Forget the Presidential love triangle; the high street is in love with France. Bag your own bit of Gallic flair with le sac du jour – the bucket bag. Update your wardrobe with the bag created by Angele Lancel in 1925.
Lancel opened her store near the lively new Opera Garnier in Paris in 1876, selling smoking accessories. In 1925 she creates the iconic bucket bag renamed the Premier Flirt in 2006.
Brigitte Bardot with her famous basket in beloved St Tropez.
In 1987 the bucket bag is rereleased under the name Elsa. It quickly charms millions of women to become an international bestseller for the house. I succumb to its charms buying two in different sizes.
My big Lancel Elsa bag photographed during a 2003 stay at Ma Cachette chambres d’hotes in Arlanc in the Auvergne. (photo – worklondonstyle)
My small black Elsa bucket bag ideal for work and short trips. (photo – worklondonstyle)
Lancel reinterprets its cult bucket bag in 2006 and rechristens it the Premier Flirt.
The Lancel Premier Flirt 2006. (photo – Lancel)
Lancel expresses its proximity to the French cultural background with collaborations with French icons Isabelle Adjani and Brigitte Bardot. The design elements of the 2012 BB bag respected the actress’s strong conservation convictions as all materials were environmentally friendly and the leather look required no animal hides.
The curvaceous Brigitte Bardot bag created in 2012. (photo – Lancel)
For Spring/Summer 2014 the slouchy bucket bag is the perfect accessory. Topshop, Next, H&M, Zara and French Connection amongst others, all have affordable versions of the bag, allowing for a balance between casual and chic.
The 2014 high street version of the bucket bag from Zara. (photo – Zara)
