It’s a real who’s-who of ‘It’ bags these days, from the telltale Dior Saddlebag, to The Row’s stealthy Margaux, and any of Bottega Veneta’s many intrecciato weaves. But, in the absence of a supreme bag du jour, Nicolas Di Felice is making his bid with the Courrèges Holy Bag.
Following the recent minimalism craze, the calf leather handbag is simple and sleek—its only branding a small embossed logo. While it’s the perfect accessory for the quiet luxury crowd, its signature shape plants it firmly in the IYKYK region.
An ‘It’ bag is a designer’s dream, and Courrèges is working overtime to make it happen. The brand’s fall 2024 Paris Fashion Week show in February was rife with Holy bags, Charli xcx and Emily Ratajkowski among the VIPs toting them. And at Di Felice’s Jean Paul Gaultier couture show in June, Emma Chamberlain matched her mahogany-colored gloves to her purse.
Elsewhere, celebrity seeding efforts continue in the wild. Natasha Poly posted a photo on Instagram toting the black Holy, while Olivia Cooke brought one along for House of the Dragon press, and Dua Lipa recently carried a white iteration while out with boyfriend Callum Turner. Hailey Bieber has perhaps earned the bag the most attention to date. While in New York for a Rhode pop-up, she paired a latte-hued Holy bag with a custom LaQuan Smith dress and an oversized Magda Butrym blazer.
While it remains to be seen if the Courrèges Holy Bag ascends to the same level as, say, the timeless Gucci Jackie or the contemporary Loewe Puzzle, it’s off to an impressive start.