Since its inception more than a century ago British Vogue has been fascinated by the infinite
incarnations of the handbag. From the myriad surrealist creations of Karl Lagerfeld at Chanel
to Prada's democratic nylon backpack from the exclusive Hermés Birkin bag to individual
vintage gems the handbag is fashion's most inventive accessory. No shock then that the
handbag market today is worth more than a hundred billion dollars. From each season's must-have
to five-figure rarities the handbag symbolizes the inexplicable power of fashion desire. Vogue
Essentials: Handbags explores all the greatest hits in a collection that any fashion devotee
will covet. 'Any woman can wear shoes and handbags: it's not a question of how tall you are
how skinny you are how blonde or blue-eyed or tanned or whatever.' Marc Jacobs
