The It Bag of 2009 Is Back: Welcome the Alexander Wang Ricco

In 2009, Vlad and I were newlyweds and decided to move to NYC to try out ultimate big-city living for a year (we stayed for 5, but that’s a different story). It was also during the height of the it-bag era, with specific bags creating insane amounts of craze.

2009 saw the Alexander Wang Rocco become the bag to have. It was a welcomed bag for many reasons, namely, the studs that defined the bag and sat alongside the bottom were so different from what was on the market. The leather was thick and pebbled, and various sizes and variations were released, each offering a different take on the instant classic.

Celebrities galore were spotted carrying the bag. The design defined that time and reminded me of my time in NYC. I remember seeing this bag in the wild and feeling an intense longing for the bag. Actually, we talked to someone at a Chipotle in Midtown and took a picture of her bag!

Introducing the new Ricco

Today, the nostalgia is back with the Alexander Wang Ricco. With modernized touches, the Ricco brings back all the aspects of its predecessor that I loved with a more practical implementation.

The original was quite heavy, and the bag didn’t always hold its shape well. The Ricco utilizes trapezoidal studs that are 30% lighter than the original, which makes a big difference in overall weight (Vlad even commented on the bag being far lighter than he assumed).

With its notable prominent grain, the thick leather is another central standout element of the Ricco, which also ties back to the original Rocco. The leather is asking to be felt, and it is incredibly soft and smooth, as it’s made from lambskin, but also thick and durable. The added dimensionality from how the grain is developed makes this bag appear more tactile.

Another important construction element is the singular seam design. This streamlines the entire bag, resulting in a natural slouch while retaining the bag’s shape. This upgrade will allow the bag to wear better with each use over time.

The Details

There are two sizes, medium and small. Both come with two removable and adjustable shoulder straps. These are added by the buckle closure on either side, and you’ll notice the strap length is different on each side, which adds an unexpected break in the symmetry.

The medium features a flap-top magnetic closure, and its interior size is more similar to the original. The small has a double zip-top closure and is meant for more pared-down essentials. The small size is $850, while the medium is $1,050.

When I heard this bag was coming back, I was excited. You know how certain songs or smells take you back to a specific time and point in your life? Certain bags do it for me. I remember this bag being one that I truly obsessed over. I even had a sketch of myself done for a project, and the artist asked me what I would be carrying to add, so I said the Rocco!

Check out the Alexander Wang Ricco now!