Given the kind of money and access that most celebrities have, you’d probably carry some wildly expensive handbags. And almost without exception, they do—we keep pretty close tabs on who’s carrying what, and the vast majority of them switch bags frequently and always have something notable on their arms. The bags in question usually cost anywhere from around a $1,500 to well into the five figures, both because wealth means you get used to buying and having nice things and because celebrities and brands have symbiotic relationships that means the right celebrity carrying the right bag is good for both parties involved.
That’s why I’m always a bit surprised to see a celebrity (and especially a well-established one) carrying a bag from a contemporary brand—why would they, other than genuinely liking the bag? Most contemporary brands are smaller and run independently of large fashion conglomerates, so unlike global luxury brands, they don’t have the budgets to create significant relationships with celebrities over time or have stars carry their bags as part of lucrative campaign and endorsement deals. Celebrities get free stuff all the time, so simply having a bag show up on their doorstep usually isn’t enough to grease the wheels of paparazzi picture glory, either. That’s why Mansur Gavriel‘s success among the ultra-famous is particularly notable: you usually only get this kind of saturation among stars when the bags in question are much more expensive.
We’ve been following Mansur Gavriel’s rise since the brand’s super-popular bucket bags first showed up (and promptly sold out) in 2013, and as someone who’s been carrying MG bags pretty consistently since then, I can attest to why people of any income bracket would be drawn to them: they’re simple and ultra-lightweight, and most of the styles come in a rainbow of colors; the smaller styles are almost all deceptively roomy. If you’re looking for a chic bag that is actually functional and won’t overwhelm your outfit, look no further. To get an idea of how celebrities have styled their Mansur Gavriel bags, take a look below.
Reese Witherspoon
Mansur Gavriel Tote, $525 via Mansur Gavriel
Naomi Watts
Mansur Gavriel Mini Bucket Bag, $495 via Mansur Gavriel
Sienna Miller
Mansur Gavriel Hobo Bag, $495 via Mansur Gavriel
Sienna Miller
Mansur Gavriel Crossbody Bag, $495 via Mansur Gavriel
Christie Brinkley
Mansur Gavriel Backpack, $995 via Mansur Gavriel
Priyanka Chopra
Mansur Gavriel Metropolitan Bag, $945 via MATCHESFASHION.COM
Busy Philipps
Mansur Gavriel Bucket Bag, $545 via Mansur Gavriel
Maggie Gyllenhaal
Mansur Gavriel Lady Bag, $1,050 via Mansur Gavriel
Karlie Kloss
Mansur Gavriel Lady Bag, $895 via Mansur Gavriel
Elizabeth Berkley
Mansur Gavriel Lady Bag, $895 via Mansur Gavriel
Ashley Graham
Mansur Gavriel Tote, $585 via Mansur Gavriel
Gigi Hadid
Mansur Gavriel Lady Bag, $895 via Mansur Gavriel
Giada di Laurentiis
Mansur Gavriel Tote, $615 via Mansur Gavriel
Busy Philipps
Mansur Gavriel Mini Bucket Bag, $610 via Mansur Gavriel
Caitriona Balfe
Mansur Gavriel Bucket Bag, $545 via Mansur Gavriel
Miranda Kerr
Mansur Gavriel Bucket Bag, $595 via Mansur Gavriel
Rosie Huntington-Whiteley
Mansur Gavriel Bucket Bag, $625 via Mansur Gavriel
Solange Knowles
Mansur Gavriel Circle Bag, $1,095 via Mansur Gavriel
Kate Walsh
Mansur Gavriel Bucket Bag, $595 via Mansur Gavriel
Naomi Watts
Mansur Gavriel Mini Backpack, $625 via Mansur Gavriel
Elizabeth Banks
Mansur Gavriel Crossbody Bag, $495 via Mansur Gavriel
Jane Krakowski
Mansur Gavriel Small Tote, $525 via Mansur Gavriel
Kris Jenner
Mansur Gavriel Backpack, $895 via Mansur Gavriel
Jennifer Garner
Mansur Gavriel Small Tote, $525 via Mansur Gavriel
Alessandra Ambrosio
Mansur Gavriel Bucket Bag, $595 via Mansur Gavriel
Kirsten Dunst
Mansur Gavriel Bucket Bag, $595 via Mansur Gavriel
I love them since 2013 too, they are my most used bags and I love that vegetable tanned leather just gets better with time! It might not feel like it after a first scratch but it’s so unique after it acquires its patina.
I am liking these the more that i see them. However, they look like they scratch easily, is that the case?
The do scratch extremely easily – I haven’t seen a single floor model without scratches, even at the most high-end stores where an SA is helping you all the time. But I was discussing with one of the SAs; it’s part of their charm, for the people who buy them. It’s stiff leather that scratches easily, but the buyer knows this already, kind of like getting, say, a calf leather couch – you don’t expect it to look new for long, if ever.
I don’t actually like the bags, but I agree with the SA (and Mansur Gavriel fans) that the scratching isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and if anything means you can use it freely, without worry (I’m looking at you, Celine box bag that I’m scared to touch!).
Everlane has very similar tote for under 200 $ and it made in Italy … i owned 2 and i enjoy them a lot !
I love mine! I have the small backpack in black. The few scratches it has gotten are barely noticeable. I love how light it is. I also keep the top tucked in most of the time for easier access, plus I like the look of it better. I keep my wallet on the bottom and a small pouch on top in case anyone tries to reach in. It also got completely soaked in the rain once and dried out quickly with no damage. I like that it’s clean and minimal and where I live, I’ve never seen another person with it.
I wish the shoulder strap on the bucket bag were wider. It looks like it would dig into the shoulder
I’ve never felt like mine has dug into my shoulder and partially it is because even when I stuff the bag, the bag itself is so light it helps with the weight overall.
The leather looks pretty stiff.
It’s intentional.
Still a big “no” for me. So boring its not worth carrying.
Amen.
These bags would be great to customize (to go along with PB’S previous article); I especially love that painted one. It’s funny that none of these celebrities’ MG bags have developed much of a patina – just goes to show how many bags they buy/receive! If I had one I’d use it until it got worn in, but none of the designs are really speaking to me yet. But I’m sure I’ll see one eventually that is a must-have!
Actually, I was going to point out the contrary. Many of the bags in these photos look very well used!
I have quite a few MG bags and my obsession never ends! To me, the more they age, the more chic they become. There is nothing else comparable to what they have going on for them out there except maybe Celine box leathers. I just cannot get enough and I hope they never change and stay true to their original design! The feeling of holding one and the smell is like no other! 🙂
I owned two mini mini bucket bags. They were very stiff so I ended up consigning both of them. I’ve since had the opportunity to visit the new store in LA and purchased the small crossbody. I really like this bag. Simplicity is nice sometimes. Prefer leather option to vegetable.
It cracks me up that Kris Jenner is also carrying a Birkin. I don’t think she would ever want to be seen carrying only a bag that sells for under $1,000.
I love my brandy large bucket. It really looks 10x better than the day I got it. Beautiful patina on the outside and beautiful blue inside. . It reminds me of those mulberry oak bayswater bags- better with age
I want Solange’s circle bag.
This is an old article I just came across in my research for purchasing my first MG bag. You can tell a lot of these celebs are really using the bags consistently due to the scuffs on the veg tanned models giving them a well worn look, they’re not just for marketing pics. The curled end adjustable strap on Busy Phillips red mini bucket bag is a sign that is a well worn bag.
*Yawn*