Where to find a fabulous handbag without the designer price tag? This mid-range French brand has caught our attention …
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Over the past few years, there has been an explosion in what we have come to know as “mid-range” handbag brands. These are brands that don’t demand four-figure price tags for a leather handbag – something out of reach for so many – or those you’ll find on the high street, where quality isn’t always guaranteed. It’s a positioning that attracts shoppers seeking a specialised product with longevity, but at an accessible price point. And there are now a number of brands carving out a space in this mid-range market. There are names you’ll be familiar with like Polene, Demellier, A.P.C and Dragon Diffusion – another such brand is French label Elleme.
Founded by Chinese woman Jingjing Fan in 2015, the name comes from the French phrase “Elle aime” meaning “she loves”. Fan, who lives in Paris, considers the city as her second home – so much so that she founded her brand on the foundations of French style sensibilities. Since its initial launch in 2015, Elleme has expanded to include footwear and ready-to-wear clothing – but it’s the bags that still capture our attention.
Designed in Paris and made in Italy, these are luxe mid-range brands with a difference. Think simple but modern styles with unique shapes and details – at times even futuristic. The bags have been spotted on the arms of Gigi Hadid, Hailey Bieber, Priyanka Chopra and Beyoncé, and no doubt you’ve seen them while scrolling through your Instagram feed.
This season, we love the woven styles that feel very of-the-moment, while the Boomerang shapes with their gold hardware detailing are seriously covetable. The classic Courier tote is ultra-appealing in the cognac leather, and we could take the slouchy Trousse shoulder bags in every shade. Elleme is stocked in department stores like Printemps in Paris and Harrods and Harvey Nichols in London. While Irish shoppers can find the pieces online at elleme.com and 24s.com. Shop some of our favourite mid-range handbags by French label Elleme below …
Cognac suede Baozi bag, €450; www.elleme.com.
Black leather Boomerang bag, €545; www.elleme.com.
Cognac leather Courrier tote bag, €430; www.elleme.com.
White leather Trousse bag, €430; www.elleme.com.
Black woven leather Courrier tote bag, €480; www.elleme.com.
Wine patent leather Envelope bag, €395; www.elleme.com.
