Why This Heritage Handbag Is A Timeless Insider Favorite
Whether you’re coveting a staple bag for work or travel, the ‘Secret’ bag by Serapian is a companion you can treasure and rely on for years to come
The 2023 runway collections have, by and large, been a celebration of enduring, timeless style, with designers championing closet heroes that are understated yet elevated. The key to this quieter take on luxury styling lies in the quality of the materials used and the meticulously high standard of craftsmanship employed. One brand that has embodied this exacting approach to design for almost a century is the Italian house Serapian, which creates the ultimate ‘if you know, you know’ handbags in supple nappa leather.
The heritage label was first founded in 1928 in Milan by Stefano Serapian, and, today, its artisans still work in the heart of the city in Villa Mozart, creating leather bags by hand using techniques that have been honed over decades. The designs are discreet, elegant, and enjoy a storied history, with the likes of Audrey Hepburn, Ingrid Bergman, Frank Sinatra and Bette Davis having all been photographed carrying a Serapian.
“Historically, each Mosaico bag has always been signed by the artisan that created it – and it’s a tradition that still holds
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The house’s signature design is the ‘Secret’ bag, which was initially created as a bespoke piece for a Milanese client who requested a spacious, lightweight bag with a hidden pocket inside (hence its name). Today, the ‘Secret’ tote continues to be one of the brand’s bestsellers, thanks to its roomy shape and sturdy leather handles.
Available in several fabrications, from raffia to grained leather, the bag also showcases a blend of the brand’s heritage techniques – passed down from generation to generation – with modern innovations. The Mosaico technique, for example, is one of the house’s hallmarks. First invented in 1947, it sees strips of soft lamb nappa leather expertly woven together by hand to create a beautiful plaited design that Serapian describes as “somewhere between Byzantine mosaics and Japanese origami”. Historically, each Mosaico bag has always been signed by the artisan that created it – and it’s a tradition that still holds.
“The Italian house prides itself on the quality of its materials, and you can trust that the bags will always be made from the softest, finest leathers
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Thanks to its enduring popularity, there have been many interpretations of the iconic ‘Secret’ bag over the past few decades, but one of our favorite versions is a sumptuous toffee- and caramel-colored tote that beautifully mixes raffia and seta leather. Whichever iteration you opt for though, ‘Secret’ bags are crafted exclusively from leather, with strips of tan Mosaico used to add interest and further elevate the more discreet cream canvas totes.
Indeed, the Italian house prides itself on the quality of its materials, and you can trust that the bags will always be made from the softest, finest leathers. Cachemire leather is another signature technique championed by the house, and involves leather being tumbled in large wooden drums to make it exceptionally supple and free of faults – ensuring it carries you from season to season, for decades to come.
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