Vogue's Guide to Iconic Saint Laurent Handbags from Mombasa to Icare
Vogue published a comprehensive guide to Saint Laurent handbags, tracing the house's accessory evolution from Yves Saint Laurent's early indifference to bags to Anthony Vaccarello's modern power player status. Key models include the Mombasa (2002, revived 2026), Amalia (spring 2026), Le 5 à 7 (2021), Sac de Jour (2013), Icare Maxi (2022), Jamie (2018, updated 2022), Voltaire (2023), Le 37 (2023), Y Line (2024), Niki (2018), Loulou (2017), and Gaby (2021). Historical context notes that Saint Laurent focused on jewelry over handbags, with early bags made by suppliers using exotic materials. Jane Birkin modeled a Saint Laurent bag in 1969. The guide highlights Vaccarello's revivals and new designs, emphasizing the house's shift toward handbag prominence.
Key facts
- Yves Saint Laurent presented his first haute couture collection in March 1958 at age 21.
- Saint Laurent was born in Oran, Algeria, and studied at École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture in Paris.
- He created iconic designs including le smoking, safari jacket, sheer blouse, pea coat, and Mondrian dress.
- The Mombasa bag was introduced by Tom Ford for spring 2002 and revived by Anthony Vaccarello for spring 2026.
- The Amalia bag was introduced by Anthony Vaccarello for spring 2026.
- The Le 5 à 7 bag was introduced in spring 2021, named after the 1962 film Cléo from 5 to 7.
- The Sac de Jour was launched in 2013 during Hedi Slimane's tenure.
- The Icare Maxi Shopping Bag was introduced in 2022 and worn by Zoë Kravitz, Hailey Bieber, and Angelina Jolie.
- The Jamie bag was originally introduced in 2018 and reimagined for winter 2022, named after Jamie Bochert.
- The Voltaire bag was introduced in 2023.
- The Le 37 bag was introduced in summer 2023.
- The Y Line was introduced in 2024, reviving the 1970s 'Y' motif.
- The Niki bag was introduced in spring/summer 2018, first seen in an ad campaign with Kate Moss.
- The Loulou bag was introduced in 2017, named after Loulou de la Falaise.
- The Gaby bag was launched in 2021.
Entities
Artists
- Yves Saint Laurent
- Anthony Vaccarello
- Tom Ford
- Hedi Slimane
- Jane Birkin
- Kate Moss
- Loulou de la Falaise
- Jamie Bochert
- Zoë Kravitz
- Hailey Bieber
- Angelina Jolie
- Rihanna
- Madame Leroux
- Madame Perrin
- Patrick Mauriès
Institutions
- Saint Laurent
- Dior
- Hermès
- Vogue
- École de la Chambre Syndicale de la Couture
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Oran
- Algeria
- Mombasa
- Kenya
- Left Bank
- Rive Gauche