Edited by Abdullah Faraz on July 23, 2024
A bag is a sac-like item that is used to carry belongings, groceries, and other small items. Initially, these bags were made of leather, cotton, or plant fibers. The fundamental concept of a bag was introduced to help people carry more items at a time. Thousands of years ago, during the Stone Age, our ancestors used this bag to collect fruits, tools, and fibers.
With the passage of time, the material and the shapes of the bag evolved. Nowadays, the most common bags are made up of disposable paper and plastic.
A Brief History of a Handbag
The first handbag was discovered back in 3350 BC. However, the latest discoveries show its traces in Anglo-Saxon eras. It was a leather bag filled with gold coins found in the tomb of King Reowald in 625 CE. Its material was totally decomposed.
Handbags were initially carried around their waists by men in ancient Egypt. However, in the later centuries, both men and women started wearing handbags around their waists or over their girdles. However, there was a modification. It developed a belt with two purses on each side.
Courtauld Bag
In the 1300s, a handbag named the Courtauld bag was discovered in Mosul. Its material is still intact. Now, it is kept in a museum as the oldest surviving bag.
Tasques
Europeans began crafting purses with fabric and leather. Young girls were taught to make purses with beautiful embroidery. These embroidered bags were given by the groom to the bride during their marriage ceremonies. These bags also reflect their social status. They named this ornamented bag monkeys or casques.
Chaneries
Later, these bags evolved into chanceries. Chaneries have a pouch shape. They used it to carry food and play several games. Females wore it at the level below their petticoats, and males wear inside their breasts or trousers.
During the 18th Century, reticules were developed. These were female bags with small wrist straps and a slender pouch. Females carried their fragrances in these bags.
Industrial Revolution
After the Industrial Revolution, there were many innovations in the shape and size of these bags. Different bags, such as clutches, pouches, or handbags were invented. They developed bags for different purposes. They developed suitcases and trucks for traveling.
20th Century
In the 20th Century, these purses became purely female items. Some philosophers even criticized females’ use of purses. Moreover, different companies started to manufacture bags of different shapes, materials, sizes, and colors. Their brand and structure become more important than their functionalities. People again started to show their wealth and status by carrying bags of expensive brands.
Along with this, their use cases also transformed. People started to use them for their businesses, education, traveling, and personal items. So, designers developed specialized bags to fulfill the needs of each use case. They manufactured specific laptop bags, book bags, business bags, travel bags, wallets, sling bags, small pouches, designer handbags, etc.
Birkin Bag History
Birkin bag is basically a tote bag. It comes with both features. It is a fashionable product with a large capacity. From the very start of its manufacturing, it becomes the symbol of luxury and wealth. It is included in one of the most expensive bags in the world.
The concept of the Birken bag was taken from a story. In 1983, the CEO of Hermes, Jean-Louis Damas, was traveling on a flight with the famous singer and actor Jane Birkin. When she was placing her items from her stylish signature bag into the overhead compartment, she spilled out all the items. Damas was helping her pick up her contents.
Here, she asked if there was any bag that was stylish and had enough capacity to carry all these necessary items. Damas discussed the bag that she considered ideal. He sketched that bag on the flight.
Hermes launched this bag in 1984, and they called it Birkin’s bag. In later years, its popularity skyrocketed. Especially when its name was used in an HBO series. Many celebrities started to buy it. That’s why its price is too high.
Coach Bags History
A coach bag is a small bag in a C-shape. It has both the classic style and amazing craftsmanship on it. Due to this, they remain one of the most expensive and popular handbags. Coach bags have a rich history. These bags have developed such a beautiful, stylish shape by passing through several stages.
In 1941, the company named Manhattan Leather Bags was founded by Lillian and Miles Cahn. Later, they developed a bag with the same attributes as they observed in their favorite baseball glove. Firstly, they developed a set of 12 handbags. They copied the characteristics of the material of baseball gloves by mixing the tan, supple, and high-quality leather. Then, stitch and craft them in beautiful shapes.
In the second stage of its development, this company was handed over to Bonnie Cashin in 1962. She transformed the products by using organic materials and brass toggle on them. Moreover, she worked to lighten the weight of the bags. The coach also experimented with several colors on the exterior of its bags, such as brick red, pastel pink, mustard yellow, and grass green.
Later, Richard Rose was appointed as an Executive Vice President. He not only marketed but also launched several departmental stores in different places. Then, the Coach best selling products become the saddle, the tote, and the tabby.
Hobo Bag History
The Hobo bag is a crescent-shaped handbag with a long strap. People wear this bag over their single shoulder through this long strap.
The idea behind the Hobo bags came from migrants in America at the end of the 19th Century who wore long strapped sacks and carried their belongings.
Moreover, they tied these sacks over their sticks. However, in 1936, the first Hobo bag was made and sold for 35 cents.
The founders of Hobo Bag, George and Lennie, loved their cultural history and expressed their love through these bags. Later, the Hobo bags were used in several documentaries and movies, and they became the main cause of popularity.
In 1991, Tony Ray bought this brand and started making these bags. She designed several Hobo designs and then manufactured them in their leather factory. Then, David Brewer joined, and they founded the Lauren Clutch-Wallet. This wallet boosted its popularity, and its sales reached over 1.5 million women.
In 2012, they launched their first retail store in Maryland. Then, they expanded their reach to several states.
Louis Vuitton Bag History
Louis Vuitton Bag is a leather trunk used to carry and secure items while traveling1. The concept of these bags was introduced by a 16-year-old boy, Louis Vuitton. He was traveling to Paris to learn trunk designing from Monsieur Marchal.
In 1854, Louis Vuitton launched his first store. He developed steamer trunks with a waterproof design. After this, he increased his team and hired 20 craftsmen to design his trunks. Later, in 1900, his business grew to 100 employees.
Along with his son, Georges Vuitton, he transformed the luggage bag locks into an ingenious closing system. Then, they developed a single lock system with two spring buckles. The popularity of this bag skyrocketed, especially when Louis challenged the great American Artist Houdini to escape from this box.
After this, they appointed a number of designers to make several luggage items. They not only continued innovations but also collaborated with other brands around the globe.
Fendi Pequin Bag History
Fendi is a luxurious brand with so many products. One of the most famous products is its handbag. This brand was launched as a small fur and leather shop in Rome by the Fendi family. Two of their family members, Adele and Edoardo Fendi, ran this boutique in 1932. Later, in 1946, all five sisters entered in this business as the second generation of the family.
Then, in 1966, Karl Lagerfeld joined as a creative director of this brand. He innovated many things, such as the company’s double F logo on all its products. Now, they expanded their reach to America and Japan. They made several products that included eyewear, jeans, and home furnishing accessories.
In the 1990s, the Fendi sisters innovated a luxurious Fendi Baguette. This stylish bag was bought by several celebrities, such as Madonna, Naomi Campbell, and others. This bag is the most sold product of Fendi till now.
Evolving of Bags
In the Stone Age, these bags were present in a sac-like shape. They gathered fruits and tools in these bags. In Ancient Egypt, the bags were used to carry the gold coins. In the Middle Ages, in the 14th and 15th centuries, these bags were worn around the waist. However, during the 16th and 17th centuries, fashion evolved, and they started to manufacture embroidered bags. These bags became the symbol of status and wealth.
In the 18th Century, the term handbags were introduced. However, at that time, bags were present in several shapes, sizes, and colors specialized for different purposes. The size of handbags becomes sleeker with the passage of time. However, the size of travel bags increases.
In the 19th Century, bags became the symbol of liberty for females. A number of brands started manufacturing bags with leather, plastic, and paper.
Nowadays, bags have evolved due to several scientific innovations. They had developed RFID chips in bags, USB ports in bags, and several other innovations.
Conclusion
This was a comprehensive history of different bags. Different bags come from different areas. These were actually invented to fulfill the needs. However, nowadays, these are used for style and fashion.
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