Skip to content

Amy Winehouse’s Iconic Botkier Bianca Bag, Carried By Marisa Abela

Add that to the list of Y2K trends making a reappearance.
Amy Winehouse’s Iconic Botkier Bianca Bag

The former It-bag was released in the fall of 2006 and immediately sold out everywhere. Lindsay Lohan to Zoe Deschanel and Angelina Jolie toted the double zip-pocket satchel. While the brand no longer sells the satchel style, secondhand versions are available on eBay and Poshmark.

QUICK JUMP
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Marisa Abela and Eddie Marsan were first seen together on January 16 in London, England. They were filming for Back to Black, the Amy Winehouse biopic directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson. Even though the next movie is one of the most widely awaited movies of the year, the first trailer generated a lot of discussions online. Although it’s simple to focus on Winehouse’s distinctive beehive hairstyle, the style elite have recognised one notable Y2K-era accessory: the legendary Botkier Bianca Bag.

When the former “It” bag was introduced in the fall of 2006, it was out of stock everywhere. Winehouse was one of many famous people who liked the silhouette, though. The double zip-pocket backpack was carried by everyone, including Lindsay Lohan, Zoe Deschanel, and Angelina Jolie. Designer Monica Botkier, whose company is a hit in Hollywood, said to WWD in 2008, “I’m pleased celebs are wearing the bags.” With Angelina Jolie, we have a huge fan base. She is a working mother of four. I love seeing her use her bag with her kids.

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Botkier Bianca Bag

The aughts marked the height of the It bag trend, and while many iconic designer bags come to mind from this era, Botkier was one of the newer independent brands on the market, offering high-quality bags at lower prices. The Bianca bag was the ideal silhouette to draw in customers who valued practicality and current fashion trends. Satchel bags gained popularity due to their simple, logo-free designs, relaxed constructions, and strong hardware accents. Examples include the Marc Jacobs Stam Bag and the Chloe Paddington bag. The Bianca bag can now go with just about anything in your closet, including a traditional skirt, women’s jeans, or trendy leggings.

In response to Bianca’s success, Botkier introduced upscale iterations of the classic satchel in 2008. “Botkier has exposed skin. This Christmas season, the accessories company is releasing a limited edition python version of its well-known Bianca purse, which celebrities like Lindsay Lohan and Heather Graham have been spotted carrying. We wanted to do something extra for our Bianca lovers because the bag has become a consumer favourite. After that, the bag was made available in three sizes, along with a clutch designed after Bianca in various gorgeous hues, including metallic gold, silver, and bronze.

Even though the brand no longer offers the satchel style, used examples may be found on eBay and Poshmark. Additionally, fashion houses like Chloé and Marc Jacobs are reinterpreting the satchel shape in their most recent collections, reviving this handbag style.

Will the Amy Winehouse film be sufficient to revive this Y2K bag, then? Only time will tell, but you can browse these modern black satchels in the meantime.

ADVERTISEMENT

Amy Winehouse, an English soul singer, was away in 2011 at just 27 from alcohol poisoning at her London residence.

At Truoosh, we’re here to help you navigate this overwhelming world of stuff. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. All product details reflect the price and availability at the time of publication. If you buy something we link to on our site, Truoosh may earn commission.

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT