I am a sentimental person. I associate material items with feelings and memories, which makes the items I buy very special to me for a long time (and also means anyone peeking into my closet will assume I am a quasi-hoarder—whether they are right or not, I do not care to know). I have always dreamed of owning a Prada Fairy Bag because in addition to being an incredibly beautiful, unique piece and a total it-bag when it was released in 2008, it reminded me of my childhood and my love of fairy tales. The Prada Fairy bag remains one of the most talked about bags of the past, mainly because it was released as a very limited edition and remains the “one that got away” for so many of us.
For me personally, this bag was a total show stopper because of its artistic design. It can be difficult to create something completely new and unexpected, but the Fairy bag did just that. Artist James Jean, the creator behind the beautiful deerskin Prada Fairy Bag, blended art with fashion so intrinsically that it is a no brainer why it ended up having a 3 month+ wait list after its release.
This whimsical bag came in two sizes, a small and a large version. Upon its release a decade ago, the small version retailed for $2,290 and the large version retailed for $2,490. While that price point is fairly common with premier designer bags in 2018, in 2008 that was a pretty expensive purchase. For reference, the Louis Vuitton Speedy cost less than $600 in 2008 and is now a whopping $1,020 in 2018. This bag had an incredibly long wait list and was the it-bag of the season, with many wanting to get their hands on one but failing due to limited availability.
Despite having some drama surrounding the bag’s well known bleeding problem—likely due to the delicate deerskin leather—this bag still has a hold on me. My holy grail bags are ever changing, but the Fairy bag will remain a constant on my list. I searched furiously on all of my go-to luxury consignment shops and was disappointed that I didn’t yield very many results. It seems that even a decade later, this bag is still extremely rare. For now I will have to admire from afar and continue my search!
Did you have a Prada Fairy bag? If not, did you want one as much as I did? Shop Prada bags here.
Ok can we ease up on the Prada advertising? Two consecutive posts is a bit much.
This post isn’t advertising – it was planned long ago for the calendar! Previous post was a sponsored post (always marked as such) and they happened to fall back to back, but not planned!
We never try to do back to back like this and always keep in mind user feedback. Sometimes it happens!
I always liked the Fairy bag but way out of my price range. And it came out 10 years ago, wow time does fly.
Keep up the hunt, it will be yours some day!
Why would you not include a photo of the bag directly in the article?
Added a picture of the original campaign!
We’ll add!
They made a bunny version of the bag recently!
Not as iconic as the fairy. I don’t know. I’m a huge fan of the fairy, but the bunny lost its charm on me.
This is one bag I’m yearning for, too. I actually found one in an ok price in one of my frequent consignment shop and seriously contemplating getting it, but this one also has a bleeding on the back. And even though I love the bag, I can’t deal with the bleeding so I decided against it. Are there any Fairy bags that wouldn’t bleed? I don’t know if it’s a right or wrong decision since I still yearn for it even now. Yes, it’s definitely the one that got away.
I was one of the lucky ones to bag a Fairy bag in the big size. I missed the initial release at the stores, but this was when i had just joined tPF and I instantly fell in love with the bag when joined the Prada forums. I oohed and ahhhhed at all the pictures posted by other owners. I was lucky to see a link to one being for sale on the forum around mid 2009, so not too long after the official release and I instantly snapped it up. I have never regretted that ‘impulse’ buy. I was also worried about the bleeding problem but i think my bag was a later release and did not have that issue, I have been caught in the rain a few times. The bag was really a head turner and I think it contributed to me bagging a Birkin as a walk in in Paris with no H purchase history as despite the SA first saying there were no Bs in stock, we got to talking about my Fairy (was carrying it on the day), she admiring the paint job and viola, the exact B i was wanted appeared and I walked out with my HG. Beacause it is a somewhat delicate bag, I mostly keep it all protected in my closet but when I remember, I still carry my Fairy from time to time and i fall in love with it all over again.
I love this story! Wow, that really is incredible that you got your HG Birkin, and to think it was possibly from carrying your fairy bag! Magical! Also really nice to know your bag never bled. Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
I have one – purchased in Paris when they released. Had it held for me and was able to pick it up in the Prada store on the Left Bank. I bought the large size with the pink lining. It is very beautiful still and has a certain sheen to it – like fairy dust. I never use it when it is wet outside because of the bad publicity about the ink running. It still is one of my favorite bags and always gets attention when I use it. I don’t remember how much I paid for it in Paris, but probably less than what I would have paid in the US. It is still in perfect condition.
i picked up the Louis Vuitton Aquarelle two days ago, have been lusting after that bag since its release in 2008 but the resale prices can be so ridiculous! I lusted after the fairy as well, but its very rare to run across one of these. good luck with the hunt.
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Has it been 10 years since the Fairy bag? How time flies!
I still think about the 2nd collection of the Louis Vuitton x Yayoi Kusama collaboration. The bags looked bonkers but I really love the Papillon in yellow. I saw one in a 2nd hand shop abroad but it was expensive.
I love these bags, I am so upset I didn’t buy one. I am still kicking myself in the a$$ for passing these up.
I have a Prada fairy bag size small that I am looking to sell!
did you sell the bag?
I’ve just managed to get my hands on one, after years of searching!!!
I have a Prada Fairy bag for sale!
Are you still interested with a prada fairy bag?
Did you sell your bag ? Really wanting to purchase one
I purchased the Fairy bag from the Prada store in one of the Hawaiian Islands (maybe Maui) for $2100 in 2008. And….
traded it a few years later for a gorgeous (but more common) Chanel flap. I have hated myself for years. Worst seller’s regret ever