We’ve all seen them, we all know them, we’ve all made 1001 attempts to save for one.

Yes, you’ve guessed right, I’m talking about the it-bag. They have become a true story on their own. Every season, when designers show their latest creations on the runway, there’s always one bag that stands out from all the rest. Add celebrities to the story and a whole lot of paparazzi shots, and the it-bag is born.

Come to think of it, celebrities have always been playing a huge part. How many fashion related sites are there, where we can see them out&about, holding their newest purchase? Handbags have always been some sort of a status symbol, so who better than some highly paid actress, to walk around with a very pricy, fine piece of leather?

It’s also a fact, that some bags come and go. There are some though, that have been there for a long time, and that are always coming back, every season. Let’s take a look at some of the most appreciated, most famous it-bags of our time:

Hermès Birkin: the leader of all it-bags. This bag is the most coveted bag amongst mortals, as it is the most widely recognisable. The endless waiting lists in the Hermès stores proves me right. Every year, we see another edition to the Birkin group, as they come in several types of leathers. Ostrich, snake, … you name it, they’ve done it. Remember the scene from Sex & The City, where Samantha made an attempt to get one, by acting as Lucy Liu’s agent?

Balenciaga City Motorcycle: A real winner among celebrities! This baby has been popular for almost ten years now, and the range of available colors seems endless. What I like most about the motorcycle, is the distressed leather that makes the bag very slouchy. It looks like it’s been used already and  doesn’t have that clean, tight, shiny, perfect leather like some bags have. The Balenciaga City model has multiple pockets, some tassels and is perfect as an everyday bag to carry around town or to work.

Louis Vuitton Speedy: Louis Vuitton itself calls this one ‘always in fashion’, as it is constantly updated and re-invented. Creative Director of the brand, Marc Jacobs, took LV to a new level by doing a lot of collaborations with people like Stephen Sprouse (remember the Speedy Graffiti?) and Takashi Murakami. Thanks to these artists, Louis Vuitton also attracted a younger public to buy the Speedy, that was in fact, known as the bag for a more classic, older customer.

Hermès Kelly: Another it-bag in the Hermès family. This bag wasn’t named the Kelly bag from the start, which was in the early 1930′s, but was renamed, after Grace Kelly tried to hide her pregnant stomach, with her favorite Hermès from photographers. Since then, the picture was published everywhere. Her celebrity status and influence took care of everything: the bag became a true icon, and the house renamed the shape the Kelly.

Yves Saint Laurent Muse: Probably the most famous bag in the YSL collection. When you like a elegant, yet very logo-free bag, then you’ll love this one. The Muse was recently re-issued, and features the lock, some very simple lines and of course, the Y shape stitched in the front. I think the bag is also perfect for using during the day.

Chanel 2.55: My eternal love, my most precious wish. The 2.55 refers to the date, the bag was introduced for the first time by Miss Coco Chanel herself. (february 1955)  In 2005, it was Karl Lagerfeld who launched the ‘re-issue’, to celebrate the bag’s 50th anniversary. The lock, also known as the ‘ Mademoiselle Lock ‘, remains the same. What I like about this Chanel piece, is the very personal touch given to it. For example, the small compartment on the inside of the front flap, where Coco used to hide her love letters, when she was having an affair. Comes in different sizes, colors and fabrics, and has been seen in a wide variety of themes. (British flag, valentine edition, flower-theme, rainbow color-theme, …)

Givenchy Nightingale: A mix of different skins, removable shoulderstrap and a very slouchy feeling makes this the perfect everybag bag according to myself.  The fact that it’s very roomy is also a positive thing, knowing that most of us carry their whole household with them. The bag is very simple, but it doesn’t always have to be all glitters and logos. Givenchy brings new colors every season.

Personally, I’m coveting the Chanel 2.55 the most, but I’m still looking for a very nice vintage one. I like the fact it’s been used and carried on from one person to another.

Which is yours?

More info : http://www.hermes.com * http://www.balenciaga.com * http://www.louisvuitton.com * http://www.yvessaintlaurent.com * http://www.chanel.com * http://www.givenchy.com *

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