Have Bag...Will Travel
- filed 1/8/2001

Big, bigger, biggest! That sums up the state of some of the best looking bags these days, and schlepping chicly has just gotten a whole lot easier!

I for one, am glad to see teeny tiny, bags (like Fendi's baguettes) fade into fashion oblivion- well, okay, maybe not quite. But the trend, which was seen on the runways for spring/summer 2001, has been to oversized bags and satchels, for both men and women, some which can almost double as suitcases!


I think we can credit Marc Jacobs, for really getting this movement underway with his 'jet set' fall/winter 1999-2000 collection for Louis Vuitton in Paris. He sent male and female models down the runway carrying the signature oversized red and purple patent vernis monogram duffles, suitcases and 'carry-ons'. And for his latest collection for the house- spring/summer 2001- his collaboration with 80's icon Stephen Sprouse resulted in enormous bags in various shapes, all spray painted with Stephen's eye-popping and graphic signature graffiti. These were currently spotted in the window of the new Louis Vuitton flagship on Fifth Avenue and 55th street, and will undoubtedly be this season's collector's items.


And there are other versions currently on display in store windows around town: Hermes, on Madison Avenue and 62nd street, has long been a proponent of 'bigger is better', with their large, roomy, luxurious, and very expensive satchels.


Bottega Veneta, at 60th and Madison, has a chocolate brown crocodile 'travel' bag. And Prada has been showing large bags for men and women for some time now, as epitomized by their current selection of bowling bags, doctor's satchels, and 'suitcases'. Their handsome beige linen/luggage leather 'traveling' bag defines this minimal, sophisticated, and chic look.

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