THE IT LIST:

INTRODUCING THE IT BAGS OF 2023

Drumroll, please. These were THE bags of the year. C/o Givenchy, Valentino, Jacquemus and more.

WORDS: MARNI ROSE MCFALL

Every year along comes a collection of handbags that are truly special. They start appearing on the shoulders of the fashion set, taking over our Instagram feeds and being touted by the créme de la créme of the fashion scene. They command year-long waiting lists and faster than you can blink sell-outs, and 2023 was no exception. Amidst a gold mine of viral fashion moments, zingy zeitgeist-ready collections and show-stealing celebrity looks were a selection of season-defining It bags. Drumroll, please. We’re delighted to introduce you to the It bags of 2023. The names to know? The Voyou, the Pouchette, the Bambino et al, coming at you from Givenchy, Valentino, Jacquemus and more.

1. THE GIVENCHY VOYOU

The fashion world is currently reeling from the news that Matthew M. Williams is leaving Givenchy next year. And while we all wait to see what’s next for the Parisian powerhouse and who’ll be the next creative director of Givenchy, we’re looking back at their greatest hits… Like the Voyou Bag. First debuted as part of the brand’s AW23 womenswear collection, it instantly captured the attention of the fashion set, thanks in no small part to the clever detailing like the subtle logo, sleek chain and buckles. And this iteration in a bold, grassy absinthe green is a) the best in the business and b) the chicest way to get your greens in.

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2. THE JACUEMUS BAMBINO

I scream, you scream, we all scream for Jacquemus. It’s been a big year for the brand. From being named the ninth hottest name in fashion (Lyst), to casting Gigi Hadid as the star of their Le Chou Chou campaign, to getting David Beckham to row – yes, row – Victoria out to their SS24 show, to their viral virutal brand campaign which sent supersized Bambino bags on wheels down the streets of Paris. Really, it’s no surprise that said Bambino bag is one of the It bags of 2023. They’re sleek, they’re chic, they’re oh, so French and they’re available in every colour of the rainbow. Our favourite? This chocolate brown iteration. Delicious. Simone, we salute you.

3. THE BOTTEGA VENETA POUCHETTE

After the roaring success of Bottega Veneta’s recent runway collections, the rise of quiet luxury dressing and the fact that Rihanna and A$AP Rocky have developed a newfound love for the Italian powerhouse (the pair have contributed to a 35% rise in interest in the brand since March according to Lyst), you might wonder how Matthieu Blazy could possibly tighten his grip on the fashion world…. But he did just that with the Baguette Pochette. Tapping into one of the key trends du jour (i.e. shimmering metallics) the Pochette combines a classic silhouette with the brand’s cult Intrecciato weave and an glimmering hit of glitzy, glossed up gold. Basically, it was born to be an It bag.

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4. THE VALENTINO GARAVANI SHOULDER BAG

Come on Barbie, let’s join the Valentino army. We don’t need to tell you how hot, hot pink was this year, thanks to the release of a certain film by Greta Gerwig. And our appetite for the hue that’s hotter than hell is going absolutely nowhere. Case in point: the Valentino Garavani Rockstud Shoulder bag in vicious Valentino pink is everything. Elevating a staple square silhouette with the cult pink PP colourway, the bag is equal parts cult and classic, making it a season-defining piece you must be seen with. Plus, thanks to the stud detailing, gold hardware and timeless silhouette, it’s got longevity well beyond the lifespan of Barbie’s party.

1. THE ALEXANDER MCQUEEN BIKER BAG

Question: how do you make a biker bag feel a bit more, well, biker? Answer: you cover it in denim. In 2023, denim evolved from being the reserve of our jeans to being the fabric of an It bag. And who better to tap into the trend than the patron saints of all things dark and grungy, Alexander McQueen? Their Denim Biker Bag quickly rose through the ranks to achieve It fashion status. Why you ask? It’s the killer combination of the deep dark denim colouring, sleek silver studs, a low-key logo embossed at the back and the signature skull emblem to finish.

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