Paper trail: Loewe puts austerity in the bag

Madrid – With austerity measures dominating headlines and government agendas, what better time to launch a new ‘it’ bag that puts function before bling? The new Papelle bag by Spanish leather goods manufacturer Loewe is based on the design of everyday paper grocery bags. But with a hefty $1,045 price tag, the new bag probably won’t be in supermarkets just yet.

The austere design does, however, mark a change in direction from the ostentatious or bling aesthetic that became synonymous with it bags during the nineties and noughties. It also signifies the importance of trends such as the New Seriousness and Rough Luxe in today’s turbulent consumer market.