The Tales of 7 Iconic Handbags

In honor of National Handbag Day, let's take a look into how seven of the most legendary designer bags came to be!

The Dior Saddle Bag

The Christian Dior Saddle Bag, one of the most recognizable silhouettes in fashion history, was first introduced in 1999 by then creative director John Galliano for Dior’s Spring/Summer 2000 collection. Inspired by equestrian motifs, the bag’s unique, curved shape was designed to resemble a horse’s saddle, complete with a short strap meant to be worn snugly under the arm. It quickly became an early 2000s staple, seen on countless celebrities and in pop culture, solidifying its status as a must-have accessory. After fading from prominence for a time, the Saddle Bag made a powerful comeback in 2018 under Maria Grazia Chiuri creative direction of Dior. Chiuri reintroduced the iconic bag with updated materials, patterns, and sizes. Today, it remains a timeless symbol of the brand’s craftsmanship and its ability to blend nostalgia with contemporary style.

The Fendi Baguette

The Fendi Baguette bag, created in 1997 by Silvia Venturini Fendi, became one of the first true “it bags” of the modern fashion era. Its name and design were inspired by the way French women carry their baguettes, tucked effortlessly under the arm, which mirrored the bag’s slim, rectangular shape and short strap. Instantly embraced for its chic, compact design and endless variations in color, material, and embellishment, the Baguette captured the spirit of late ’90s fashion. Its pop culture fame skyrocketed when it appeared on Sex and the City, cementing its cult status thanks to Carrie Bradshaw. Over the years, the Baguette bag has been reimagined in countless forms-from beaded and embroidered versions to new sizes and collaborations-yet it continues to embody Fendi’s playful sophistication and knack for setting trends rather than following them.

The Louis Vuitton Neverfull Tote

The Louis Vuitton Neverfull tote, launched in 2007, was created to blend everyday practicality with the brand’s heritage of luxury travel. Designed in Louis Vuitton’s French ateliers, the tote lives up to its name-it’s remarkably spacious yet lightweight, able to hold a surprising amount without losing its shape (and still remaining stylish). Crafted from the brand’s iconic coated canvas and trademark monogram print, the Neverfull is both durable and elegant. From moms on-the-go to students on college campuses, this bag has never failed to go out of style. Over time, Louis Vuitton has released countless reinterpretations, from artist collaborations with Takashi Murakami and Yayoi Kusama to limited-edition seasonal prints. Today, the Neverfull remains one of the brand’s most enduring and best-selling designs—a perfect balance of timeless craftsmanship, versatility, and Parisian sophistication.

The Chanel Flap Bag

The Chanel Flap Bag is one of the most iconic handbags in fashion history, embodying the elegance and innovation of the house of Chanel. Its origins trace back to 1955, when Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel introduced the original 2.55 bag, a revolutionary design that liberated women from carrying handbags in their hands by featuring a shoulder strap, inspired by the straps on soldiers’ bags. The bag debuted with Chanel’s signature quilting, burgundy lining, and the now-famous Mademoiselle lock, symbolizing Coco’s independence. In the 1980s, the legendary Karl Lagerfeld reimagined the design, adding the interlocking CC turn-lock closure that has since become a hallmark of the brand. Over the decades, the Chanel Flap Bag has been produced in countless variations- which we're sure you've seen at Michael's-from classic lambskin, caviar leather, tweed, and exotic skins, and available in a range of sizes and colors. Despite these evolutions, its timeless silhouette and craftsmanship remain unchanged. 

The Gucci Bamboo Bag

The Gucci Bamboo bag, introduced in 1947, was born out of creativity during a time of postwar scarcity. In the aftermath of World War II, leather was in short supply, pushing Gucci’s artisans in Florence to experiment with alternative materials. They turned to Japanese bamboo, an abundant and durable resource to create a handle that became the bag’s defining feature. Artisans would heat and bend the handle by hand, and the bamboo was shaped into its iconic curve and polished with a glossy finish. The bag’s structured silhouette and unique bamboo handle made it an instant standout, soon carried by icons like Elizabeth Taylor and Princess Diana. Its legacy continues through reimagined versions like the Gucci Diana and Bamboo 1947, blending the brand's heritage with modern design. In recent years, the bag has even reappeared on screen, notably in HBO’s The White Lotus, where it perfectly complemented Parker Posey's quiet luxury aesthetic. Decades after its creation, the Gucci Bamboo bag remains a timeless emblem of Italian ingenuity and enduring style-proof that innovation often emerges from constraint.

The Celine Luggage Tote

Introduced in 2010 under the creative direction of the iconic Phoebe Philo, the Celine Luggage Tote quickly became one of the most recognizable and coveted handbags of the 2010s. With its distinctive architectural shape, winged sides, and minimalist yet structured design, the bag perfectly embodied Philo’s vision of modern, understated luxury. Almost immediately after its debut, the bag gained cult status, spotted on countless celebrities and style icons including Kim Kardashian, Reese Witherspoon, and Miranda Kerr. Its clean lines and sculptural form made it both a fashion statement and an everyday essential, appealing to women who valued both style and function. The Luggage Tote helped redefine Celine’s modern identity and sparked a wave of minimalist “it bags” across the industry. Even years after its peak hype, it remains a beloved icon of 2010s fashion and a testament to Phoebe Philo’s enduring influence on contemporary design.

The Hermes Birkin

The Hermès Birkin bag is perhaps the most famous and coveted handbag in the world, celebrated for its exclusivity, craftsmanship, and timeless elegance. Its story began in 1984, when actress and singer Jane Birkin happened to sit next to Hermès executive chairman Jean-Louis Dumas on a flight from Paris to London. As the story goes, Birkin mentioned her struggle to find a practical yet stylish weekend bag, inspiring Dumas to sketch a design on an airplane napkin, one that would become the now iconic Birkin bag. Handcrafted by a single artisan in France, each Birkin can take up to 40 hours to make, using only the finest leathers and meticulously hand-stitched details. Its structured silhouette, signature lock-and-key closure, and refined simplicity embody the pinnacle of luxury. With long waiting lists, limited availability, and ever-evolving materials and colors, the Hermès Birkin remains not just a handbag but a lasting representation of craftsmanship, exclusivity, and quiet sophistication. 

We are so excited to celebrate National Handbag Day with our amazing Michael's customers and consignors! Designer bags are the backbone of our business and we are so happy we've been able to give so many of these iconic designs new homes over the years. Click here to shop our current handbag inventory- you never know what you'll find!