Through the years, It-girls and It-bags have been committed to a long-term relationship. There was Princess Diana and the Lady Dior, Mischa Barton and the Chloé Paddington, Carrie Bradshaw and the Fendi Baguette, Alexa Chung and the Mulberry Alexa – the list goes on. Point is, It-girls make It-bags and vice versa, and that still holds true in present times. And, drumroll, there’s a new entry to the accessories hall of fame. World, meet Balenciaga’s Le Cagole.
Looks familiar? Inspired by the brand’s noughties (h)It-bag – The City Bag – the style was religiously worn by the likes of Kate Moss and the Olsen twins. Le Cagole features some of the iconic hold-all’s signature features, from the flat metal studs to the grained leather, the tassels and buckles. But, and this is the important bit, it comes in a new, more polished shape. Unlike its roomy, rectangle older sister (recently relaunched as the Motorcycle Bag), the brand’s newest iteration comes croissant-shaped, smooth-cornered and decidedly smaller.
Offering a stealth nod to the Noughties’ frivolous shoulder-holder, it’s become the newest cool-girl marker. Case in point: Dua Lipa, Bella Hadid, Alexa Demie and Julia Fox, have all been spotted clutching the brand’s hero piece. What’s more, you can’t throw a stone without hitting a Demna-obsessed art student with a Cagole slung on their shoulder. In other words: the cool kids are ravenous for throwback bags.
“The Y2K trend has been a serious hit with our team, in particular, the nostalgic Balenciaga Cagole bag, which we can’t seem to keep in stock. The neon colourway is a personal favourite,” says head of womenswear buy at Brownsfashion, Heather Gramston.