Elite Traveler Summer 2021

INSPIRE 20TH ANNIVERSARY GUIDE TO RESPONSIBLE LUXURY

Accessories

Think of timeless designer handbags, and you’ll often think of vintage styles. Not wrong by any means, but a number of iconic designs have actually made a name for themselves since the turn of the 21st century, reaching the very same iconic status as their predecessors in just two short decades. Daniel Lee’s short but impactful tenure at Bottega Veneta has reinvented the brand’s DNA in only three years to produce some of the most sought-after cult accessories in recent years, with everyone from influencers, to celebrities, to fashion editors scrambling to get a piece of the luxury house’s hero pieces. Elsewhere, brands are talking about sustainability more than ever before, so it is no surprise that the industry has its eyes on those making moves in that area. Hermès’s announcement that it would remake a beloved style in mushroom-based leather marked a big moment for the traditional leather goods brand and presents the question: Who else might follow suit in the future? Here, we take a look at the most showstopper pieces to emerge in the last two decades and those that truly stand the test of time, as we look excitedly to the future.

by Orla Pentelow

Mulberry Soft Small Bayswater in light salmon, $1,095, mulberry.com

MULBERRY

BAYSWATER The Bayswater, named after the upmarket, leafy area of London, was one of the first Mulberry hero styles to break out of the label’s Somerset roots and venture into big-city living at the turn of the 21st century with its briefcase style and instantly recognizable postman’s lock fitting. Then-creative director Nicholas Knightly, who joined Mulberry in 2002, quickly identified the brand’s heritage appeal, and set out to create a timeless handbag that married the brand’s rural countryside DNA with modern living. The Bayswater became an instant hit. Waiting lists grew and an icon was born. While the Bayswater’s key features, rumored to have been inspired by Princess Anne, are still recognizable today (shoulder-sized handles, a postman’s lock, metal feet and adjustable side straps), each successive creative director has reinvented the style to keep it fresh in the two decades since its 2003 launch: Stuart Vevers adapted the Bayswater to suit his designer collaborations; Emma Hill experimented with mirrored gold leather; and the Bayswater became the starting point for many of Mulberry’s subsequent It bags, including the Alexa and the Lily. The British bag maker even debuted an adorable miniature range of its cult totes in honor of its 50th anniversary this year, including a mini Bayswater in all-new colorways.

Mulberry Bayswater in Mulberry green, $1,300, mulberry.com