Independent media since 2014
by Charlotte Wannebroucq · CNE Accredited Gemmologist

FASHIONPHILE THE BOOK OF ICONIC BAGS

Published by Assouline Editions, Fashionphile: The Book of Iconic Bags explores the rise of the handbag as an icon of contemporary luxury. For three decades, this accessory has transcended its utilitarian function to become a distinctive signifier.
Charlotte Wannebroucq, CNE-certified expert gemmologist
Founder and Editor-in-Chief
Updated on September 16
Updated on 16 September 2026
Gold-colored pouch «Sunken Treasure Chest» by Judith Leiber, 2022. © Guy Bell/Alamy Live News
ASSOLINE FASHIONPHILE

Fashionphile: The Book of Iconic Bags, a journey through style, history and desire.

Published by the Editions Assouline, Fashionphile: The Book of Iconic Bags Explore the rise of the handbag as an icon of contemporary luxury. For three decades, this accessory has gone beyond its utilitarian function to become a distinctive sign, a collector’s item and, increasingly, a strategic investment.

The result of the expertise of Fashionphile, a leading platform for the resale of bags and designer accessories, the book brings together twenty-five of the most influential models of all time. Each has been selected for the quality of its craftsmanship, the richness of its history, its cultural relevance, and its potential for value creation.

As the pages unfold, the reader travels between creations that have become legendary, such as the Birkin and Kelly bags from Hermès, and models immortalized by popular culture, such as the Fendi Baguette or the Dior Saddle, associated with Sex and the City. Recent trends are not forgotten, with the sculptural forms of Bottega Veneta or the bold lines of Loewe, whose rise illustrates the impact of social media on the luxury market.

It is at the heart of this narrative that the reflection of Anna Dello Russo, an Italian fashion journalist, resonates: «Accessories are like vitamins for fashion. Handbags are the most important of them.» This formula highlights the ability of these pieces to sublimate a silhouette and mark a style.

Richly illustrated and punctuated with expert analyses, Fashionphile: The Book of Iconic Bags It goes beyond the mere visual catalog. It highlights the role of the handbag as a witness to its era, a reflection of collective aspirations and an object of desire capable of crossing generations.

Assouline.com

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Charlotte Wannebroucq, CNE-certified expert gemmologist
The author

Charlotte Wannebroucq

Gemmologist expert, member of the CNE-Art, and expert in signed jewelry. Twenty-five years of experience at the heart of Parisian jewelry, between the Carré Rive Gauche and Place Vendôme.
She signs the decryptions of collections, the analyses of stones and the estimates published in Esprit Joaillerie. Each piece commented on is examined in person, in the workshop, in the sales room or in the showroom.
  • Expertise

    Gemmology and signed jewellery

  • Member

    CNE-Art

  • Experience

    Over 25 years in Parisian jewellery