Handbags

Out with the minis and in with the oversized. Street stylers were looking for practicality when it came to their bags at the fall 2023 shows. The real fashion month winner was a multitasking tote that can fit your work computer, your plus-sized iPhone, an extra pair of shoes, and even a quick change of clothes for the cameras. For a statement-making look, try out a Jackie bag with some grommet detailing—just make sure that nothing small slips out of it. Duffels, clutches, and baguettes were among the other show-season go-tos.
For more of the best street style photos of the fall 2023 season, be sure to follow along as our Street Style Trend Tracker tags the best looks from outside the shows.
Tote-ally Practical
Paris, fall 2023 ready-to-wear. Photo: Phil Oh
London, fall 2023 ready-to-wear. Photo: Phil Oh
Shouldering On
London, fall 2023 ready-to-wear. Photo: Phil Oh
London, fall 2023 ready-to-wear. Photo: Phil Oh
Milan, fall 2023 ready-to-wear. Photo: Phil Oh
London, fall 2023 ready-to-wear. Photo: Phil Oh
Paris, fall 2023 ready-to-wear. Photo: Phil Oh
Denim Candy
Paris, fall 2023 ready-to-wear. Photo: Phil Oh
Milan, Fall 2023 ready-to-wear. Photo: Phil Oh
Milan, fall 2023 ready-to-wear. Photo: Phil Oh
Paris, fall 2023 ready-to-wear. Photo: Phil Oh
Hole Lotta Love
Milan, fall 2023 ready-to-wear. Photo: Phil Oh
Milan, fall 2023 ready-to-wear. Photo: Phil Oh
London, fall 2023 ready-to-wear. Photo: Phil Oh
Paris, fall 2023 ready-to-wear. Photo: Phil Oh
Clutch All
Milan, fall 2023 ready-to-wear. Photo: Phil Oh
Milan, fall 2023 ready-to-wear. Photo: Phil Oh
Milan, fall 2023 ready-to-wear. Photo: Phil Oh
Paris, fall 2023 ready-to-wear. Photo: Phil Oh
Milan, fall 2023 ready-to-wear. Photo: Phil Oh
Paris, fall 2023 ready-to-wear. Photo: Phil Oh
Speedys of the Essence
Photo: Phil Oh
New York, fall 2023 ready-to-wear. Photo: Phil Oh
Originally published in Vogue.com
Read Next: 25 Of The Best New Perfumes To Fall In Love With This Year

Joseph Lau, one of Hong Kong’s most prominent property developers, is selling his rare handbag collection through Sotheby’s via an online auction from Monday to Feb. 9. It will be followed by a second installment of bags in July.
The first batch of 77 rare bags, which Lau acquired over the past two decades, is valued at 16.3 million Hong Kong dollars, or $2 million. Part of the sale proceeds will go to charity, Sotheby’s revealed.

Touted as the largest single-owner handbag sale in Asia, the lot includes a shearling Teddy Kelly 35 and a So Black Kelly 35, both from the Jean-Paul Gaultier era at Hermès, circa 2004 to 2010.

Related Galleries

There is also a rare bespoke multicolored Fringe Birkin 35 in red leather, as well as six diamond Birkins of various sizes in blue jean, matte, electric blue, red, violet and fuchsia.

The blue jean shiny croc Bikin 25 with 18-karat white gold and diamond hardware is valued between 1 million and 2 million Hong Kong dollars, or $127,000 to $254,800, and is the priciest item on offer. The rest of the diamond Birkins are valued between 400,000 and 700,000 Hong Kong dollars, or $50,960 to $89,180.

Hermès Limited Edition Bronze Chèvre Metallic Kelly 25 Sellier Gold Hardware, 2005

Sotheby’s

Other prized pieces in the auction include a Rose Bonbon mini Kelly 20, an Orange Kelly Doll and a Bronze Metallic Kelly 25, which according to Sotheby’s was only in production between 2004 to 2005. The color of the bag was inspired by the window displays designed by Leïla Menchari for the Hermès flagship store at Rue du Faubourg Saint-Honoré in Paris. The Metallic Kelly bag is valued between 400,000 to 600,000 Hong Kong dollars, or $50,960 to $76,440.

Morgane Halimi, global head of handbags and accessories, said, “The limited-edition pieces that have made and shaped the history of handbags in the past two decades can all be found in this collection.”

With a net worth of $13.6 billion, according to Forbes, Lau is the former chairman of property developer Chinese Estates. He is best known by the public in Hong Kong for love affairs with several high-profile actresses in the past two decades, which often involved gifting rare bags and high jewelry as proof of affection.

He has been married to former showbiz journalist Kimbee Chan since 2016. They have two children.

In 2017, Lau transferred 75 percent of his shares in Chinese Estates to Chan and their son, citing serious health issues. This made Chan the richest woman in Hong Kong. Chan is also an avid rare Hermès bag collector.

LONDON — Kaia Gerber is the face of Alexander McQueen’s new campaign for the Slash bag.
It is Gerber’s debut campaign with the luxury British brand, and also the first time that Alexander McQueen has tapped a celebrity for an accessories campaign.

Gerber wore McQueen to her first Met Gala in May with her actor boyfriend Austin Butler.

The body of the bag is divided into vertical, padded leather sections, inspired by the slices and slashes in McQueen’s silhouettes.

The handle is a series of rings with the McQueen signature knuckle and skull motif, encrusted with Swarovski crystals. The bag, which also has a silver chain strap, retails for 2,250 pounds.

Related Galleries

The campaign was shot in two mediums by the British fashion photographer and film director Glen Luchford, who regularly shoots for The Face, Self Service Magazine, Arena and many others.

The still-life image shows Gerber staring inquisitively at a prosthetic lookalike. The campaign also features a short film set in a dystopian future.

Gerber is dressed in McQueen, and wearing the Slash bag on her shoulder as she makes her way through a lonely, white, futuristic space. She encounters her mannequin double, strokes the face and starts to cry.

Luchford is a cinephile. His film takes elements from Denis Villeneuve’s “Blade Runner 2049,” with the orange hued lighting and sci-fi mood of Pedro Almodóvar’s “The Skin I Live In,” with clinical prosthetics.

[embedded content]

In 2001, Luchford directed “Here to Where,” a film about a man stranded at an airport, which has been cited as inspiration for Steven Speilberg’s “The Terminal.”

In 2023, Gerber will star in “Mrs. American Pie,” a period comedy miniseries on Apple TV+ that will also feature Kristen Wiig, Laura Dern and Allison Janney. She will also appear in “Bottoms,” a teen sex comedy produced by husband and wife duo Elizabeth Banks and Max Handelman.

McQueen has put the focus on film in its latest campaigns. Earlier this year, McQueen collaborated with the award-winning visual artist Sophie Muller on a short film that brought pieces from the brand’s spring 2022 collection to life.

Mirroring the concept of the fashion show, which was shot on the rooftop of a car park in East London in October 2021, the film features models standing and moving at the top of a building in central London with the city’s skyline and various cloud formations as the background.

“I love the idea of embracing the mystery and unpredictability of the sky, the fact it is always moving, always changing,” said Sarah Burton, creative director of Alexander McQueen, when the campaign was released.

“I look out over London from our studio where the views are incredible and represent our home throughout history from St. Paul’s Cathedral to the London Eye. The sky against which those familiar monuments appear may be calm and restorative at times, and menacing at others. For me, the tension between the two is extremely inspiring,” she added.

Muller has produced hundreds of music and fashion videos in her four-decade-long career. Her work has won numerous awards, including a Grammy, a Brit Award and several MTV Awards. Her most notable collaborators include Maroon 5, Kylie Minogue, Gwen Stefani and Rihanna.

[embedded content]

Founded in 1928 in Milan by Stefano Serapian, luxury leather goods maison Serapian pides itself in offering up impeccably crafted designs that also break norms when it comes to accessories. Keeping these priorities in mind, the fashion house has now announced a new, must-see line of handbags, created in collaboration with Emirati designer Sara Altamimi.
The limited edition capsule collection with Altamimi came about as a result of Serpian’s appreciation for the Middle East and the stream of regional talent it is home to. “We have long admired the elegance and beautiful grace of Middle Eastern women, and the synergies between Serapian and Sara Altamimi are tangible in the final collection.  Each bag is an expression of discreet luxury dedicated to those who value quality, beauty, authenticity, and rarity,” says Giovanni Nodari Serapian, Bespoke Manager. A tribute to the elegance of the Emirati woman, the new collection comprises of four designs from Serapian’s iconic Secret bag collection. What sets them apart is their striking palette, which takes inspiration from Sara Altamimi’s sketches. “I sketch a lot because my head is always bursting with ideas that I want to execute in different ways, and I was excited when Serapian introduced me to a way of executing my ideas through a new medium I hadn’t explored before,” the designer shares. Adding to the exclusivity of the collection is the fact that each of the four designs is limited to only ten pieces.
The process of creation began with Altamimi selecting Serapian’s Secret bag in four different sizes, and then, using Serapian’s renowned personalization service, amping up each piece and making it her own by experimenting wit different buttery soft nappa leathers and colors. A blend of Milanese elegance with Emirati sophistication, the new line brings together intricate weaves, geometric details and playful fringe elements, all in shades of cherry reds, cool mint greens, sharp black and sunset orange. Look closely and you’ll notice each bag stands out with Serapian’s iconic Mosaico weave, a true testament to the brand’s artisanal craftsmanship.
Take a closer look at the Serapian x Sara Altamimi collection below.
Photo: Courtesy Serapian
Photo: Courtesy Serapian
Photo: Courtesy Serapian
Photo: Courtesy Serapian

Ivy Moliver has launched Ivy Cove, the seasoned designer’s take on an American accessories and leather goods brand.
“I know where I come from and of what I’m made,” said Moliver, who served as managing director and partner of Superior Leather Ltd. “I want to share a piece of my work and experience in making luxury accessories for all to enjoy. I also want to bring some of my practical travel secrets to the collections with styles that make traveling or simply going for a neighborhood stroll fun, effortless and understatedly chic.”
Headquartered in Montecito, Calif., the assortment of pieces launched in June with robust range that spans men, women, small leather goods, children’s and even pets. The brand channels a West Coast-ease mixed with functionality and features utility details, all seen through Moliver’s deep understanding of global artisans and tanneries.

According to the brand, its product are meant to be globally aware, taking into account sustainable practices. The brand is Gold Rated Italian Tannery Audited by Environmental Working Group and meets Global Organic Textile Standard Certified for its materials.
The new collection ranges from $15 to $418 and is selling on Ivycove.com and at select retailers.

Accessories designer Nancy Gonzalez has been indicted by the U.S. Department of Justice on charges of illegal smuggling and conspiracy. The designer is being extradited in a joint effort between U.S. and Colombian authorities and will be tried in the U.S.If convicted, Gonzalez faces a maximum total sentence of 25 years in prison and her business is subject to $1 million in fines.
The Colombian-based label known for its use of exotic skins has been a prominent name in the luxury accessories business since the early 2000s. It was even cited in “The Devil Wears Prada” as part of Anne Hathaway’s fashion makeover and was a key resource for the accessories departments of major global luxury stores.

Judging from court records filed in the Southern District of Florida, the Department of Justice began its investigation into Gonzalez’s operations in 2016. That year, the brand told WWD that it was selling some 79,000 bags a year.

Related Galleries

Exotic skin accessories are heavily regulated by the U.S. government and all trade must have documentation and comply with CITES rules [Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora]. Gonzalez has told WWD in the past that she owns her own exotic animal farms where her skins are harvested and treated. The brand also has manufacturing facilities where its bags are sewn and produced for sale.
Court documents allege that the Gonzalez label paid people to fly from Colombia to the U.S. with its handbags in their luggage. When intercepted at Customs, the individuals carrying Gonzalez’s bags said they were gifts for friends in the U.S.

‪Inside the Nancy Gonzalez shop-in-shop at Harrods.‬

Tim Jenkins

As part of its investigation, the Department of Justice observed the transport of nearly 300 bags that it alleges were part of a larger trade conspiracy architected by Gonzalez and her company. Most of the bags in question appear to be made from caiman skin, a reptile that is smaller than a crocodile and is considered a more accessible price point in the accessories arena.
Representatives for Nancy Gonzalez could not be reached for comment. The label’s social media channels have been dormant since late April of this year, which is around the time that the Department of Justice’s investigation began to take shape.
A dramatic, music-scored video tweeted by Colombia’s attorney general earlier this month shows Gonzalez being escorted by authorities from a luxury enclave in Cali, Colombia. The attorney general’s office says this mission is the first of its kind in Latin America to deal with exotic skin accessories.
“The final destination of the products was luxury stores and well-known exhibitions such as New York Fashion Week,” the official account tweeted.

El requerimiento indica que elaboraban carteras, bolsos y diversos productos con pieles de babillas, caimanes, serpientes, entre otras. Contactaban a ciudadanos en Valle del Cauca y, al parecer, los convencían de viajar a Estados Unidos para que llevaran los artículos. pic.twitter.com/pOhK7zFrSB
— Fiscalía Colombia (@FiscaliaCol) July 8, 2022

In early 2021 Gonzalez told WWD that the U.S. remained her brand’s largest market and that she was looking to expand in the U.K., Middle East and South Korea, with plans to enter the Chinese market in 2022.
In the last decade the brand has oscillated between high and low points. As recently as 2016, the company launched a shoe line and maintained a dedicated space in Bergdorf Goodman’s handbag department, which Gonzalez once bragged to WWD was better than having her own store and was the reason she had yet to open a boutique in New York City.
A representative for Bergdorf Goodman declined to comment on the origin of the store’s Gonzalez bags and if the store has been contacted by authorities as part of a larger investigation.

The brand has innovated in the exotic skin space design-wise, weaving crocodile or python skin into bag chains or laser-cutting the skins to resemble flowers.
That fortune changed in 2017 when Santiago Barberi Gonzalez, the designer’s son who also served as her brand’s creative director and chief modernizer, suddenly died. The label gradually fell from wider favor, and made attempts to revive itself by launching calf leather bags to appeal to a broader audience. In recent months the Gonzalez brand was spotted with just a single small cabinet of clutches in Bergdorf’s. Its previous stand-alone space in the store had been taken over by edgier European brands.

Millennial direct-to-consumer suitcase purveyor Away is looking further afield. The brand on Wednesday is launching FAR, short for For All Routes, a product line that considers how tourism has changed during the pandemic with styles geared toward nature-goers.While the brand’s signature hard-case suitcases will “continue to be the majority of revenue,” according to chief executive officer Jen Rubio, those styles are designed with more city destinations in mind.
“I think people have a heightened enthusiasm to return to travel but the type of travel has changed. There’s more of an outdoors focus, more rural with a desire to reconnect with nature and have adventures,” said Rubio.

“We realized we weren’t really making bags to support that kind of travel. People are going to national parks and camping — they’re not taking a four-wheel hard suitcase on a trip. So we are excited to do something in a very Away way and meet the needs of a new kind of journey,” she added.

Related Galleries

Made of entirely recycled materials down to the zippers, FAR includes durable backpacks, duffles, messenger bags, packing cubes and totes — offered in a variety of colors. Ripstop nylon duffles range from 40 to 70 liters in packable volume and backpacks from 26 to 45 liters — designations similar to established outdoor brands like Patagonia and The North Face. Prices range from $25 for a small pouch to $220 for a large backpack.

FAR by Away.
Courtesy/Away

It’s a shrewd move for Away, particularly as tourism winds up again post-pandemic. The luggage gear departments of outdoors stores like REI and L.L. Bean are running low on stock at the moment — owing to a rush in demand as well as supply chain issues.
“I think that speaks to the demand for this kind of gear as people travel more. The travel rebound came back in a big way, and with more outdoor destinations,” Rubio said of the phenomenon.
But with FAR, she is hoping to take the category a step further. “If you think about the outdoor space, everything is super technical and functional but is also kind of ugly. I think that’s a little daunting to some people. I think we found an incredible balance of really durable designs that are versatile but are sleek and attractive,” she said.
“We are excited to attract new customers and see how existing customers build on their collections with F.A.R. — it increases the lifetime value of an Away customer.”

Pyer Moss’ Kerby Jean-Raymond has returned from a brief design hiatus and dropped his first full-fledged accessories line of handbags and shoes.The former Reebok global creative director is known for his sold-out sneaker designs for the athleticwear giant as well as his own brand, but Jean-Raymond has now made a larger departure into women-specific shoes that all come furnished with high heels.
A range of five handbag designs and four shoe styles became exclusively available on Pyer Moss’ website on Thursday afternoon. They represent what Jean-Raymond hopes is a new direction for the brand that focuses on imaginative, everyday styles.
The designer told WWD of the collection drop via email that, “accessories have always been a part of our collections and we do plan to grow the category moving forward. We are just putting out products to our customers as they are ready.”

Related Galleries

Pyer Moss’ inaugural handbag collection utilizes a hand-shaped motif, like a lady-like handle bag ensconced in a wraparound belt of two interlocking palm shapes, and a cheekier purse that looks like a two-dimensional facsimile of a rubber glove.
Jean-Raymond said that the larger inspiration was carried over from a collection that was never released. “The hand motif was something that we started to work on in early 2019 for what was the first version of collection four, then we brought it over to our couture collection (as seen in our ‘curtain rod’ and ‘mop’ look). [It’s] something that feels fun, familiar, and reminds [us] of togetherness,” he said.
There are simpler styles as well, like a slant-shape shoulder bag and an everyday bag with a detachable shoulder strap that’s offered in three sizes.
The bags, all produced in Italy, are priced from $495 to $1,800 and are largely available in both black or yellow leather. There’s an additional run of small leather goods priced from $200 to $500 that includes wallets, key chain fobs and card holders — many of them embroidered with the same hand motif.
Pyer Moss’ first heel design takes a naïve, organic shape that could become an identifiable brand signature. “As my team is growing, we are starting to serve the needs and wants of women that work here (as well as our customers) and it’s something that they are proud of,” Jean-Raymond said of the departure into heels.
The custom heel is offered in different proportions that suit each shoe design — taking a more stout outline on a lower elevation, 4.5-inch heeled sandal and appearing taller and spindly on a zip-up ankle boot with 5-inch heels. The latter style also comes in an over-the-knee version and there’s a lace-up stiletto to round out the collection as well.
All of the shoes — running from $850 to $1,400 — are offered in red, yellow and black — except for the over-the-knee boots, which are exclusively offered in black.
Jean-Raymond marked the occasion of his new collection launch by installing a Pyer Moss billboard in his childhood neighborhood of East Flatbush, Brooklyn. The image is part of a larger digital campaign with images shot by Shikeith and styled by rising talent and new Interview magazine fashion director Dara Allen.

For now, Jean-Raymond has decided to exclusively sell his accessories on Pyer Moss’ own website but has not ruled out wholesale in the future. “Direct-to-consumer allows us to control our narrative, our inventory and to produce what was necessary to sell. We have worked and will continue to work with retail partners in the future,” he said.

Photo: Getty
A slight impractical cloud may hover over the best mini handbags, but don’t let that rain on your fashion parade. Like the stylish clutches, teensy handhelds, tiny crossbodies, and so-small shoulder bags may be little and capable of containing not much more than a lipstick and credit card. But plenty of great things come in small packages—like dazzling diamond earrings or a gorgeous ring, for instance—and baby bags are no different. Besides, paring things down to the strict essentials makes life that breezier whether you’re dressing for errands, a party, or a weekend adventure around town. And let us not dismiss the dopamine-dressing urge to wear things that boost moods and spark smiles—joy is unquestionably the best reason to invest in any trend, with teeny handbags being one of them.
The best minis pack a major punch, from Jacquemus’s cult Le Chiquito to Prada’s shrunken nylon Re-Edition 2000 and Balenciaga’s nano Neo Classic City bag. Supersaturated tones and pastel shades stand out against neutral attire for a playful touch but look equally great with vibrant colors and prints for bolder moments. Of course, fail-safe black, white, and tan tinies look great with minimalist outfits when channeling the ’90s and aughts. Meanwhile, bedazzled designs and woven takes are made for pairing with party and vacation looks, respectively—two occasions where outfits are well documented and worthy of detailed accessory shots. To get your mini fix, keep scrolling to discover Vogue’s edit of the best mini bags to shop now.

The Cute Crossbody
An adorably small crossbody bag is the easiest way to master the mini-handbag trend. Toss one on with athleisure or denim for errands—you’ll love the near-weightless and hands-free ease while on the go.
Bottega Veneta Cassette bag

Mango crossbody mini bag

Staud micro Moon bag

Valentino Rockstud grainy calfskin clutch

Marni Trunk Nano leather shoulder bag

90s Minimal Micros
Throw things back to the ’90s and ’00s with minimalist mini—small-scale shoulder bags and hobos are quintessential when nodding to the era.
The Row 90s leather top-handle bag

Prada Re-Nylon Re-Edition 2000 mini-bag

& Other Stories structured leather shoulder bag

Khaite the Remi hobo bag

Pint-Sized Party Bags
Parties are perhaps the mini’s most natural environment. Whether it’s decked in rhinestones or crafted from lustrous satin, a bedazzled baby bag will become the topic of conversation.

Benedetta Bruzziches Raffaella metallic suspended top-handle bag

Mach & Mach Samantha double-bow glittered shoulder bag

Amina Muaddi Gilda mini crystal-embellished satin tote

Bonny Pink-Violet Satin Bag with Twisted Handle

KARA Black Crystal Fringe Micro Tote

Mini Modern Shapes
A uniquely shaped mini bag is the ultimate eye-catcher. Vibrant tones are undeniably playful with spring and summer outfits, while an architectural shape in black and white is incredibly chic any time of year.
Limone Bag, Grapefruit

Marge Sherwood Off-White Crinkled Shoulder Bag

By Far + Mimi Cuttrell Frame glossed-leather tote

Mini Swipe Leather Top Handle Bag

JW Pei Alison soft volume shoulder bag

Tiny Top Handles
You’ll feel anything but weighted down when toting a tiny top handle, be it a leather, metal-adorned, or logo-emblazoned design.
BOYY Wonton 20 textured-leather tote

JW Anderson mini chain leather tote

Jumbo GG mini tote bag

Alexander Wang scrunchie mini bag

Petite Pastels
Who can resist the sweetness of a petite pastel mini in spring or summer? It’s our top pick for accenting wedding-guest attire or a floral bridesmaid dress.

Fendi FF logo leather shoulder bag

Yuzefi Pretzel mini knotted leather shoulder bag

Brandon Blackwood mini Kuei shearling crossbody bag

Tom Ford mini label leather chain top-handle bag

Off-White pump pouch

Jacquemus orange ‘Le Chiquito Moyen’ bag

The Nano Natural
It doesn’t get better (or cuter) than wee bags woven from raffia or whittled rattan to pair with summer whites and breezy vacation attire. Opt for one trimmed with leather in natural straw or white for a city-sleek finish.

Mango double strap mini basket bag

Aranaz Curba mini cutout rattan top-handle bag

Zara rigid mini bag

DeMellier mini Verona crossbody bag

Chloé small Woody tote bag

Originally published in Vogue.com
Read Next: 10 Beautiful Ladylike Top Handle Handbags Spotted in Kate Middleton’s Wardrobe

PARIS — Celine is launching a line of made-to-order crocodile leather handbags, joining the ranks of luxury leather goods makers that are developing increasingly exclusive and rarefied products to cater to well-heeled consumers.The Celine haute maroquinerie collection, available beginning in October, will offer its bestselling 16 and Triomphe handbag models in Nile crocodile leather, which comes in 14 shades, including a dusty pink known as Marly and a rich chestnut hue called Riesener. Recognizable for its large scales, the exotic leather has been glazed to a high sheen with an agate stone.
Customers can pick from an assortment of hardware in 18-karat white or yellow gold, including closures that can be customized with diamonds, either in pavé or solitaire settings. In the ultimate example of stealth wealth, the Triomphe closure is offered with a solitaire on the concealed part of the clasp. Initials can be embossed into the goat skin lining.

Related Galleries

A selection of hardware for Celine’s haute maroquinerie collection.
Courtesy of Celine

The house declined to disclose the price of the handbags, cementing their aura as status items for ultra-high-net-worth individuals.
The numbered bags will be produced by a dedicated artisan at Celine’s Italian leather goods workshop in Radda in Chianti in Tuscany, which overlooks rolling hills and vineyards. The artisan is responsible for the bag’s entire assembly, from the selection of skin to cutting and stitching.
“Each bag is created as a single piece. Leather cutting only occurs once an order has been placed,” the house said in a statement. Each custom-made 16 handbag takes 17 hours to produce, while the Triomphe requires 12 hours of labor.
Artistic director Hedi Slimane has been steadily growing the brand’s high-end offering, even as he courts the TikTok generation with buzzy collection films and $435 cropped tops. In February, he unveiled an ad campaign featuring Blackpink’s Lisa for his haute parfumerie collection, launched in 2019.
And the designer has sprinkled made-to-measure designs, often produced in collaboration with artists, into his ready-to-wear collections.
The 16 was his first design after joining Celine in 2018, and was famously unveiled on the arm of Lady Gaga, making her the first celebrity to wear Slimane’s designs for the brand. The flap on the made-to-order version has a crocodile underside, considered a technical feat because the leather is both delicate and stiff.

The 16 handbag in Nile crocodile leather from Celine’s haute maroquinerie collection.
Courtesy of Celine

Each haute maroquinerie bag comes with a mirror bordered in matching leather, and is delivered in a leather-line lacquered eucalyptus wood coffer, with a plaque that can be engraved with the owner’s name.
Parent company LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton has been doubling down on exotic skins, despite protests from animal rights campaigners, who want the luxury conglomerate to follow the example of Chanel, which said in 2018 it was halting the use of leathers including crocodile, lizard, snake and stingray.
Louis Vuitton recently inaugurated two leather goods workshops in France that specialize in bags made from exotic skins, while the renovated Dior flagship on Avenue Montaigne has an entire counter dedicated to bags made from rare materials such as crocodile, ostrich and python leather.

Celine said the skins for its haute maroquinerie collection have been sourced from a supplier certified by the International Crocodilian Farmers Association, a nonprofit association created to develop and improve crocodilian farming practices with respect for animal welfare, the environment, people and local communities.
They are treated by a tannery associated with the IFCA that is certified ISO 14001, an industry recognized standard based on environmental management compliance.
SEE ALSO:
Louis Vuitton Doubles Down on Exotic Skins With New Workshops
Celine Unveils New Manufacturing Plant
Meet the Bag That Is Launching Hedi Slimane’s Celine Reboot