For the First Time Ever, Kate Middleton’s Beloved Handbag Brand Is Available in the US
When you're a British Royal, you don't just carry around any old handbag. One of the Duchess of Cambridge Kate Middleton's go-to choices is Aspinal. The U.K. based label has amassed a cult following over the years, thanks to its beautifully structured bags. Sadly, it hasn't always been easy for us Americans to get our hands on the expertly crafted bags, until now.
On Nov. 6, Aspinal made its way across the Atlantic ocean and into Barneys New York stores and will soon be available on the retailer's website, too. For the collection is a collaboration with Giles Deacon, who was also recently named Aspinal's new Design Director. Deacon's also the same designer behind Pippa Middleton's unforgettable wedding dress and Sarah Jessica Parker's most breathtaking Met Gala look. And his collaboration with Aspinal is sure to be just as memorable as those iconic dresses.
"We took all of the elements that are in my world, from the illustrations to the couture details to the beautiful fabrics and textures — all of those things that go into making an incredible red-carpet gown — and applied that to the collection," Deacon exclusively tells InStyle. So you'll find the structured bag shapes Aspinal is known for decked out in Deacon's sketches of elegantly dressed women and fabrications with metallic moiré prints. And it's not just handbags in the collection. There are also pocket squares, scarves, luggage tags, passport covers, and leather-bound journals — all with Deacon's quirky, yet charming drawings.
"I like things that are the best in design and quality no matter what price point it’s at," says Deacon. And the prices for this luxury handbag line are actually pretty approachable, starting at $75 and maxing out at $1,375. Plus, you don't have to ever worry about the investment-worthy pieces ever going out of style. "These have all got a classic quintessential charm to them," adds Deacon. "They’re attractive in their own right and are not coherent to a generic trend. I always liked that about my own designs. I try never to do things that fit within a trend. If something’s in a trend, I try to veer away from it. It’s probably my British stubbornness."
