Model Kendall Jenner is seen in Tribeca on July 26, 2017 in New York City. Getty
Kendall Jenner has her pick of the industry’s most covetable It bags, but the reality TV star has fallen in love with Louis Vuitton’s Alma BB model.
Originally introduced by the French fashion house in 1934, the miniature top handle bag features the brand’s signature monogrammed canvas, padlock, and a bonus strap for hands-free ease. Though other Louis Vuitton handbags have been given a makeover under the creative eye of Nicholas Ghesquière, the Alma remains one of the pedigree bag styles of the brand. Why mess with an icon, right?
This is how to style your new-season handbag now. If you’re feeling inspired, shop the Vogue Arabia edit of the best neutral bags for high summer here:
Just this week alone, Jenner has toted her ladylike Vuitton three times in New York (unheard of in celebville). She even took it to the gym. As the e-commerce site says, the not-so-roomy interior holds just keys, a wallet, smartphone, and lipstick, we can’t imagine why her padlocked pal had to accompany the model to a personal training session. Granted the Alma BB does add a certain feminine flair to her leggings and yellow Stella McCartney jacket.
Model Kendall Jenner is seen in Tribeca on July 26, 2017 in New York City. Getty
Jenner is not the only celebrity – or indeed her family – to have pledged her allegiance to old-school accessories of late. Earlier this month, Kim Kardashian was spotted sporting one of Prada’s top-handle, computer bags. The industrial nylon accessories were born in the Eighties after the success of Miuccia Prada’s black canvas rucksacks, and like the Alma bag, still hold cult status.
The fashion desk edits the statement bags to tote around (that are high-impact):
Bow top-handle bag
The latest member of Gucci’s bag family is crafted from supple leather and features a grosgrain bow pierced with a bronze tiger head, and the word “Future” in bold typography.
US $:2980
AED/SAR:10944
Boy Chanel handbag in metallic lambskin, LED, and silver-tone metal
Karl Lagerfeld gave the cool Boy bag a tech upgrade with LED lights that flash the double-interlocking C logo.
Price upon request
Hammock leather tote
Bathed in a striking royal blue hue, this staple bag’s elongated shape has expandable sides and a roomy interior.
US $:1787
AED/SAR:6565
Nile Minaudière small cross-body bag
Bring a touch a bohemian glamour to your collection with Chloé’s new crossbody silhouette that features a bracelet for a handle.
US $:1925
AED/SAR:3765
Mini pierce bag
Pink is the new neutral for handbags and this J.W. Anderson mini shoulder bag, with its signature pierce detail, is the bag to shoulder on rotation for spring.
US $:1480
AED/SAR:5435
Love blade embroidered shoulder bag
Plucked from Valentino’s The Garden of Earthly Delights-inspired collection, the shoulder bag is reimagined with crystal embellished blade motifs in a pink and red palette.
US $:3645
AED/SAR:13386
Tan Falabella box wicker medium shoulder bag.
The signature Falabella gets raw and rustic for Spring 2017 with a structured wicker design.
US $:1140
AED/SAR:4186
Dome belt bag
The DDFC/Vogue Fashion Prize 2016 accessories winner offers a minimal take on the brand’s signature Dome bag. Crafted from leather, the silhouette comes with an adjustable strap that can be shouldered or worn around the waist.
US $:525
AED/SAR:1930
Hex medium paneled leather tote
Elevated with thick stitching and diagonal panels, the braided-handle tote features a spacious interior and sturdy base.
US $:1495
AED/SAR:5490
Jewel ribbon flap shoulder bag
The boxy compact silhouette is styled with a thick ribbon-inspired flap and a geometric, crystal-encrusted buckle that brings a touch of glamour.
US $:2840
AED/SAR:10430
Dolly small leather tote
The romantic rose print gets a rock ‘n’ roll edge through stud accents.
US $:1316
AED/SAR:4836
Tressage tote
Creative director Nicolas Ghesquière reimagined the iconic Alma and Locket in a new silhouette featuring a structured shape, woven details and a tri-color neutral palette.
Price upon request
Flap bag with slot
For her first outing as creative director, Maria Grazia Chiuri dreamed up strong shoulder bags complete with thick knuckle cuffs that spell out Dior in chunky metal lettering.
Price upon request
What’s interesting is that while brand logos are revamped under the reign of new creative directors, it’s the original ones, like Louis Vuitton’s monogramming and Prada’s triangle Milano stamp, that hold court. The simple models don’t fall prey to the inflated price tags that modern It bags, which are brands’ bread-and-butter, currently do so. Jenner’s Alma BB retails for AED/SAR 4027, in comparison to the recent Louis Vuitton Twist handbags, which cost upwards of AED/SAR 10612.
Who would have thought the Kardashians would emerge as vintage fashion pin-ups, rather than consistent models of the next-big-thing?
