“It” bags tend to be supple and often feature elaborate chains and buckles. But Queen Elizabeth has turned that definition on its head by making understatement—and a hard frame—hot again.
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Launer London, one of the Queen’s favorite British labels, has seen sales of its traditional handbags soar 60% since Her Majesty carried one of their cream-colored leather handbags to Kate Middleton’s wedding. The Queen’s actual bag, crafted from calfskin, was made especially for her two years ago. But customers can purchase other boxy bags with a top handle like the Traviata ($1,370) and the Diva ($1,280). According to Launer, women aged 35 to 50 have been driving the new sales, and account for roughly 20% of the boom in business.
Other Launer customers include the Duchess of Cornwall, Baroness Thatcher, and Dame Judi Dench. And NewsFeed thought Kate Middleton was the only royal trendsetter.
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