Trend report: handbags for aw/20
"A successful collection is a creative one, as much at it is a commercial one" - (Jacquemus, 2020).
There is no single factor that dominates the modern world popular cultural psyche as much as fashion (O’Cass and McEwen, 2004), (Grotts, 2013). Handbags have been a dominating accessory for centuries with alternative styles commanding attention each season.
For AW/20, bags have become smaller, with the influence of Gen Z favouring "Y2K" fashions on TikTok. With it, a surge has appeared at high-street and mid-market levels for handbags that mimic the stylings of late 90's and early 00's shoulder bags. Arguably, lockdown has killed the handbag for many of us. Lockdown has for the most part made possessions obsolete. My winter wardrobe has barely been touched. However, handbags seem to be the only accessory that is a constant whether for my essential travels to university or work. Nonetheless, nobody could have projected our current scenario in 2019 when designers flooded fashion week with their AW/20 collections. Below are five key handbags trends for AW/20.
1. Chains:
Chains have a solidified influence this season. Chunky chains are notably diffused across the fashion accessory pipeline. Belts, boots and hair accessories are just a few items that were seen adorned with links at fashion week, brands such as Chanel and Jacquemus incorporated chains into their looks.
2. Vintage clutch
Vintage inspired pieces were scattered across the runway this season from Marc Jacobs' sixties collection, complete with beehives; to Lanvin's chic Hollywood 50's starlet inspired outfits. Many designers incorporated grandma's coin purse into their collection in the form of exaggerated clutches. These bags are essentially small totes with the kiss-clasp at the top. Lanvin and Miu Miu in particular incorporated a colour way of vintage bags.
3. quilted
Quilted leather is a staple in luxury bags, Chanel in particular. In fact, most leather bags are constructed using a quilted effect. However, for AW/20 ; the quilting was exaggerated and plush, much like the blanket-inspired coats we have seen on the runways for this season.
4. animal print
Usually, leopard makes an appearance for the winter season. However, this year, is all about the cow. Cow prints were seen on the runway for Michael Kors, Off-white and Fendi amongst others. Croc print however, dominated the catwalk f or AW/20. Alike leather everything; Croc-embossed textures are having a major influence this season and personally, I am here for it.
5. THE 00S MINI
The micro bag became the IT bag last year thanks to Jacquemus, and they're here to stay. It's common knowledge that fashion is cyclical and typically runs on a 100 year cycle. The major influence this season is the ate 90s to early 00s, Banana shaped underarm bags have swept across brands at all pricing levels from Prada to Primark.
6. The Belted bag
Designers experimented with different ways to keep bags secure against the body for AW/20. Who said bum bags were for festivals only? These bags would look incredibly chic worn as a belt over a blazer or fabulous belter into jeans or trousers.
Brands A-Z:
Balenciaga
Bottega Venetta
Brandon Maxwell
Burberry
Chanel
Chanel
J W Anderson
Jacquemus
Lanvin
Marc Jacobs
Michael Kors
Miu Miu
Off-White
Prada
Sandy Liang
Valentino
Gucci
References:
Grotts, A. and Widner Johnson, T., 2013. Millennial consumers’ status consumption of handbags. Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management: An International Journal, 17(3), pp.280-293.
Jacquemus, S., 2020. Case Study; Jacquemus. Institut Francais De La Mode
O’Cass, A. and McEwen, H. (2004), “Exploring consumer status and conspicuous consumption”, Journal of Consumer Behaviour, Vol. 4 No. 1, pp. 25-39.
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