Anatomy of a Bag: The Michael Kors Hamilton Moderne
Hypebae unpicks the design details behind the famous padlocked handbag.
When slouchy, larger-than-life handbags were all the craze in the noughties, Michael Kors’ Hamilton bag was at the forefront, seen on the arm of every stylist, model and in-the-know fashion enthusiast.
Shaped around vintage travel holdalls, the 2009-born tote entered the street style landscape with a distinctively boxy silhouette. Its roomy contents – featuring a number of internal pockets and slip-in compartments – made it the ideal companion for city slickers, holding everything needed for days at work and parties in the evening.
However, what makes the Hamilton really stand out is the padlocked fastening, hallmarked with the designer’s MK emblem. Where other bags in the market maintained an all-round polished look, the statement feature gave the Hamilton a uniquely casual edge that went on to influence Michael Kors’ other accessories at the time.
In the years since the first Hamilton debuted, the bag has continued to shine—and evolve. Most recently, the brand introduced the Hamilton Moderne. Boasting a refined structure while maintaining the original’s key components, the reimagined accessory comes with a sleek trim, expandable gusset and the famous belted lock. For Spring, it arrives in a sleek satchel style and a larger tote version, each coming in a handful of bold colorways as well as an open-weave iteration.
Discover the Hamilton Moderne in Hypebae’s latest Anatomy of a Bag video below.
The featured handbag is now available to shop on Michael Kors’ website and select boutiques worldwide.
