K-pop idol IU’s choice of arm candy? Gucci classics: 4 of her most coveted bags, from the equestrian-inspired Horsebit 1955 and Bamboo 1947 to the Sylvie 1969 and Jackie 1961, named for Jackie Kennedy
South Korean singer and actress IU, born Lee Ji-eun, is hailed in her home country as the “nation’s little sister” and continues to make headlines to this day.
At the start of the year, she and actor Lee Jong-suk were named Dispatch’s New Year Couple for 2023, as the two were revealed to be in a relationship after years of friendship.
Recently, the 29-year-old star also made fashion news for fronting Gucci’s campaigns as one of the house’s global ambassadors, per Soompi, after having signed with them back in 2020.
The multitalented idol remains a formidable force in both the entertainment and fashion world. And while IU can definitely rock colourful and over-the-top looks from the brand, she also gravitates back to the classics … as with her bags.
Let’s take a look at her bag collection and the history behind the styles she owns …
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1. The Gucci Horsebit 1955
The vintage style has seen a variety of iterations, many of which are proudly owned and carried by IU. At the Twinsburg fashion show at Milan Fashion Week spring/summer 2023, the idol wore a suit paired with the Horsebit 1955 mini top handle bag in beige and white GG supreme canvas, which retails for US$2,390 on its website.
Her Instagram updates and airport fashion also offer clues into her Horsebit collection: she also appears to own the mini bag in GG supreme monogram canvas with a brown leather trim that comes with two strap options, the black and butter bucket bag version, the mini bag in black leather with a chain and leather strap, the small top handle bag in black leather, and the shoulder bag in beige canvas, to name just a few.
2. The Gucci Bamboo 1947
In post-war 1947, when materials such as leather were scarce, the house’s Florentine artisans took a chance on using bamboo for the bag’s handle, states the Gucci website. The bag’s bamboo handle was curved through the use of fire and has since become an emblem of the brand, currently priced at US$4,200.
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The K-pop star herself carried the small top handle version in white while attending the Gucci Garden Archetypes event last year. In 2021, she was spotted toting an edgy-looking, music-themed version of the Bamboo 1947 when she dropped by the Gucci 100 Collection pop-up store in Seoul.
3. The Gucci Sylvie 1969
IU’s is the mini top handle version in patent black leather, a great LBB (little black bag). A version of Sylvie 1969 even made a cameo in her 2019 drama, Hotel del Luna.
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4. The Gucci Jackie 1961
One of IU’s recent Instagram posts revealed her covetable mini Gucci Jackie 1961 in yellow leather, a design that definitely matches her cute and sunny personality. She’s been spotted with the medium shoulder bag version of the Jackie 1961 as well, which retails for about US$2,850, per the brand’s website.
- IU wore a stunning Gucci crew neck gown at the Cannes Film Festival last year, but her handbag collection is even more impressive, from the Horsebit 1955 to the Jackie 1961, named after Jackie Kennedy
- The 29-year-old ‘nation’s little sister’ and girlfriend of Lee Jong-suk has been the brand’s Korean ambassador since 2020 – and even wore the Sylvie 1969 in her 2019 K-drama Hotel del Luna