Famous Bags Named After Famous Women

Throughout the decades, many trendy bags have come and gone but few have been able to remain popular. Those that have withstood the test of time are often popularized by celebrities, political figures, and even royalty. Some of these bags have even been renamed in honor of the famous women who brought them into the spotlight. Although many of these bags hail from the 1960s-1970s, designers have updated these styles with new prints and colors. These fun new styles only continue to elevate these timeless bags.

Hermès Birkin Bag

The Hermès Birkin bag was designed in 1984 by the Executive Chairman of Hermès, Jean-Louis Dumas, for the British actress Jane Birkin. Dumas decided to design a bag for Jane Birkin because the two happened to be on the same flight when she was complaining about how she couldn’t find a bag that was big enough to hold everything she needed as a mother. As time has progressed, these bags have only become more valuable and exclusive. The price for a new Birkin has a huge range from anywhere between $12,000 to $223,000 because they are a true investment piece that will last a lifetime.

Hermès Kelly Bag

The Hermès Kelly Bag was renamed after the actress and princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly. In 1956, Grace Kelly used the bag to shield her pregnancy from the paparazzi. The bag was referred to as the Kelly bag by the public from there on out and rose to popularity, but it wasn’t officially renamed until 1977. The price of a Kelly bag starts around $9,000 and only goes up from there. This bag remains a classic because such a classy, elegant woman popularized it.

Gucci Jackie Bag

Source: The New York Times Style Magazine

The Gucci Jackie Bag was originally made in the 1950s as one of the first hobo bags. In 1961, Jackie Kennedy Onassis, the First Lady of the U.S. at the time, was often photographed by the paparazzi using this bag, so Gucci renamed it the Jackie Bag. She was seen using many different versions, including the classic black leather one in New York City and the canvas tote in Capri. She was highly regarded as a fashion icon and still is, so this bag is no exception. This bag remains a versatile bag that has been remade with lots of different colors, patterns, and materials. The bag retails anywhere from $1700 to $7300, but the resale prices are much lower, beginning around $325.

Lady Dior Bag

The Lady Dior Bag was released in 1995, which is the same year Princess Diana of Wales began toting it around frequently. At many events from an official visit to Argentina to the MET gala, Princess Diana could be seen using this bag. It was officially gifted to her by the First Lady of France, Bernadette Chirac, at the opening of a Cézanne art exhibit. When Princess Diana was spotted using it, the bag became an instant hit because many looked to her as a fashion icon. She knew the perfect balance between tailored, fancy looks and casual, chic looks. The bag has become a signature of Dior and is updated every year to keep it fresh. The bag retails from anywhere between $4300 to $7400, but there are also many available for resale for lower prices.

Salvatore Ferragamo Sofia Bag

The Salvatore Ferragamo Sofia Bag is named after Sophia (Sofia) Loren, the Italian actress who was good friends with Salvatore Ferragamo himself and a loyal customer. She became the muse for his brand throughout the 1950s because she often had Ferragamo make her custom heels, many of which are still in production today. The bag was released relatively recently in 2009, and although there isn’t currently any for sale on the official Ferragamo website, there are many available on resale sites from anywhere between $150 to $2000+. This bag may have been designed more recently than many of the other classic bags, but its beautiful simplicity has it well on its way to becoming a classic.

If you are ever in the market for a purse that will last you a lifetime, these are the ones you’ll want to consider. Although these ladies may have come and gone out of the spotlight, their impact on the fashion world will be remembered through their bags.