Words by Abigail Gurney-Read
In an ever-changing world, investment pieces – from fine jewellery to beautifully crafted accessories – take priority on our fashion agenda. Much like a Cartier Love bangle, forever bags don't tend to be spontaneous purchases, nor the result of late night browsing and a large glass of Chablis. They’re the styles that you’ve considered and coveted, elegant and enduring – those rare few gems that will chime as much in a decade’s time as they do now. Attention must be paid.
Loewe bag
Cult, classic, collectible; these designers stand the test of time and trend.
The Coveted
Dispelling the notion that edge and elegance are mutually exclusive, the Valentino Garavani Rockstud is almost as iconic as Mr Valentino himself. Making their debut in the footwear arena back in Autumn/Winter 2010, these galvanized metal studs now sweep the full accessories spectrum and are a truly worthy addition to the fashion lexicon.
The Cult
Toted and touted by anyone who’s anyone, Daniel Lee’s wait-list bags are the omnipresent accessories of influencer Instagram feeds and beyond. Arco, Cassette, Jodie and The Pouch… With each silhouette as covetable as the last (if not more so), selecting your favourite will be practically impossible. Just ask any fashion editor.
The Crafted
Exceptional craftsmanship is in the bag with Loewe (in every sense), inherent to its DNA since Enrique Loewe Roessberg established his team of leather artisans over 150 years ago. Now, with Jonathan Anderson at the helm, Loewe bags – from the unisex Puzzle to intricate basket totes and its latest addition, the Heel Duo – have made waves as icons in their own right.
The Collectible
To own a Gucci bag, heirloom or new season, is to be a member of a unique and global club, endorsed by celebrities and accessories aficionados alike. Alessandro Michele’s au courant creations – Ophidia, Dionysus, Sylvie – share their stage with archival motifs and insignia, from the signature horsebit hardware that’s celebrated in the 1955 collection, to the GG Supreme (its monogrammed canvas).
