It’s no exaggeration to say that Yves Saint Laurent is one of the most influential names in fashion history. Since his first foray into the industry as a designer for Dior, to the launch of his eponymous brand that revolutionised womenswear, his legacy still lives on till today.
Launched in 1961 by Yves and Pierre Bergé, maison Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) got their start as a couturier and focused mainly on clothing, unlike other luxury fashion brands that usually began with a history of producing leather goods. YSL was a couture house that created looks for Paris’ socialites of the time, but Yves soon fell tired of designing solely for the rich and high society.
In 1966, YSL became the first to popularise ready-to-wear fashion with the launch of Rive Gauche, which was the first ready-to-wear boutique opened by a couturier under his name. Bringing the same care to the ready-to-wear collection as they did with YSL’s couture pieces, the Rive Gauche collection transformed the concept of ready-to-wear for women, and for men as well in 1969.
The same year in 1966, YSL also released Le Smoking – the first ever tuxedo suit for women, once again changing the landscape of fashion by proving that menswear could also be for women. The fashion arm of the brand officially changed its name to Saint Laurent in 2012 under the direction of then-creative director Hedi Slimane, in direct reference to the original name of their first ready-to-wear line: Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, while the original YSL logo designed by Cassandre in 1963 remains as the brand’s main image.
When it comes to handbags, YSL first foray into them came in 1966 as part of the Rive Gauche line, and since then (under the direction of Slimane and current creative director Anthony Vaccarello) have grown to become the go-to choice for handbags that never go out of style. The faves of many a Hollywood A-lister (Angelina Jolie, Kate Moss, Gisele Bündchen, and Zoe Kravitz, just to name a few), as well as seen on the shoulders of brand ambassadors and forever it-girls Hailey Bieber and BLACKPINK’s Rosé, investing in a YSL bag is a wise choice.
Thanks to the clear creative vision passed on since the beginning, every YSL handbag ever launched retains a sense of timelessness, which makes it a lifelong accessory that will never go out of style.
New classics have been released alongside legacy favourites, quickly rising in the ranks to being the most coveted in the scene. Their more recent trendy silhouettes like the Icare tote (which is often credited for making the big bag trend in luxury fashion) and the Jamie 4.3 bags are sure to stay relevant in the years to come and join their list of iconic bags.
But until then, here are seven of Saint Laurent’s signature and recognisable designs that is sure to be a fashion staple on your arm.
Kate
The first thing we think of when thinking about a YSL handbag is the elegant and timeless Kate. Clean and simple, this single flap bag can be styled as a clutch or with a chain as a shoulder bag. Punctuated by the YSL hardware on the centre, there’s no mistaking the Kate. The longevity of this silhouette, which has been in the brand’s repertoire since 2010, is a true testament to the house’s design sense and the bag’s namesake – the iconic Kate Moss. Available in small and medium, and with the option of a tassel, the Kate is the perfect day-to-night clutch to throw on.
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Loulou
One of Anthony Vaccarello’s first icons that he launched in his year of appointment in 2017, the Loulou was named after one of the brand’s longtime muses and employees, Loulou de la Falaise. It introduced a new style that took the leather accessories industry by storm: padded leather. Instantly recognisable by the plush padded leather and Y-shade chevron quilting, the Loulou puts a fun twist on the timeless silhouette of an envelope flap soft bag, creating a unique look that’s youthful, practical and elegant. Available in the super-cute toy size, small, medium and large, the Loulou is the right choice for the on-the-go it-girl that demands both style and space in her bag.
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Sunset
Bursting o nto the scene in 2016, the Sunset bag is another recognisable icon with its structured rectangular shape and YSL-hardware adorned flap closure. The main line silhouette features the chain shoulder strap fixed to the top of the bag on the outside, but the Sunset also comes in satchel form with a leather strap, or with a top handle for an alternate way of carrying it. It’s recognised by the open pocket on the front, which peeks out from under the flap, and together with its accordion sides, will fit more than you think in the spacious interior.
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Le 5 à 7
A more recent addition to the list of YSL icons, the Le 5 à 7 shoulder bag became an instant favourite. First released in 2021, its popularity over the past few years have spawned an entire category of bags for the brand. From the original Le 5 à 7 shoulder bag (which brings us right back to the early 2000s with its short strap and thin profile) to the Le 5 à 7 Supple and Le 5 à 7 Bea ranges that lean into the bucket and tote forms, there’s a bag for every occasion here. The original Le 5 à 7 is also available in mini size; the Supple comes in baby, small and large; while the Bea comes in one size for those who want to rock Le 5 à 7 with more practicality.
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Le Sac de Jour
2013 saw the launch of the Sac de Jour, meaning ‘bag of the day’ in French, and it was an incredibly minimalist and functional design that seemed a departure from what YSL was known for before. Devoid of metallic hardware, and ignoring the rising trend of logomania that we saw throughout the 2010s, the Sac de Jour was practical and simple. Choosing to go without even the iconic YSL logo and opting instead for a subtle gold embossing of the brand name on the top of the bag, the Sac de Jour took the world by storm. The bag’s form remains largely unchanged despite the improvements made to the bag, and over the seasons more forms were added to the Sac de Jour range, like the duffle shape, supple leather version and the men’s range. But still, the original proves the most sought-after, and we think its no longer just the bag of the day, but the bag of a lifetime.
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Manhattan
While the Sac de Jour was born from the mind of Hedi Slimane, the Manhattan is Anthony Vaccarello’s take on the square structured bag. Released in 2019, the Manhattan quietly grew to become a fan-favourite, with its addition of a flap closure and hardware that sets it apart from the Sac de Jour. The inspiration for the name is clear, owing to the almost professional, briefcase-like look to the structure, with belted closure and accordion sides. Originally launched as a satchel, and then with a leather strap for crossbody wear, the top handle version of the Manhattan hit the market in 2023, offering more versatility. Available in mini, small and medium, as well as a longer tote size.
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Le 37
Another new classic we can credit to the genius mind of Anthony Vaccarello, Le 37 is YSL’s take on the bucket bag, with its wide bottom, open top and single-strap closure. First released in the pre-fall 2023 collection, Le 37 doesn’t look like a new release, thanks to its timeless design that fits right into the maison’s design code. Hitting the market in the hands of global ambassador Rosé, Le 37 achieved immediate it-bag status with its clean design accentuated by the small YSL Cassandre hardware on the strap closure. Le 37 can be carried with the top handle or slipped around the shoulders to complete any look, and comes in multiple materials from the event-ready shiny leather to the dressed-down casual affair of raffia and canvas. Also available in mini, small, long, and oversized.
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Photos: YSL and Net-A-Porter.