Alaïa has long been a favorite for many. While sometimes more under the radar than other luxury brands, Alaïa has its brand loyalists like most designers. Recently though, an unlikely It-bag put Alaïa in our collective minds, catapulting the brand back into our consciousness.
Since then, the fashion world has been giving the brand’s bags much more attention, rightfully so!
Crushing On You
Alaïa’s Heart bag, aka Le Cœur, which of course means heart in French, first hit the scene in 2022, coinciding with the release of the brand’s Winter/Spring 2022 collection, which was an ode to the late Azzedine Alaïa, the House’s founding couturier.
In true It-bag mania, the bag quickly became a beloved choice, spotted outside fashion shows in the arms of editors, influencers, and the like and popping up all over social media. It was even one of the most-wanted products of the first quarter of 2023, according to Lyst.
While the heart bag silhouette is nothing new, it’s not often that one becomes an It-bag, but Alaïa’s version struck a chord thanks to its curved lines and more minimal take on the classic heart shape. It’s playful and fun, yes, but it doesn’t feel juvenile, and its size is great for day-to-night wear.
Pieter Mulier, creative director of Alaïa, told Harper’s Baazar, “More than just a bag, Le Cœur is a pure voluminous shape. Volumes and sculptural shapes are at the core of my inspiration, and Le Cœur is also, in a way, a classic motif of elegant simplicity.”
That elegant simplicity remains a favorite of the street style set, and while we’ve most often seen the black and red versions carried, the range continues to expand. Pastel hues of blue, pink, and yellow are perfect for the warmer months to come.
Shop the Le Cœur via Neiman Marcus.
featured image via @paulwarmerofficial