Bag icons: a look into Loewe's archives

Lizard skin and box calf leather handbag with plaited handles, 1971 — (Image credit: press)

In our September Style Special issue, we take an in-depth look at Spanish leather goods brand Loewe, whose quiet revolution has seen it steadily leaping into the luxury league. Striking a delicate balance between embracing its rich heritage and forging a meaningful path in today's saturated market, Loewe - though often labelled Spain's answer to Hermès - is a luxury leather goods and ready-to-wear brand with its own unique identity.

The company's origins date back to 1846 when a collective of Madrid-based leather artisans began crafting custom-made tobacco pouches, coin purses and bags to the whims of the local aristocracy. By the early 20th century, the King and Queen of Spain had granted Loewe the official title 'Supplier to the Royal Court'. Ever since, Spanish ministers have been presented with a Loewe briefcase on gaining power; and the must-have coming-of-age gift for any young Spaniard is a Loewe leather accessory or printed cashmere scarf. Headed up by creative director Stuart Vevers and CEO Lisa Montague, the brand's cash cows are its bags - the 'Amazona', launched in 1975, has since become Loewe's most iconic and best-selling product by some distance. Here we delve into Loewe's archives to take a look at some of its other iconic bags.

Pictured: Lizard skin and box calf leather handbag with plaited handles, 1971

For a more detailed look into the rise and rise of the brand, pick up our September issue (out now) or download the iPad edition

Extra box calf leather handbag in Havana yellow, 1971

Calf leather suitcase lined with red silk moir&eacute;, 1947 — Calf leather suitcase lined with red silk moiré, 1947

'Grandes Arquitectos' extra box calf leather handbag, 2000

Embossed box calf leather suitcases and vanity case, 1968

Black calfskin and geometrical print canvas suitcases, 1960

Jack Moss is the Fashion & Beauty Features Director at Wallpaper*, having joined the team in 2022 as Fashion Features Editor. Previously the digital features editor at AnOther and digital editor at 10 Magazine, he has also contributed to numerous international publications and featured in ‘Dazed: 32 Years Confused: The Covers’, published by Rizzoli. He is particularly interested in the moments when fashion intersects with other creative disciplines – notably art and design – as well as championing a new generation of international talent and reporting from international fashion weeks. Across his career, he has interviewed the fashion industry’s leading figures, including Rick Owens, Pieter Mulier, Jonathan Anderson, Grace Wales Bonner, Christian Lacroix, Kate Moss and Manolo Blahnik.