The secret history of the handbag – Meredith Etherington-Smith; Caroline Clifton-Mogg Betaalbaar

From the reticules of the l8th Century to the mesh bags and chatelaines of the l9th century and from Japanese inro to the contemporary designs of the 20th Century, the history of the handbag is also the social history of the times in which these exquisite, beautifully designed models were created. Every major couturier in the early l920s, from Paul Poiret to Chanel and Vionnet to Schiaparelli created handbags to go with their outfits and The Secret History of The Handbag shows these creations accompanied by…