing cache of It bags comes in S and XS and a variety of finishes spanning plain vegetal leather to exotic skin – exactly what one needs to channel breezy, hippy rock ’n’ roll chic.
FENDI’S SUNSHINE SHOPPER: The Italian fashion house debuts a roomy, aptly named tote with tortoiseshell-patterned plexiglass handles and unexpectedly fun finishes like candy pink terry cloth, Pequin-striped jacquard and calfskin emblazoned with an oversized logo. Made for beach getaways, street style ops and everything in between.
CHANEL’S CHANEL 19: Three seasons after its Fall/Winter 2019 debut, this edgier, more casual yet no less sophisticated cousin of the brand’s signature 2.55 shoulder bag continues being updated with creative director Virginie Viard’s youthful Midas touch: washed denim as well as shiny candy-coloured lambskin.
BALENCIAGA’S HELLO KITTY VILLE: Basically when Demna Gvasalia goes kawaii. The range covers four leather goods styles – from a wallet to this hand-held bowler bag – all featuring the face and bow of Sanrio’s fictional mouth-less feline character. Those whiskers? They’re made from the shoelaces of the brand’s popular Triple S sneakers.
PRADA’S VITELLO INTRECCIO BUCKET BAG (left): Vitello is Italian for calfskin, intreccio – woven leather. What Mrs Prada left out in the name of this arty-meetssophisticated debut style: that the braided finish is done by hand and takes four hours to complete.
GIVENCHY’S ID93 (right): Clare Waight Keller leads the revival of the oversized clutch – so roomy and slouchy, it makes for a cool alternative for a day-to-night bag, complete with chic and thoughtful details such as a braided shoulder strap and XL leather pull. Options range from modern classic (single-toned nappa) to fashionably rustic (raffia).
LOEWE’S BALLOON: No prizes for guessing how this bucket bag got its name, but creative director JW Anderson deserves one for the clever concept that lends artful elegance and fun to one of the trendiest bag shapes in recent seasons. To create its distinct, organic shape, calf leather is used on the structured base while the body is made from supple, unlined nappa leather. PS. The M and L versions each boast two straps: a short one that lets it rest high on the shoulder and a long, adjustable one so that it can be worn across the body.
(Clockwise from top) HERMES’ CHAINE D’ANCRE: A statement-making cross between the now-trendy basket and a classic tote, this hand-held number is composed of individual leather links fashioned after the brand’s iconic anchor chain motif stitched together, reflecting Hermes’ artisanal leather-making prowess. Each one is accompanied by a silk pouch to keep contents safe.
LOUIS VUITTON’S CARRY IT: Nicolas Ghesquiere’s cheeky, elevated spin on the totes distributed at galleries and museums comes in monogrammed canvas with an ironic chic print of VHS tapes that alludes to the brand’s multi-era-inspired Spring/Summer 2020 show.
VALENTINO’S SUPERVEE : Easily the Italian label’s boldest take on a logo bag, juxtaposing metal hardware in the shape of an oversized “V” on a highlighter-hued mini shoulder bag – fun meets fashionable.
BURBERRY’S ANNE: The British brand debuts this grainy leather crossbody that takes inspiration from the equestrian world (cue the saddle-like shape and bridle strap) that all fans of discreet, minimalist chic would love.
DIOR’S 30 MONTA IGNE: Launched last May, this popular boxy shoulder bag got its first update during the Cruise 2020 season with the likes of a chain-and-leather strap, matte logo hardware and new textures (think braided or crinkled calfskin). Flash forward to this season and the facelift continues with metallic or iridescent leather.
CELINE’S MAILLON TRIOMPHE: To creative director Hedi Slimane, the well-loved French maison is a symbol of discreet, French bourgeois chic and his Spring/Summer 2020 additions to this range of bags introduced last year perfectly capture that cool je ne sais quoi: scarf or fringe-trimmed saddle bags, handy bucket bags with a masculine edge and a weekend-ready cabas in natural canvas, all distinguished by the brand’s double-C hardware that dates back to the ’70s.
TEXT & COORDINATION IMRAN JALAL DIGITAL IMAGING HISYAM A RAHMAN & ADELINE ENG
