Geneology the Handbag: Pre-historic to Present
PRE-HISTORIC POUCHES- were made from twisted fibers or animal skins.
The origin of the handbag is said to come from the usage of totes by men during biblical times. They were called “pockets” or “girdles” and hung from the back of the waist to carry flint, spices, money, and other valuables.
Fast-forward to the 1300’s when the handbag evolved into jeweled toes carried by both men and women to show their wealth. At this point in history, the handbag became purely an accessory as opposed to a practical use item.
Around the late 1800’s and the beginning of the twentieth century, we see handbags return but in a more practical fashion. In fact, men’s briefcases and satchels were the first item to officially use the term “handbag”. Shortly thereafter, women began carrying small purses more frequently to conceal their personal toiletries and accessories.
Interestingly enough, the ever popular clutch style of handbag developed a couple of decades later with the textile shortages of WWII. Less availibilty of leather and other fine goods meant that manufacturers had to turn to cheaper substitiutes for bag making and use less materials overall. The result was the trendy clutch, a small bag frequently made from plastic materials.
Another development in the handbag came around between 1950-1960. It was during the post-war era that the return to extarvageance in fashion began. Designers begin releaseing more accessory pieces and the birth of the “designer handbag” came about.
Currently, handbags share the usage of functionality and style. As in centuries past, many of us see certain bags as a way to communicate our social status by wearing brands or designs that are well known luxury products. Ironically enough, this growing trend has also spurned the growth of a multi-million dollar counterfeit industry that lurks in almost every major city worldwide. From the late 1980’s-present, we have seen a rise in knock-off handbags from almost every price point.
ANCIENT EGYPTIAN HIEROGLYPHICS show men carrying purses
13th-16th Century, FRENCH EMBROIDERED BAG
1930s-1920s CARRY-ALL compact purses
1920's-1930's CARRY-ALL compact purses
WWII era SUITCASE BAG, a time when the ornate handbag became more sparse and consumers chose function over fashion.
1955, Designer bags exploded, one of the most iconic being the original CHANEL 2.55 PURSE
1960 inspired bag, show the use of many man-made materials to create fun handbags.
1990's Hermes bags, this decade continued with the growth of the luxury bag industry
2000-PRESENT, this image shows a CHLOE bag from spring 2009
2000-PRESENT, this image shows PRADA 2006 bag collections
2000-PRESENT, MODERN CLUTCH from DONNA KARAN resort 2010
2000-PRESENT, PRADA AD campaign 2009
FUTURE TRENDS……….
FUTURISTIC TRENDS; STILETTO BAG-Bezalel Academy of Art and Design Jerusalem
FUTURISTIC TREND; CHANEL ANKLE BAG, spring 2008
FUTURISTIC TREND; CHANEL HARDCASE bag
FUTURISTIC TREND; LV SKATEBOARD CASE for the fashion-conscience of the skater scene.
