10 Iconic Designer It-Bags We Loved in the 2010s
From Phoebe Philo’s Céline Luggage, to Jacquemus’ itty-bitty Le Chiquito.
While fashion trends seem to come and go faster than one could keep up with, one thing has remained constant throughout the 2010s: designer It-bags, no matter their size or form, have continued to be a wardrobe staple for many style enthusiasts. Whether it’s the Phoebe Philo-designed Céline Luggage tote, or the teeny-tiny Jacquemus Le Chiquito that helped fuel the micro bag trend, a handbag can often say a lot about the personality of its wearer.
As the decade draws to a close, we’re looking back on 10 of the most iconic designer bag releases that defined each year of 2010s fashion.
While you’re here, peep some of the most sought-after street style items of this era.
2010: Céline Luggage
Launched in 2010, the Luggage bag was the first of the many It-bags that Philo designed for Céline. The top handle tote, affectionately nicknamed by some as the “robot face bag,” immediately flew off the shelves when it first releaseed, and was frequently spotted on the arms of models and Fashion Week attendees in New York and Paris.
2011: Chanel Boy Bag
Created by the late Karl Lagerfeld as part of the Parisian house’s Fall/Winter 2011 collection, the Chanel Boy bag is a tribute to Gabrielle Chanel’s first love, English polo player Boy Capel. Designed in the same vein as Chanel’s original collections, which made use of men’s underwear to craft dresses, the Boy features a sturdy construction reminiscent of a hunter’s cartridge bag, and is completed with chunky chains.
2012: Givenchy Antigona
During his tenure at Givenchy, Riccardo Tisci dreamed up the Antigona, named after Antigone, a strong-willed female figure in Greek mythology. From Rihanna to Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, celebrities and trendsetters adored the structured and practical everyday bag.
2013: Mansur Gavriel Bucket Bag
Arriving with a price tag of $595 USD, Mansur Gavriel‘s signature Bucket Bag quickly won the hearts of fashion lovers as the new affordable designer It-bag. With its huge success around the globe, the minimalist silhouette has been reworked in a myriad of materials and colors ranging from pastel pink to the brand’s Flamma red.
2014: Louis Vuitton Petite Malle
Perhaps the most talked-about bag in 2014, the Louis Vuitton Petite Malle was the go-to Fashion Week accessory of street style stars and editors alike. Debuted in Nicolas Ghesquière‘s first collection for the luxury fashion house, the monogrammed mini-trunk can be carried as a clutch, or worn as a crossbody bag with its removable shoulder strap.
2015: Loewe Puzzle Bag
Among the many handbags that Jonathan Anderson has designed for Loewe, the Puzzle is probably the bestseller. Since reaching cult status, the now-ubiquitous arm candy has seen numerous new iterations, including mini versions of the bag that released in Spring/Summer 2019.
2016: Gucci GG Marmont
First spotted in Alessandro Michele‘s Fall/Winter 2016 show for Gucci, the GG Marmont shoulder bag would go on to become one of the most popular handbags of the decade. Characterized by its quilted body and antique-like interlocking GG logo, the bag would later inspire a number of other Gucci designs, including the beloved Marmont belt bag and backpacks.
2017: Off-White™ Binder Clip Bag
When we first saw Off-White™’s Binder Clip Bag, we knew it would become a hit. The unconventionally cool bag, featuring Virgil Abloh‘s distinctive Industrial Strap and a unique office clip closure, became a must-have item for the fashion crowd almost instantaneously when it dropped.
2018: Jacquemus Le Chiquito
One simply can’t discuss 2010s fashion without talking about Jacquemus’ Le Chiquito. While the statement-making mini bag may not fit much, it’s mighty enough to have launched a 1,000 memes on Instagram. Needless to say, the bag is perpetually sold out at stockists.
2019: Bottega Veneta The Pouch
One of Daniel Lee‘s first creations for Bottega Veneta, The Pouch rose to It-bag status overnight when it released in Spring 2019. Equally sophisticated and versatile, the clutch bag has even earned Lee Accessories Designer of the Year at the 2019 British Fashion Awards.
