Heart-shaped Parisian locks, seashell keychains from a past vacation, or a photo card of your ultimate celebrity crush – with bag charms, every detail is a chance to subtly – or not so subtly – share your deepest personal lore
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This love affair with accessorising bags finds its roots in Jane Birkin’s iconic, perpetually cluttered Birkin bag of the 1980s. However, today’s trend belongs not to a single muse, but to a generation. Remember those teenage bedrooms of the early 2000s, plastered with posters of your favourite stars? That same spirit lives on, reborn on handbags. Photo cards, charms, and keychains have replaced posters, now adorning the bags of many Gen-Zs with the excitement of being identified as a fan.
But this style has graduated past fan culture. The runway is now the stage. High fashion houses, keenly attuned to their audience, are capturing the latest sparks. Balenciaga introduced the Rodeo bag with a bang, offering two versions: one adorned with charms and one bare. The accompanying message subtly invited the audience to choose the one that resonated more deeply.
Miu Miu playfully incorporated bag charms to showcase the well-loved character of a bag, hinting at past adventures and cherished memories. Their campaign featured bags overflowing with personal treasures, evoking the carefree, sun-drenched spirit of a summer vacation. Loewe, meanwhile, presented a whimsical touch with bag charms featuring delightful miniature sculptures of charming animals.
Here, Men’s Folio presents a curated list of celebrities decorating their high-fashion bags– a source of inspiration for your next personalised statement:
A Messy Take
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The indie sleaze is back in full force, bringing with it a rise in slouchy, everyday arm candy adorned with statements achieved through playful nonchalance. Opt for freely hanging keyrings, and don’t be afraid to layer chains with a curated (but seemingly random) assortment of trinkets you love.
Take PP Krit, for instance. His Balenciaga keychain perfectly complements his Rodeo bag, but the real scene-stealer is the unexpected juxtaposition – a playful mix of a fur tail and a POP MART Crybaby Mirror Pendant. Meanwhile, Gun Attaphan, a dedicated Miu Miu fan, tied a sailing cord from the brand’s Spring/Summer 24 collection to the handle of his bag alongside phone charms emblazoned with his initials.
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Balenciaga Paloma Keychain
RM 2,842, via Balenciaga
POP MART Crybaby × The Powerpuff Girls Series Mirror Pendant
RM 86, via POP MART
Miu Miu Orange Cord & Nylon Bracelet
RM 1,528 via SSENSE
On The Move
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For K-Pop’s rising star and Louis Vuitton ambassador, RIIZE, utility and style are two sides of the same coin. So naturally, their speaker of choice is the LV Nanogram Speaker – a badge of honour clipped to their bag, echoing their artistic identity. This portable speaker lets them blast their tunes anywhere, ready to drop a dance break at a moment’s notice. Crafted in natural cowhide leather with engraved studs, it’s audible luxury that reflects the same premium quality as their Louis Vuitton looks.
Louis Vuitton Nanogram Speaker
RM 10,666, via Louis Vuitton
Rick Owens Silver Gemini Keychain
RM 1,289, via SSENSE
The Cute Factor
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Blackpink’s Jisoo, NCT’s Taeyong, and rising star TayTawan are injecting high fashion with a dose of cute. Their playful approach to bag personalisation transforms coveted arm candy—the Dior Ammi, Loewe Pebble, and Loewe Puzzle—into statement pieces brimming with personality and a hint of the unexpected. Miniature animal keychains and plush toys adorn their everyday bags, proving that even the most coveted designer pieces can be imbued with a delightful touch of fun.
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Loewe Ladybug Charm
RM 1,631, via OTTODISANPIETRO
Charles Jeffrey Loverboy Off-White Chunky Ears Beanie Keychain
RM 597, via SSENSE
Once you’re done with this story, click here to catch up with our April 2024 issue.