The early 2010s were an interesting time for fashion. On the one hand there were jeggings, slogan T-shirts and wedge sneakers everywhere to be seen. On the other, a golden age of It bags was emerging, and there was one in particular that stood out from the crowd. The Mulberry Alexa, launching at the start of the decade (yes, that’s 10 years ago if you can believe), was on every fashion lover’s wish list in the country. If you didn’t have one, you wanted one.
Inspired by burgeoning style icon Alexa Chung and her charismatic popularity, the brand created a modern, relaxed version of a vintage Mulberry briefcase she was often spotted with. The design— a buttery soft leather satchel style with signature plaited handle— was the hallmark of cool and has since garnered cult status. So much so, there is even due to be one on show from Alexa’s personal collection at the V&A’s forthcoming Bags: Inside Out exhibition.