Why I Need a Birkin Bag
THIS ARTICLE IS ABOUT MY UNHEALTHY LOVE FOR BAG DESIGN AND I'M NOT SORRY
Warning: This is a petition for real big bags to come back.
Can we bring back that one-handbag culture our parents had, or is it just an age thing? Not necessarily having only one bag, but I remember when I was younger, my mum had this bag that could hold it all. And yes, the bag would change, but they all had the same essence—a big mum bag. Maybe it's just me, but I love me a good (mum) bag.
If you could only carry one bag for the rest of your life, which bag would it be?
Mine would be a Birkin—and not for the reasons you think or even the Birkin you think it is. My bag philosophy is this: high quality, so I can treat it exactly how a bag is meant to be treated (ask my bags, they’ll tell you).
The original “Birkin” that Jane Birkin carried was actually a wicker basket. And I can totally relate—she was probably thinking about convenience and functionality. Sigh Every girl’s dream, right? I know bag sizes keep getting smaller and smaller. Most of the time, I wonder what the point is. Like, there's a size we get to, and it’s like, come on now. I was this close to getting a Baba Tree basket bag, but the price tag slowed me down a bit (it’s totally worth it, though).
Close enough, no?
So when I say I need a Birkin, I’m talking about Big Bag Energy with superior leather craftsmanship—so I can treat it like a bag without worrying about its monetary value.
Also, I’m really craving a leather goods brand in Africa (Nigeria) to rise up in terms of craftsmanship, quality, and carriage. We have the raw materials, so what's the hold-up? Is no one genuinely interested in bringing about the next Bottega Veneta from Africa?
What I find even more alluring than bag design is the history…
I feel this is an element missing from design in Africa (Nigeria)—the historical component and its influence on our creations. It’s more common in visual and literary arts, but it hasn’t quite reached fashion or even interior design. I’ve wondered why. Why do international fashion houses have so much historical depth? Yes, they’ve been around for longer, but I also think it’s because they document everything—which isn’t an approach we’re as familiar with. Add to that the fact that much of our culture was washed away and heavily influenced by the West. Imagine the motifs that could have inspired design but are now lost, replaced with something Western.
All hope isn’t lost, though. There’s still so much around us to draw inspiration from—perhaps niche happenings that haven’t been documented or documented well.
Speaking of bag design, shall we take a look at what 2025 fashion has brought us in terms of bags?
Creative Directing Done Right…
LF Forever Loved
Remember when I spoke about sustainability—how designers can create more sustainably by using deadstock fabrics? I referenced Kadiju’s first collection, which was made using deadstock fabrics. Well, Lisa Folawiyo recently launched LF Forever Loved, a genius idea that repurposes their own deadstock fabrics from previous collections.
His Submission for the Loewe Foundation Craft Prize
His TM Bench w/Bowl became a finalist for the 2025 running of this prize.
Doechii’s Grammy Do
I absolutely loved the creativity of this. It reminds me of a similar idea I had—I just know hairstylists are cooking after seeing this… hopefully. I trust that Nifemilarj is.
Bye for now! Till next time.
You Creative Genius.
You’re convincing me to be a bag person ooo
So witty I love it 🥰