In addition to her formidable French-girl style and enviable bangs, there’s one thing the late Jane Birkin is remembered for best: the Hermes Birkin bag.
And while, these days, most of those who are lucky enough to own a Birkin bag (which retail upwards of $10,000), go to lengths to keep the handbag intact, Jane was famous for quite the opposite. She was frequently photographed making the most of the capacious tote, stuffed to the brim with its contents, and adorned with a variety of trinkets, ribbons, stickers, and even an Hermes watch.
And it seems the Birkin effect is rubbing off, with over-accessorized carryalls reigning supreme on the Spring Summer runways of 2024.
“At Miu Miu and Balenciaga this year was what I would call ‘the Jane Birkin effect’ – large carry-all bags with keys, trinkets, personal effect and stuffed full (even with shoes hanging out) all reminded me of Jane Birkin’s famous Hermes bags, which were often stuffed to the brim and decorated with keys, chains and trinkets,” noted marie claire’s fashion director Naomi Smith.
“Balenciaga’s version was more extreme,” Naomi mused, “with padlocks, heavy keys and tags hanging out of the black and silver bags; the models also wore keys in their ponytails.”
The bags themselves were as well-worn as Jane’s own. Peering out from models’ arms, the oversized creations showed signs of love, like creased leather and discolouration – a stark contrast to the usually perfect versions found on most runways.
Miu Miu followed suit, with boxy totes visibly overflowing with shoes and clothes, and their handles individualised with leather straps, rope ties, and gold trinkets.
A version of the maximalism trend was also on display at Bottega Veneta, with oversized bags that seemed capable of literally holding your entire life. Emphasising this fact, the exaggerated creations were often brimming with everyday items, from shirting to a rolled up newspaper.
Louis Vuitton also hinted at Jane Birkin’s love of personalised accessories, with bags stamped with travel-like stickers – another emblem of a well-used bag.
If these shows are anything to go by, then gone are the days of preserving designer handbags for special occasions. Instead, we’re taking cues from the style icon herself, and embracing the imperfections that come from loving – and using – a handbag. And perhaps putting our personal touch on them, too.
Our Pick For Accessories To Personalise Your Handbag
Alaia Le Coeur leather coin purse, $700 from NET-A-PORTER.
Bottega Veneta Knot leather and gold-tone keyring, $540 from NET-A-PORTER.
Loewe Flamenco Knot leather and gold-tone keychain, $360 from NET-A-PORTER.
See By Chloe red and brown cherry woven keychain, $240 from SSENSE.
Plantasia Letter Keyrings, $39 from The Daily Edited.
A-Letters Charm, $165 from Diesel.
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