The Handbag: An Illustrated History

The handbag has never been more important in fashion than it is today. Whether Prada Louis Vuitton Gucci or Chanel the It bag of the season is a much-coveted designer item that indicates supreme style cachetand for which the fashion-minded do not hesitate to spend. In this lush volume filled with a range of rich historical and contemporary images fashion authority Caroline Cox explores the history of this must-have accessory beginning with its development in the nineteenth century with the reticuleessentially a pocket with a handleto the slouchy greatly oversized bags popular today. In six chapters each devoted to a decade Cox not only highlights the most noteworthy bags in fashion design but looks at their evolution within the social context of the day. Featured bags include Vuittons revolutionary Noe bag for the female traveler Art Deco clutch bags molded in Bakelite the Herms Kelly bag endorsed by Princess Grace of Monaco in the 1950s and the It bag of the moment the Marc Jacobs Stam. This book is a fascinating history of handbag design examined within the context of changing society and womens roles in it. Filled with a collection of important handbags diverse imagery and a fun informative text this beautifully designed volume is a must-have for handbag aficionados and lovers of fashion alike.