The Handbag Book: 400 Designer Bags That Changed Fashion

A luxe and definitive guide to 400 luxury handbags by the world’s leading fashion designers and couture houses

Luxury handbags account for almost a third of global luxury sales alone, and are both an aspiration and addiction for many. From Hermés’s priceless Birkin bag to Chanel’s coveted flap bags that have been prevalent since the 1950s, to Fendi’s instantly recognizable Baguette bag, it is no surprise why these incredible purses are often considered symbols of luxury and status due to their high-quality craftsmanship.

The Handbag Book: 400 Essential Designer Bags is a look back at 400 of the most famous handbags designed by the greatest names in fashion. With stunning spreads, photographs of the handbags, and introductory text for each style, it is the authority on high-end fashion. In addition, this tome also includes backgrounds on the designers, stories of how certain styles became cemented into the fashion lexicon, tips on how to identify a counterfeit, a look at the increasing popularity of second-hand bags, and even behind-the-scenes looks into how these handbags are made.

Featured designers: Acne Studios - Alaïa - Alexander Mcqueen - Ami -Anya Hindmarch - A.P.C. Balenciaga - Balmain - Bottega Veneta - Bulgari - Carel -- Celine - Chanel - Chloé - Christian Louboutin - Coach - Coperni - Delvaux - Destree - Dior - Dolce & Gabbana - Fendi - Ferragamo - Fleuron Paris François-Joseph Graf Paris - Gerard Darel - Giorgio Armani - Givenchy - Gucci - Hermès - Hervé Chapelier - Ines De La Fressange Paris - Isabel Marant - Issey Miyake - Jacquemus - Jérôme Dreyfuss - Jimmy Choo - Judith Leiber - JW Anderson - Lancel - Loewe - Longchamp - Loro Piana --Louis Vuitton - L/Uniform - Maison Michel - Marc Jacobs - Michael Kors - Miu Miu - Moynat - Off-White - Olympia Le-Tan - Patou - Pierre Hardy - Prada - Rabanne - Roger Vivier - Rsvp Paris - Saint Laurent - Schiaparelli - Soeur - Stella Mccartney - Tod’s - Valextra - Vanessa Bruno - Zadig & Voltaire

Fashion journalist Sophie Gachet has traveled the world’s fashion weeks for ELLE magazine from 1998 to 2019. She is a co-author with Inès de la Fressange of the bestselling book La Parisienne, the last edition of which sold more than 15,000 copies in France alone. She has written five books with la Fressange published by Flammarion. Her expert eye has allowed her to select 400 essential models to produce this exceptional book.