Trends

Weird Trend Alert: The Bags Have Eyes

Some trends make sense. Navy! Chain Details! Fur and calf hair! All of those things, with their relatively heavy feel, sound right at home on a fall handbag. Or, you know, on a handbag in general. Somehow, though, handbags with eyes seem to be just as popular for the impending season. If you understand what all those words mean, but not necessarily in that order, read on below.

I’m not talking about the bags that have abstract “faces” made out of design elements like conveniently placed zippers or hardware bales. I’m talking about actual eyes, sometimes with lashes, that are intended to be the focal point of an entire handbag. If you feel something look at you this fall and just can’t place it, look down – it might be a fellow party-goer’s clutch.

Eyes are most commonly found in fashion through modern interpretations of the various global talismans, like the Egyptian Eye of Horus or charms meant to ward off the malevolent powers of the evil eye. Most famous are the hamsa charms of the Arab world, which feature an eye in the palm of a hand, but there’s nothing historical about these handbags. I’m getting a vaguely Illuminati-referencing vibe from Kenzo’s interpretation in particular, but beyond that, I have no idea how any of this happened, let alone how all these various designers, who generally have wildly varying collections, ended up on the eye motif all at the same time. Still, with this many eyes popping up on bags, it’s a bona fide trend.


Sylvia Toledano Looks Swarovski Clutch
$2,100 via Net-a-Porter

Sylvia Toledano Looks Swarovski Clutch


Lulu Guinness Patent Eye Coin Purse
$135 via Luisa Via Roma

Lulu Guinness Patent Eye Coin Purse


Charlotte Olympia Owl Eye Embroidered Velvet Pouch
$463 via Luisa Via Roma

Charlotte Olympia Owl Eye Embroidered Velvet Pouch


Kenzo Eye Embellished Leather Tote
$685 via Net-a-Porter

Kenzo Eye Embellished Leather Tote


Kotur Margo Surrealist Printed Clutch
$495 via Net-a-Porter

Kotur Margo Surrealist Printed Clutch


Wendy Nichol Eye of Horus Bullet Bag
$1,225 via Barneys

Wendy Nichol Eye of Horus Drawstring Bag


MCM Craig Redman Medium Pouch
$445 via Bloomingdale’s

MCM Craig Redman Medium Pouch


Vivienne Westood Anglomania Greek Eye Clutch
$315 via farfetch.com

Vivienne Westwood Anglomania Greek Eye Clutch

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