How the Coperni Swipe Became the It Bag of the Early 2020s
A brief timeline of how the Parisian brand’s signature purse went viral.
Arnaud Vaillant and Sébastien Meyer, who tied the knot last fall, are the brains behind the Parisian label Coperni and its viral Swipe Bag. The silhouette has become one of the hottest accessories of the 2020s so far, being spotted on style gurus like Dua Lipa, Doja Cat and Kylie Jenner.
Now offered in multiple variations such as the Ring Swipe, Mini Swipe, Baguette Swipe and Melted Swipe, the handbag was first introduced in the duo’s Fall/Winter 2019 collection. Over the past couple of years, the purse became a Coperni signature, with inspiration from futuristic elements that are also seen in the label’s garments. The Swipe’s shape resembles the iPhone‘s swipe-to-unlock function and has become a favorite not only for its recognizable shape, but also for its accessible price (it ranges from $390 to $790 USD, depending on the style).
Having built a cult following since its initial launch, the Swipe has now marked another buzzy fashion moment, thanks to Coperni’s glassware collaboration with rising brand Heven. With an official release reportedly on the way, the glass bags — priced at $2,700 USD — were spotted at multiple red carpet events such as the Grammys.
Continue scrolling to see how the Swipe became the It-bag of the early 2020s.
2013: Coperni Femme launches.
Vaillant and Meyer launched Coperni Femme, naming their brand after the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus.
2015 – 2017: Meyer and Vaillant join Courrèges.
Monica Feudi/Indigital.tv
Just two years into launching Coperni Femme, Meyer and Vaillant won the ANDAM Prize and were finalists for the LVMH Prize. In 2015, the duo was appointed creative directors for the return of Courrèges, leading them to put Coperni Femme on hold.
2019: The relaunch of Coperni.
Following their time at Courrèges, the pair returned to their label, relaunching as Coperni at Paris Fashion Week in early 2019. “It was an important moment in our story, as well as a chapter that was unfinished for our community and for us,” they said in a statement at the time.
2019: The Swipe Bag makes its debut in Coperni’s FW19 collection.
Coperni
The Swipe Bag made its grand debut during the FW19 season through a campaign starring Hanne Gaby Odiele and Teddy Quinlivan. Shot by Julien Martinez Leclerc, the visuals spotlighted the handbag inspired by iPhone’s swipe-to-unlock function. The Swipe marked one of Coperni’s first It-bags, being loved for its recognizable shape in addition to its affordable price point.
When asked if they intended to make the Swipe an It-bag, Vaillant told British Vogue: “No, it came naturally. Sébastien comes up with the ideas and we found the right manufacturer in Italy with the best material. Their shapes are inspired by the symbols of technology, such as Bluetooth, ‘swipe’ or ‘wifi.’”
2020: The Swipe is Dua Lipa-approved.
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The Swipe officially reached It-bag status as style gurus like Dua Lipa began wearing the accessory with their everyday outfits.
2021: Maisie Williams shares her take on the Swipe in a new collaboration.
Gorka Postigo/Coperni
Coperni launched its first-ever collaboration with Maisie Williams, updating its signature handbag lineup with vegan apple leather versions. An update from the original design, the silhouette came with perforations all over, allowing for customization with five metal pins inspired by fruits. Some referred to this collaboration as the “Crocs of handbags” for the customizable pins reminiscent of Jibbitz.
2021: Lyst names Coperni as one of the 2022 Brands to Watch.
Coperni was named one of the 2022 Brands to Watch in Lyst‘s annual Year in Fashion report. Other designers on the list included Conner Ives, Peter Do and ERL.
2022: Coperni debuts Heven glassware collaboration on its FW22 runway.
Coperni
For Fall/Winter 2022, Coperni tapped New York-based brand Heven to create glass versions of the Swipe. Helmed by Peter Dupont and Breanna Box, the rising label created three blown glass iterations, one being a completely transparent design with horns on the handles.
2022: The Heven collab is picked up by Doja Cat and Kylie Jenner.
Jeff Kravitz/Filmmagic, @kyliejenner
Following the FW22 runway, the glass bags were picked up by stylists and celebrities, taking the red carpet on Doja Cat and Tinashe at the Grammys, and Kylie Jenner at a press event for Hulu‘s The Kardashians. These fashion moments have brought another wave of the Swipe Bag as fans wait to get their hands on the glassware iterations.
