MULBERRY’S MODERN TWISTS

Launching a brand-new label has never been a simple task, particularly with the volume of heritage fashion houses to compete with. But rather than attempting to eclipse the industry giants from Paris or Milan, Roger Saul stuck to his vision of creating pieces that last – and that champion homegrown craftspeople. Mulberry is currently the largest manufacturer of luxury leather goods in the UK, making over 50% of its bags in Somerset where the brand was born. Although there may have been temptation to relocate or reconsider processes with the growth of the Mulberry brand, it has remained consistent in its values and how its origin story translates to its designs. 

There’s a unique kind of appeal when the history of a brand is evident through to the modern day; where the spirit and vision of the original founder is still referenced and reimagined decades on. Mulberry is a label that has managed to do this consistently, which is what keeps its customers always coming back for more – and being interested in what’s next. 

Alexa Chung has the Midas touch. You can guarantee anything she’s spotted in will sweep trend cycles almost instantly, so it’s no surprise that her penchant for Mulberry bags played a part in the brand’s widespread success around its 40^th birthday. In the early 2010s, Chung was frequently spotted with a Bayswater in tow – often adorned with charms and softening around the edges from consistent wear. It wasn’t long before the already popular tote silhouette became even more desirable as a result. 

But Alexa’s fondness for the Bayswater wasn’t created in a vacuum – Kate Moss sported one when off-duty back in 2004, and just like that it had supermodel approval. Both fashion icons demonstrated that Mulberry was about more than practical and spacious handbags; it was a brand that understood the needs of a modern woman with a refined edge.  

Whilst the bags are certainly Mulberry’s bread and butter, the clothes deserve some attention too – particularly if you ask the Princess of Wales. She has been seen wearing at least a dozen different Mulberry bags since joining the Royal Family, but she has also worn dresses, coats, and jewellery from the label too. From the Harlow to the Amberley, Princess Catherine can’t get enough of the petite top-handle shapes, with long wool coats coming in close second. Given the brand’s history and nod to rural-city-hybrid living, it makes for a natural addition to her wardrobe. 

What keeps Mulberry omnipresent in the industry is its consistent ability to reinvent itself without losing its irreplaceable heritage. It operates on a rigid ‘if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it’ mentality, retaining its bestselling bag silhouettes and modernising them through fabric or colour. Take the Alexa, which has been reimagined in crinkly metallics, snake print, and smooth suedes to keep up with customer tastes. Or look to the Roxanne, which has been brought out in a seasonal royal purple for autumn 2026.  

Overtaking the zeitgeist now is the XL Delilah, leaning into the oversized flap silhouette that couture brands can’t seem to get enough of. But rather than feeling like a trend-led addition to Mulberry’s arsenal, the squared-off shoulder bag boasts facets of the brand’s longest-serving designs with a nod to contemporary tastes. Whilst it fits in with the current market, it could also easily be a style from the 70s.  

It only makes sense, then, that Mulberry has found itself under the control of Christopher Kane – a Scottish designer whose vision has always felt ahead of its time. 

Christopher Kane launched his namesake label back in 2006 and collaborated with high street giant Topshop in the same year. By 2007 he had a partnership with Manolo Blahnik, and come 2008 a lip gloss with Lancôme. One thing was becoming clear: Kane was the designer to watch. But despite a series of very successful collections over the next decade, the Christopher Kane brand shut down in 2023 – but this was far from the end for its founder. 

Kane was appointed as the new creative director of Mulberry in 2026, with his debut collection showing at London Fashion Week in September. This was also Mulberry’s first runway show since 2017. In the weeks following, the label has scarcely left the lips of fashion editors and fans.  

Kane’s unique ability for nurturing and enhancing a brand’s signature has been evident since the beginning of his career, with his unique understanding of British fashion translating into every creative decision. Although Mulberry may be seen as the polished, gentler counterpart to Kane’s party girl-esque eponymous brand, the two share the same distinct sense of identity and adaptability. 

The S/S27 runway was packed full of staple Mulberry classics with a very Christopher Kane twist – embossed leather bags, maxi coats, baggy floor-skimming trousers, and tiny miniskirts with elevated cutouts. The natural synergy was there – and the heritage house is clearly in safe hands with whatever comes next.