The Saint Laurent Bags That Defined Anthony Vaccarello’s Decade At The French Fashion House
PHOTO COURTESY OF SAINT LAURENT
Anthony Vaccarello is officially leaving Saint Laurent after a decade as creative director. Beyond his star-studded front rows, it was his accessories that became the real draw. From the oversized drama of the Icare and Y to the chevron-quilted Loulou and Niki, Vaccarello’s Saint Laurent bags truly exemplified an effortless, cool-girl Parisian sensibility.
Many loved the Loulou for its quilting and chunky YSL Cassandre clasp, which makes it instantly recognisable. It comes in several sizes, and the chain strap can sit long or double up for a shorter length. Part of its appeal lies in how adaptable it is. The same bag looks sleek with a tailored outfit, but relaxed with jeans and a white tee.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SAINT LAURENT
Where the Loulou feels polished, however, Saint Laurent’s Niki is deliberately slouchy. Crafted in soft, crinkled vintage-look leather, its lived-in texture makes it feel like a bag you’ve owned for years. It works particularly well in dark neutrals and deeper tones. The range has since expanded to include shopping tote styles that go beyond the conventional flap bag.
Then there’s the Le 5 à 7, named after the French phrase for after-work hours. Slim and easy to tuck under the arm, it comes in a variety of shapes. From an evening purse to a hobo silhouette, all come with the YSL clasp as the focal point. It’s a smart in-between that’s laidback enough for drinks afterwards, thus truly living up to its name.
PHOTO COURTESY OF SAINT LAURENT
For anyone who wants volume, the Icare and the Y deliver. The first is a large quilted tote that puts the house’s signature stitching on a practical scale. Whereas the latter is clean and minimalist with no hardware, just the Y-shaped construction that speaks for itself. Arguably amongst the most popular styles in recent years, both bags were spotted on Zoë Kravitz, Charli XCX and global ambassador Rosé, before they even reached stores.
Each design offers a different mood, from slouchy to sharp, but together they cover almost every use case. That very range explains their desirability, since the outgoing creative director created a Saint Laurent bag for almost every part of a woman’s day. Time will tell where the house goes from here, but one thing is certain. Anthony Vaccarello leaves behind a handbag legacy that the world won’t forget anytime soon.
