Ultimate Bag Guide: Mulberry Alexa
From the mini to the oversized, the Mulberry Alexa bag continues to capture the hearts of men and women all over the world and with our Ultimate Bag Guide, you’ll understand why.
HISTORY
2000’s British ‘IT’ girl, Alexa Chung, (fashion muse, model, and TV personality) was seen at every important fashion event, many of which she carried the traditional Mulberry Briefcase to play around with the rigidity of feminism within fashion.
Mulberry recognised Chung’s cool-girl style was making waves and in 2010 launched the Mulberry Alexa.
A satchel-esq design that hosted a braided top-handle, crossbody strap and the brands traditional postman lock. The slouchy nature of this bag made it a firm favourite among those who didn’t want to dress like the structures of society.
Despite this bag being discontinued in 2016, the fashion house couldn’t leave it in the archives and re-launched in it 2021 to celebrate their 50th anniversary. But this time round, the Mulberry Alexa was produced in sustainable leather instead of the calfskin tanned in their Somerset factory.
DIFFERENT STYLES
After the 6-month wait list to secure Mulberry Alexa’s in 2010, it’s no surprise that the brand extended the Alexa product range to include a clutch and hobo.
The hobo offered an alternative practical approach to the Alexa with its chunky single shoulder strap and longer bag length to fit more inside. On the contrary, the Alexa Clutch is a miniaturised version of the iconic Alexa bag. Instead, choosing to host the briefcase inspired straps on the body of the bag but no straps or top handles.
SIZES
The Mini Alexa: 17x22x10cm
The Alexa: 23x33x17cm
The Oversized Alexa: 30x34x17cm
MATERIALS
Until recent years, Mulberry exclusively tanned their leather at their Somerset factory. The brand’s preferred leather is calfskin, due to its porous nature being the most susceptible for tanning to various tones and the texture of calfskin leather being durable but still buttery soft.
Designs have been released where the Mulberry Alexa was crafted in bold leopard print canvas, suede and faux furs.
In 2021, Mulberry launched their first collection of bags crafted from sustainable leather, choosing to design the most era-defining silhouettes (of course including the Alexa) in this responsible leather. Whilst the brand chose not to use mushroom leather like Stella McCartney, they instead are pushing for responsible field-factory-closet farming.
HARDWARE
Alexa bags further belong in the category of IT bags for Mulberry as it’s one of five designs that host the brands iconic post-man lock.
This hardware can be traced back through the brands history as the original hardware of the brand and its iconicity is as prevalent now as it has been through the decades.
With a simple twist lock, this provides extra security for your possessions, without compromising on the overall aesthetic of this cool-girl style.
CELEBRITY FANS
It goes without saying that Alexa Chung was a huge fan of the Alexa Satchel, often pairing it with dresses and chunky boots to elevate her cool-girl-effortless-look.
Think again if you thought the Mulberry Alexa was only popular in Britain. This bag proved a firm favourite among Hollywood Royalty, including Blair Lively, Olivia Palermo and Sarah Jessica Parker.
Discover our range of preloved Mulberry Alexa bags now.
Have a Mulberry Alexa to sell? Get a free online valuation today
