SHE'S A LADY

Once again, but this time quite literally, a very lady-like bag takes center stage as our main topic of obsession: the Lady Dior. But first, let’s discuss a look from the JW Anderson show last weekend that was, as Hommegirls put it, very 'on Pointelle'. His FW24 show featured models in cutesy white and blue loungewear sets with little bows, made from Pointelle, a delicate knit fabric pattern with tiny holes forming subtle stripes and florals. 'Grotesque everydayness' is how he described it in his show notes, emphasizing grotesque distortions and proportions. For the longest time, base layers were minimal and no-nonsense, even masculine, like those on the runway, but we’re witnessing the rise of cutesy, highly feminine loungewear. Maybe it’s because we’re both on our periods (of course, our menzies are synchronized), but all we want to wear right now is layers and layers of Cou Cou Intimates.

 (Pointelle at JW Anderson FW25), COU COU Baby t-shirt in white, COU COU Pyjama shorts in white, COU COU Red Cami Dress and COU COU Black bodysuit

Old Lady Charm

Do you see the parallels? We don’t just want our loungewear to be more girlish; it’s what we’re looking for in bags too. You’ve probably heard about the wrong shoe theory: the idea that what makes a look feel interesting is if the accessories feel slightly off or mismatched with the vibe of the rest of the look. For us, we’re currently obsessed with bags that are so wrong they’re right, preferably if they exude old lady charm and contain ugly-chic hardware. Enter the Lady Dior bag. This iconic bag, almost 30 years old, exhibits no signs of aging. Reaffirmed in the latest season of The Crown, Princess Diana was captivated by the Lady Dior bag, named in her honor—and so are we.

MARIE ADAM-LEENAERDT Black structured sweater, BALENCIAGA towel skirt, LOEWE Toy rug pumps and DIOR Pre-loved 2010 Lady Dior patent bag  

Originally designed in 1994 by Gianfranco Ferré (If you're searching for exceptional vintage finds, we recommend looking up this Italian talent, often underestimated in our eyes. You will thank us later), the then-creative director of Christian Dior, the handbag was initially known as Chouchou (translating as "favorite") and later renamed Princesse. In 1995, it was rebranded as the Lady Dior in honor of the Princess of Wales. Gifted to her by Bernadette Chirac, the first lady of France at the time, the Lady Dior swiftly ascended to It bag status (in the first two years they sold over 200,000 copies). It graced many of Diana’s most iconic looks—from the prim skirt suits she donned during official engagements to the John Galliano-designed slip dress she wore to the 1996 Met Gala in New York, paired with her legendary sapphire and pearl strand choker.

​​Stephanie is wearing DIOR Lady Dior bag (similar here), MAISON MARGIELA Black knit (similar here) Y/PROJECT Cut out jeans, or try these (both on sale) and FILIPPA K Sling back heels 

Why are we suddenly, in 2024, so obsessed with Lady Dior? The wrong shoe/bag theory is the best way to explain it: wear this bag with a simple look of jeans and a knit, and it throws you off. The boxy shape and signature stitching pattern known as Cannage, inspired by Napoleon III’s chairs upon which guests at Dior's old couture salon would sit, are way too serious, stiff, and evening-like for day-to-day wear, but that’s exactly what makes it interesting. It’s also the unexpected contrast of Dior heritage elements that make this bag stand out, especially the metallic D-I-O-R charms, a nod to Monsieur Dior’s personal fascination with amulets and talismans. It’s the epitome of tacky-cool. A big contrast with the rounded top handle that sophisticatedly dangles on your arm. This bag is equally confusing, like the Ferragamo hobo bag and the tabi ballerina, and that off feeling when it comes to fashion is often very right.