Hermès Birkin. Lady Dior. Chanel 2.55. Fendi Baguette. Handbags and how they became a fashion icon, carried by celebrities from Princess Diana to Sarah Jessica Parker
- Handbags were used by men in medieval times to carry coins, but were later co-opted by women and came to dominate fashion in the 20th century
- From royalty to pop culture icons, It bags are synonymous with some of the most prominent women. Two fashion writers tell their stories
For The Love of Bags is part love letter to the accessory, part historical tome about how the handbag rose from its humble beginnings in medieval times to becoming the force that propelled brands to global dominance in the 1990s and beyond.
The lavishly photographed 224-page book is a lively and engaging read, laid out in English, German and French, and with chapters that delve into the genesis of the It bag, as well as smaller sections on micro bags and bum bags.
If you’ve ever wondered where the global obsession with the designer handbag comes from, this book will tell you.
Julia Werner and Sandra Semburg appear a well-qualified team. Werner is an author and style columnist who was deputy editor-in-chief of German Glamour magazine. Semburg has photographed Fashion Week street style for French Vogue.
Between them, they isolate the brands most associated with sought-after handbags, and give fun and sometimes tongue-in-cheek explanations as to why.
