Mulberry is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, kicking off the landmark moment with a number of exciting collaborations. “Mulberry Editions” is a series of limited-edition capsules by leading creatives who have been invited to put their own spin on the house’s design DNA. And for one of its latest (and most exciting) “Mulberry Editions” drops, the heritage British brand turned to Alexa Chung, a long-time friend of the house.
The television presenter, fashion designer, former model and ‘It’ girl, was the inspiration for one of the luxury fashion company’s most iconic bags, the “Alexa” back in 2010. And since she didn’t design the original version, she has described the opportunity to create her own Mulberry bag and have a more hands-on role for this new venture as “a dream come true.”
“Mulberry has always been a brand that’s very close to my heart. The “Alexa” represents a moment in my life that I’m extraordinarily proud of and feel really lucky to have experienced. It’s nostalgic and sentimental and sweet and joyful. This time, I wanted to create something that straddled what the bags mean to me personally but could become that for someone else’s wardrobe. I wanted to make sure that it would endure, become a future classic,” the 37-year-old “Next in Fashion” star said about her design debut for the house. “I welcome this extension of a relationship that’s been unfolding over decades. We do all like an origin story and something authentic, and I suppose it doesn’t get more authentic than this. In my mind it’s been quite a romantic journey.”
The capsule stars two styles, a roomy shoulder bag called the “Big Guy,” and a compact clutch, the “Little Guy.” Both bags are suitable for taking you from day to night and are a practical addition to your wardrobe as they are a perfect companion to just about any kind of occasion. With their pared back aesthetic, they are reminiscent of the effortless, sleek styles which were seen on 70s style icons like Charlotte Rampling and Lauren Hutton. The arm candy by the designer who started her eponymous line in 2017 also draw on the key components of her personal style, masculine formality offset with a vintage romance and a deep appreciation for British design.
In a nod her shared history with Mulberry, the "phenomenon," as Anna Wintour of American “Vogue” once described her, took inspiration from the “Alexa,” which proved to be just as covetable when it was relaunched in 2020. The “Big Guy” and “Little Guy” feature chain straps and a boxy, slick silhouette, like the vintage satchels and the “Elkington” briefcase that inspired the original “Alexa.”
The colour palette ranges from classic, earthy shades (Black, Dark Chocolate, Tan) to perky, bright tones (Apple Green, Denim Blue). Materials include glossy crocodile-effect patent leather, sumptuous velvet and suede. Plus, an edit of complementary “Alexa” bags, which are released in the same hues, have been launched alongside the line-up.
The collection chimes with Mulberry’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and responsible manufacturing too.The bags are crafted from materials which are sourced from environmentally rated tanneries, made in Mulberry’s carbon neutral Somerset factories.
