From indie sleeze and apple bottom jeans to quiet luxury, the Mulberry Bayswater has stood the test of time. Following its debut in 2003, the ludicrously capacious style was swiftly co-opted by street style it-girls like Sienna Miller and Alexa Chung, as well as veritable (life)style icons Rihanna and Kate Moss — with the latter’s own Bayswater featuring in the 2020 V&A exhibition Bags: Inside Out. Its pop culture presence was buoyed by a cameo in Gossip Girl (yes, the original one).
Twenty years after its inception, the appeal remains. Reflective of the British fashion house’s understated approach to luxury, the practical design and signature Postman’s Lock hardware make it a carry-all for those in the know — a sensibility that lends it to the quiet luxury movement of today. While the past two decades have seen several iterations of the classic released — including zipped and mini styles — the consistent signatures ensure they’re instantly recognisable.
According to Mulberry, the Bayswater has experienced a resurgence in popularity amongst Gen-Z, with the return of Y2K-era fashion prompting an uptick in sales of the style through resale sites like Depop and Poshmark as well as the in-house The Mulberry Exchange, a circular economy initiative designed to entend the lifespan of the brand’s best-loved pieces.
To commemorate the anniversary of the beloved Bayswater, Mulberry has introduced three new takes on the classic. There’s the compact East/ West Bayswater, a distinctly Mulberry take on the noughties renaissance; the North/South Bayswater Tote, a go-anywhere shoulder bag; and the contemporary Zipped Bayswater Tote, a roomy hold-all that features multi- zip detailing. New shades of Geranium Pink, Acid Green, and Pigment Blue are also introduced.
The accompanying anniversary campaign features new and pre-loved styles. Shot by Roman McKenzie and styled by Eliza Conlon, the campaign stars the likes of Lily McMenamy, Alva Claire, and Laura Morgan.
The new Bayswater styles are available via the Mulberry webstore.
Words by Theo Rosen
