8 Famous Bags Inspired by Fashion Icons
Some bags stand apart from all others because of the stories they carry. From Grace Kelly to Lady Diana, discover eight legendary designs that were born from — and named after — timeless fashion icons.
It’s no coincidence that some women are forever remembered as fashion legends. Their charisma, elegance, and individuality have inspired creations that transcend time — becoming icons in their own right. Throughout fashion history, a select few bags have come to symbolize more than luxury; they tell stories of the women who inspired them. In the 1990s and 2000s, as signature bag culture flourished, designers often drew inspiration from their surroundings — sometimes from a passing encounter, sometimes from a single photograph. Here, we explore the most famous bags named after the women who defined style itself, from Grace Kelly to Jane Birkin.
Hermès Birkin – Jane Birkin
It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that a chance encounter on a London–Paris flight in 1983 changed the course of fashion history. Jane Birkin, then a young mother, was carrying her signature straw basket — charming, yet impractical for her fast-paced daily life. When the basket tipped over mid-flight, scattering its contents, she voiced her frustration at not being able to find a bag that was both stylish and functional. Sitting beside her, Hermès CEO Jean-Louis Dumas listened carefully, pulled out a notepad, and began sketching. The result was a roomy, structured bag with a clasp closure — elegant, versatile, and endlessly practical.
Launched in 1984, the Hermès Birkin became an instant status symbol, blending impeccable craftsmanship with everyday usability. It has since maintained a cult status few designs have ever reached. And a fun fact worth mentioning: Jane Birkin’s original prototype sold at auction for nearly $10 million — tangible proof that this design is more than just a bag; it’s a piece of fashion legend.
Mulberry Alexa – Alexa Chung
One of the most recognizable It Bags of the 2010s, the Mulberry Alexa takes its name from British model, presenter, and quintessential It Girl Alexa Chung. The Mulberry design team translated Alexa’s effortless, vintage-inspired style — originally reflected in her worn-in Elkington document bag — into a fresh, modern form. The result was a satchel-inspired design softened with supple leather and relaxed lines, perfectly suited to both urban living and professional life. When Chung was photographed carrying the bag during New York Fashion Week, Alexa instantly became the most sought-after accessory of the season. Soon, it was seen in the hands of celebrities like Blake Lively and Sarah Jessica Parker. Much like its muse, the Mulberry Alexa embodied a distinctly British sense of cool — understated, practical, and naturally chic. To this day, it remains a symbol of effortless style.
Gucci – Diana
Gucci’s bamboo-handled tote was originally born out of wartime scarcity. In 1947, during the post-war years, Gucci’s artisans sought creative ways to reduce costs, ultimately heating and molding bamboo to form durable, sculptural handles. Decades later, in the early 1990s, the design resurfaced — and found its most famous admirer in Princess Diana of Wales.
Having distanced herself from royal protocol, Diana began embracing a freer, sportier style. Often photographed leaving Chelsea Harbour Gym in leggings, oversized sweatshirts, and her bamboo-handled Gucci tote, she transformed the accessory into a symbol of independence and self-expression.
In 2021, under Alessandro Michele’s creative direction, Gucci reintroduced the design as the Gucci Diana. The updated version preserved the iconic bamboo handles while adding removable neon leather straps for a modern edge. Available in three sizes and a range of finishes, from crocodile to python, the Diana stands as both a tribute to the princess’s rebellious spirit and a celebration of her evolution into an icon of personal freedom.
Hermès – Kelly
Introduced in the 1930s as the “Sac à Dépêches,” this Hermès design was initially intended as an elegant document case. Designer Robert Dumas merged utility and aesthetics through a structured trapezoid silhouette and a distinctive buckled flap that reflected the modernist elegance of the era. Decades later, the bag found its muse in Hollywood actress–turned–Princess of Monaco, Grace Kelly. In 1956, a now-famous photograph captured Kelly using the bag to shield her pregnant belly from paparazzi — a gesture that transformed the accessory overnight. The image went down in fashion history, and soon, the Sac à Dépêches became known simply as the Kelly.
Renamed officially by Hermès, the Kelly bag remains synonymous with timeless grace and refinement — an emblem of understated sophistication that continues to define the house’s legacy.
Bottega Veneta – Jodie
Another bag renamed because of a single photograph. One of creative director Daniel Lee’s standout designs during his tenure at Bottega Veneta (2018–2021), the Jodie — featuring the brand’s signature Intrecciato weave — owes its name to a spontaneous moment.
One day, Oscar-winning actress Jodie Foster lifted her Bottega Veneta bag in front of her face in an attempt to shield herself from paparazzi. The photo made front-page news the next day — and the bag she used became forever associated with her. From that moment on, the design was known simply as Jodie. With its curved, soft silhouette and luxurious handwoven leather, the Jodie perfectly encapsulates Bottega Veneta’s balance of craftsmanship and modernity. Simple yet powerful, understated yet distinctive — just like the woman whose name it bears.
Christian Dior – Lady Dior
During an official visit to Paris in 1995, France’s First Lady Bernadette Chirac presented Princess Diana with a Dior handbag then known as the Chouchou. Diana immediately adopted it as part of her wardrobe, pairing it with everything from her tailored suits to formal gowns — she even carried it to children’s hospitals and to the 1996 Met Gala.
So inseparable was the princess from her Dior bag that it quickly became a hallmark of her style. Recognizing this bond, the house of Dior officially renamed the design Lady Dior the following year — an homage to the princess who embodied grace, modernity, and quiet strength.
Gucci – Jackie
Gucci’s famous hobo-style handbag, first introduced as the Fifties Constance, found new life — and a new name — in the late 1960s. When former U.S. First Lady Jackie Kennedy Onassis transitioned from her White House years into a more relaxed, cosmopolitan lifestyle, this simple shoulder bag became her constant companion. With its softly curved shape, minimalist clasp, and fluid silhouette, the bag perfectly complemented Jackie’s effortless, polished look. Constantly photographed with it slung over her shoulder, she turned the piece into a symbol of refined yet casual elegance. Gucci soon renamed it the Jackie.
Over the years, the Jackie has been reinvented by designers from Tom Ford to Frida Giannini and Alessandro Michele, each adding their own era-defining twist. Today, it remains a Gucci icon — a bridge between past and present, sophistication and spontaneity.
Ferragamo – Sofia
The bond between Sophia Loren and Salvatore Ferragamo goes far beyond that of actress and designer; it’s a friendship rooted in shared origins. Both hailed from Naples, where Ferragamo honed his craft as a young shoemaker and Loren spent her childhood.
During the golden age of Italian cinema, Loren became one of Ferragamo’s most loyal muses — alongside Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn — famously wearing his handcrafted shoes both on screen and on the red carpet. To honor this enduring relationship, Ferragamo introduced the Sofia bag in its Spring/Summer 2009 collection. With its sculptural form, structured top handle, and signature metal Gancini clasp, the Sofia merges Ferragamo’s artisanal heritage with modern-day sophistication. More than just a bag, it is a tribute to the timeless elegance and warmth of Sophia Loren herself.
Cover Photo: Mike Daines_Shutterstock / Courtesy of Sotheby’s
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