Bags: Inside Out
From rucksacks to despatch boxes, Birkin bags to Louis Vuitton luggage, Bags: Inside Out explored the style, function, design and craftsmanship of the ultimate accessory.
This exhibition is now closed at V&A South Kensington
Exhibition trailer
★★★★★ – Totes fabulous
The Guardian
![Mulberry](https://vanda-production-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/2020/02/19/12/34/49/95acbce0-5026-49d5-9c30-6c95eedb26dc/Mulberry_Logo.jpg)
Mulberry is a British luxury lifestyle brand that was founded in 1971 in Somerset, where we continue manufacturing leather bags to this day. We employ a community of craftspeople across our two factories and are proud of the responsible approach we take in creating exceptional accessories that are truly made to last.
Exhibition highlights
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Horse chestnut bag and purse, by Emily Jo Gibbs, 1996, UK -
Burse for the Great Seal of England, 1558 – 1603, England -
Model with Lait de Coco Evening Bag, Karl Lagerfeld, 2014 -
Lemière, opera bag and contents, about 1910, France -
Despatch Box owned by Winston Churchill, by John Peck & Son, about 1921, England -
'Baguette' bag, by Fendi, 2000, Italy -
Chatelaine, 1863 – 1885, probably England -
Dowry bag (bhujki), mid 20th century, Sindh, Pakistan -
'Fabergé Egg', evening bag, by Judith Leiber, 1983, US -
Mulberry 'Bayswater' and 'Alexa' bags from the private collections of Kate Moss and Alexa Chung, 2003 and 2010, England -
Tracey Emin for Longchamp, International Woman suitcase, 2004 -
‘Ocean Legend’ Falabella Go backpack, by Stella McCartney x Parley for the Oceans, Spring – Summer 2018, England -
Frog purse, 17th century
Past events
Features
![](https://assets-cdn.vam.ac.uk/2020/10/19/12/26/49/88000932-096a-40ad-aba3-08ffb30d51c4/320.jpg)
About the Bags: Inside Out exhibition
About the Bags: Inside Out exhibition
Find out more about our exhibition dedicated to the ultimate accessory
![](https://assets-cdn.vam.ac.uk/2020/12/08/16/52/54/762cbdd5-8ca2-4425-8695-e8d6b260938e/320.jpg)
Inside the Bags: Inside Out exhibition
Inside the Bags: Inside Out exhibition
Take a look inside the Bags: Inside Out exhibition
![](https://assets-cdn.vam.ac.uk/2020/12/03/15/16/48/b13bdced-8b6c-472e-8e66-976ebd24fd08/320.jpg)
Making bags
Making bags
Take a look at the complex process of making bags
![](https://assets-cdn.vam.ac.uk/2021/04/27/16/14/52/e062d8f9-72e7-46b4-82ef-ed5a52589b7a/320.jpg)
Burse for Queen Elizabeth I's Great Seal
Burse for Queen Elizabeth I's Great Seal
Why is this richly embroidered Elizabethan 'burse' a symbol of status and power?
![](https://assets-cdn.vam.ac.uk/2021/04/28/15/38/24/b208147f-443c-472b-bf78-81cd8cc0b1e9/320.jpg)
Trunks and travelling
Trunks and travelling
Embark on a journey to find out about travelling trunks
![](https://assets-cdn.vam.ac.uk/2021/05/05/13/20/18/11705bcc-3dde-4501-a19c-159a27b8543f/320.jpg)
Women's tie-on pockets
Women's tie-on pockets
Find out how the development of the humble pocket offered independence and security for women
![](https://assets-cdn.vam.ac.uk/2021/05/11/11/39/32/49503e9d-5ffd-4b68-86bd-2e8e3427a6ed/320.jpg)
Make your own tie-on pockets
Make your own tie-on pockets
No pockets in your favourite outfit? Make your own!
![](https://assets-cdn.vam.ac.uk/2021/05/07/11/01/29/141fee17-464d-4fd4-bd76-f30c0d1f7da9/320.jpg)
What's in the bag?
What's in the bag?
Have a peep inside some of our bags and discover their hidden contents
Bags: Inside Out
© Victoria and Albert Museum, London