One of the unsung particularities of New York Fashion Week is the vast spectrum of celebrities in brings out over its eight-day run. There aren’t a lot of parties that could draw both Paris Hilton and Barbara Walters, but at Fashion Week, there’s literally a spot for any celeb who’s interested in cashing a check and sitting upright in the front row for a few minutes. In the interest of journalism (or, you know, something similar!), we felt it our duty to catalog the handbags that these celebs toted into and out of the tents over the past week.
For reasons that I cannot totally explain, there was a ton of Chanel and less Hermes than one might expect. Also popular: a bag from whatever designer’s show you’re attending (or, in the case of models, that you just walked in). Below, the bags of everyone from the fashion-famous to the famous-famous, plus a bunch of people somewhere in between.
Let’s start with model (and John Legend fiancée) Chrissy Teigen, if for no other reason than that she’s funny on Twitter and I like her all-black getup. Her bag of choice was the Saint Laurent Betty Shoulder Bag. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $2,150.
Despite the relative dearth of Hermes that I mentioned previously, there were a few Birkins to be found. Padma Lakshmi’s, for example.
Of course figure skater Johnny Weir carried an Hermes Birkin. That’s just how he rolls.
We’ll excuse you for not knowing who Michelle Violy Harper is (after all, we’re not entirely sure), but I’d recognize her Hermes Birkin anywhere.
Nicky Hilton, whose handbag collection is perhaps the best that we’ve ever profiled, toted her favorite Hermes Medor Clutch to the tents.
At first I thought Barbra Walters’ bag might be Hermes, but on further inspection, she’s just got her Ralph Lauren Ricky Bag flipped around the wrong way. Buy through Ralph Lauren for $2,500.
Not everyone carried incredibly expensive bags to Fashion Week. Here’s supermodel Karlie Kloss with a petite, affordable Coach Urbane Mini Crossbody Bag, which is a brand new design that’s not yet available. Shop Coach via the brand’s official site.
Karlie also sported the relatively accessibly priced Rebecca Minkoff Elle Mini Studded Satchel Bag. $395 via Neiman Marcus.
That doesn’t mean Karlie’s dedicated to tiny contemporary bags, though – her big, pricey Jason Wu Jourdan 2 Tote is on the opposite end of the spectrum. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1,895.
Supermodel Karen Elson was spotted carrying the same Jason Wu Jourdan 2 Tote, which makes us think they were probably a gift to models who walked in the designer’s show. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $1,895.
After the Michael Kors show, we spotted Karlie again, this time with a Michael Kors Miranda Tote. Fellow supermodel and Kors show-walker toted a Celine Phantom Luggage Tote. Pick up Karlie’s Kors tote for $1,195 via Bloomingdale’s.
Speaking of post-show models, Lindsey Wixson toted a Reed Krakoff Mini Atlantique Tote out of the Rodarte show. Pick one up for $1,290 via Saks.
Some stars carrying evening bags to fashion shows like they’re going to a swanky cocktail party, which I don’t entirely understand, but okay. Whatever. If I were going to go that route, I’d definitely choose something like Christina Hendricks’ Edie Parker Flavia Clutch. $1,095 via Neiman Marcus.
Rose McGowan also went with Parker, choosing instead the Edie Parker Lara Clutch. $995 via Matches Fashion.
For a daytime clutch look, model Nazanin Mandi’s Alexander Wang Pelican Clutch is a much better idea. Her boyfriend Miguel looks pretty good, too. Buy through Barneys for $750.
Nicky Hilton and her Valentino Rockstud Flap Clutch also have the day-to-night clutch scale conundrum solved. Buy a similar clutch for $1,695 via Bergdorf Goodman.
Katie Holmes and her Michael Kors Envelope Clutch are also a good daytime match. (Plus I kind of love her supremely ladylike outfit.) Shop Michael Kors via the brand’s official site.
Our photo service doesn’t love fierce magazine editors as much as we do, but we did find this picture of Giovanna Battaglia and her Bulgari Serpenti Shoulder Bag alongside Anna Dello Russo who is, sadly, not carrying anything. (Check out the Saint Laurent boots, though.) Pick up a similar bag for $2,650 via Bulgari.
Another industry-insider fave is Bergdorf Goodman fashion director Linda Fargo, seen here carrying a leopard print Loewe Amazona Bag. Shop Loewe via Neiman Marcus.
None other than ultra-supermodel Noami Campbell was also on the Loewe Amazona Bag bandwagon. Buy through Net-a-Porter for $2,650.
Actually, the supermodels-turned-personalities at Fashion Week provide some of our favorite bag-spotted, like Petra Nemcova carrying a Prada Saffiano Cuir Open Top Promenade Bag. Buy in brown for $2,390 via Neiman Marcus.
We also have the especially radiant Molly Sims carrying a tiny ZAC Zac Posen Mini Eartha Crossbody Bag to the designer’s show. Buy through Last Call for $147.
Not many people are in the business of carrying one of their own clutches to Fashion Week, but not many people are Victoria Beckham, either. Pick up a similar clutch for $595 via Net-a-Porter.
And then, probably the least expected bag at Fashion Week: Dylan Lauren carrying a LeSportsac Weekender Bag. (It makes more sense when you remember that her store, Dylan’s Candy Bar, just launched a candy-printed bag collab with LeSportsac.) Buy through LeSportsac for $168.
And now, ready yourself for a cavalcade of Chanel! We spotted more than ten celebs toting the venerable French brand, and we’ll start with the biggest example we could find: Christina Ricci and her enormous Chanel Classic Flap Bag.
Almost as big: Kelly Osbourne and her Chanel tote.
Rose McGowan’s Chanel Grand Shopping Tote also comes in at the larger end of the Chanel spectrum.
Selita Ebanks isn’t competing size-wise, but her Chanel Python Flap Bag does get points for exotics.
A post-show model (Crystal Renn) and her Chanel bag (a Chanel Classic Flap Bag) – is there a more typically Fashion Week sighting?
Why, yes there is – uber-stylist/designer Rachel Zoe, clad all in black, and her Chanel tote.
Surprise: People still invite Paris Hilton to fashion shows. For this one, she showed up in a daytime evening gown with a Chanel Quilted Clutch.
Model Nicole Trunfio and her petite Chanel Classic Flap Bag, on the other hand, kept things daytime-appropriate.
Fashion Week is at its best when someone like Goldie Hawn (carrying what I’m guessing is Chanel) shows up.
I’m into Giuliana Rancic’s Chanel Mini Flap Bag, of course, but I’m REALLY into her totally awesome bob.