Roger Saul, the company’s founder, started it at his kitchen table in Somerset, England, in 1971. With a tree emblem and equestrian design cues, the Somerset countryside has always been at the core of the brand’s DNA. However, London’s vitality and flair have also had a significant impact. A large range of well-known celebrities, including the Princess of Wales, The Duchess of Sussex, Kate Moss, and Alexa Chung, have made Mulberry purses their go-to accessory of choice.
Mulberry avoids passing fashion trends and adheres to timeless design philosophy, producing handbags that you will probably carry for decades as opposed to just a few years. Mulberry’s “Made to Last” promise, a credo outlining the efforts the brand is doing to be more environmentally friendly and open about its supply chain and carbon footprint, should also be included. On its website, it has also introduced a “pre-loved” section where it sells used bags that have been authenticated and given some tender loving care by the artisans at one of its repair centres in Somerset.
The brand’s designs heavily rely on its past because many of its new releases are remakes of earlier silhouettes or make reference to enduring design elements. If you’re considering buying a Mulberry handbag, read on for information on the various designs and their appeal.
Continue reading for a list of the most popular Mulberry handbags and information on how we rated each one.
The Leighton, another Mulberry silhouette, was transformed into the Link, which has a rounded, supple shape and a modest fold-over flap. With its modest, beautiful design and one statement feature, a gold hefty Rider’s lock on the strap, this is an understated luxury at its finest. According to Mulberry, it has been redesigned to appear like an “abstract jewellery-like piece.”
The Softie, a brand-new product in the Mulberry lineup, has a cuddly feel from the thick, fluffy down used throughout the bag. Although the exaggerated quilting is a first for Mulberry, the bags still include several of the company’s enduringly popular legacy elements, such as a Postman’s Lock and a beautiful gold chain strap. Another homage to the brand’s design DNA is the quilting pattern’s replication of the braid pattern on the Alexa bag handle. The Softie is crafted using Nappa Leather from ecologically recognised tanneries and responsibly sourced down and feathers. This information is provided on the Mulberry website as part of the company’s Made to Last philosophy.
Given that Alexa is a true fashion classic, it probably doesn’t need an introduction. The cross-body satchel handbag was created for Alexa Chung, who was frequently pictured in the 2000s carrying a vintage Mulberry Elkington briefcase. It was originally introduced in January 2010. The Alexa was re-released in 2020 with some intentional updates: it is created in the company’s carbon-neutral UK factories using leather from gold grade, environmentally recognised tanneries. When the Alexa was introduced, Mulberry CEO Thierry Andretta told British Vogue that it “still feels unique and relevant; it’s both laid-back and luxury, and when coupled with the new sustainable upgrades, it ensures that it still seems extremely modern.”
Another Mulberry classic that you can connect to the It-crowd of the 2000s is the Bayswater. This is undoubtedly a style that has staying power because it was introduced in 2003 and is still in demand today. It has a postman lock on the flap, a curved top handle, and a straightforward, streamlined design. Just two of the A-Listers who have been pictured with a black Bayswater tucked under their elbow are Kate Moss and Meghan Markle.
The Princess of Wales has worn a variety of styles throughout her royal engagements, but her favourite is the Amberley. This design, which features equestrian gear and a satchel form, is influenced by the British countryside. It is a sophisticated option that also comes in a variety of colourful hues, including orange, grassy green, and purple.
Since 1971, Mulberry has been a prominent British lifestyle brand known for its Made to Last goods’ exceptional design and construction. The Bayswater, the Alexa, the Amberley, and the Iris handbags by Mulberry are modern classics and enduring representations of British design.
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