Way back in 2012 when Instagram was in its early years, the term ‘influencer’ wasn’t even a thing. At the same time, two New York City based designers founded a minimalist bag brand known for its high quality Italian leathers and simplistic designs. Mansur Gavriel was born at the perfect time. Brands were beginning to realize the power of social media marketing and Mansur Gavriel was able to capitalize on the social media boom.
Mansur Gavriel’s Bucket Bag was an instant hit. The bag continued to sell out launch after launch and I myself vividly remember stalking Mansur Gavriel’s account to keep track of the next drop. Naturally, Instagram ‘influencers,’ known only as bloggers back then, flocked to the now beloved brand, which eventually expanded into shoes and then RTW.
The success of Mansur Gavriel is not to be undermined, as creating and designing an incredibly successful new bag brand is no easy feat, but it worked in part because it was something new and fresh. Handbag lovers weren’t used to quality bags and simplistic designs at affordable prices. Mansur Gavriel bags were a tangible reality for the working girl who loved fashion. It’s arguable that the minimalist bag brand boom started in large part due to Mansur Gavriel’s popularity. Now, even in spite of the logo love trend, simplistic bags with minimal design elements are everywhere.
The saying “less is more” is used often in fashion, and Coco Chanel was once quoted as saying one should look in the mirror and remove one thing before leaving the house. But at a certain point, is less actually just less?
Emma Roberts was recently out spotted carrying a black embossed croc bag shaped exactly like a brown paper bag. There were no easily identifiable design elements and at first glance, the bag appeared to be a version of Medea‘s popular Prima Hanna Bag, but then I realized the straps were a bit off. Another photo showed teeny tiny gold writing on the otherside of the bag, and with some digging I discovered the bag was by a brand I had never heard of before called Chylak.
According to Vogue, Chylak makes bags that are “chic, influencer-friendly and don’t cost a month’s rent”. Chylak’s bags are pretty, simplistic and affordable, and there is nothing inherently bad about them except for the fact that they could easily be mistaken for another influencer-loved indie bag brand. While I understand the demand for simpler designs that aren’t overly branded or logo heavy, some of these brands are starting to all look the same, which is turning me off from the minimalist movement all together. Nothing truly sets many of these indie brands apart from each other, and it’s sort of irritating that their only selling point is that they are beloved by influencers.
At a certain point is less actually just less?
No.
Yes
Yes
I roll my eyes at “influencers” as much as the next person, but I LOVE unbranded (read minimalist(?)) goods and, especially, handbags since they’re so over-logo’d. Sometimes it seems like the entire point of the bag is just to stamp yourself with a luxury brand’s logo. I want my expression/style to speak for itself, not how overpriced a good is because of the logo on it- it makes me feel like a sucker. Having said that, there are some brands that I think are wonderful examples in the industry (such as humane/less environmentally impactful manufacturing practices, etc.) or are historic/heritage brands (such as J.W. Hulme- except they just closed their century-hold manufacturing house last year to manufacture overseas :-((((((), so I am proud to tote their logo around.
I have no problem with the concept of “Less is More” of course this NEVER applies to a price tag! Also as a person that went through four years of design school it really annoys me to no end to have to work with someone that can’t tell the difference between grain leather and whole grain waffles.
I wouldn’t recognize an “influencer” if I fell over one..I just like what I like. Indie brands deserve their chance in the sun though, so it sounds like a good thing for a fledgling design firm.
I am by no means a minimalist but I actually like this bag- also, what a dumb way to describe a brand, Vogue. If “chic, influencer-friendly and don’t cost a month’s rent” is all you can say about a brand, seems to me like it’s not a brand worth talking about.
I’m tired of influencers anything.
agree – influencers are the death of these small brands
thank you
I love supporting small bag brands, but influencers = influenzas.
For me, MG also stands out because they have color choices beyond the minimalist pre-approved 3-4 neutral shades.
I’ve seen various photos of Emma carrying this bag and I wondered who made it. It actually looks like a croc-stamped bag by Vince.
Finally, someone said it! I totally agree. Pushing cheap product on influencers for free and then charging an exorbitant amount to us plebeians for what? Something that has zero staying power? By a brand everyone heard of like yesterday?
I’d rather invest in a piece I love that I know has staying power and less of a fast-fashion environmental impact (which is still bad, I know).
Influencers? ? I can’t imagine the type of people they “influence” because who follows them or cares what they do? It’s so much better to be a leader and make your own choices then to “follow” someone else.
bags can change the perspective of others towards us….. nice designs.
Just as I don’t buy because it’s what others do, I don’t see the point in getting irritated over what they do either. There’s so many bags I do like; why focus on the ones I don’t?
I would call these bags simple, but not simplistic.
I would call these bags simple, but not simplistic.
I couldn’t agree more with this article except I would like to add one thing, they are not actually very affordable if you dig a bit deeper. The Chylak bags, for example, become more and more expensive if you decide you might need an extra strap, as these are purchased separately.
Minimalist is wonderful when it is done well with Celine being so good at this – using exceptional leather and bespoke hardware combined with unique shapes and meticulous finishing.
It says a lot about us when an “influencer” can make us buy something that is pretty ordinary for a substantial sum just because they say so! Have you seen the movie “The Great Hack”??? How easily “managed” are we – it is frightening.
I prefer to look for quiet brands that have integrity. They use beautiful leather, are finished immaculately and really care about what they make. Have you seen a little known Australian handbag brand called Cecily Clune? They make small numbers of beautiful handbags by a Japanese artisan – and they are well priced. They are exquisite and take it up to the big brands in every way. They just don’t scream at us. I like that.
I own 2 MG bags a mini and mini mini bag and they are my favorite bags. They go with everything and I just needed an everyday bag that didn’t cost an arm and a leg. I first saw MG here on purseblog but actually haven’t seen that much social media with it
THIS!
Why buy a super overly trendy $400 no name bag you will toss in a year when you can invest in a classic style that you will use for a decade?