Past event
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
Sponsored by
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
-
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
Past event
Past event
Past event
Past event
Past event
Past event
Past event
Past event
Past event
Past event
Past event
Past event
Past event
Past event
Past event
Past event
Past event
Past event
Past event
Past event
Past event
Past event
Past event
Past event
Past event
Past event
Past event
Past event
Past event
Features
About the Bags: Inside Out exhibition
About the Bags: Inside Out exhibition
Find out more about our exhibition dedicated to the ultimate accessory
Inside the Bags: Inside Out exhibition
Inside the Bags: Inside Out exhibition
Take a look inside the Bags: Inside Out exhibition
Making bags
Making bags
Take a look at the complex process of making bags
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?
Trunks and travelling
Trunks and travelling
Embark on a journey to find out about travelling trunks
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
Make your own tie-on pockets
Make your own tie-on pockets
No pockets in your favourite outfit? Make your own!
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
Header image:
© Victoria and Albert Museum, London