If you have been obsessed with British brands since the early ’90s and Noughties, then Mulberry luxury handbags, with their famous tree logo, will automatically be on your radar.
The five-decade heritage brand is known for its high-end craftsmanship in leather goods that combine timeless aesthetics with iconic, practical features, and has long been known as one of Britain’s most sought-after brands, as well as the largest manufacturer of luxury leather goods in the UK.
From its Alexa bags (named after British fashion icon and the brand’s longtime collaborator, Alexa Chung) to the beloved Bayswater tote bag, which The Guardian described as having “the chic structure of the classic Hermès designs,” Mulberry handbags are also known as the “cool girl” handbags of the mid-2010s.
Their handbags have also been spotted on big stars like Kate Moss, Rihanna, and, of course, the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton herself, who has often accessorised her polished looks with one of Mulberry’s clutches or structured handbags.
Earlier this year, the brand announced an exciting partnership when Scottish fashion designer Christopher Kane joined the luxury fashion house as its Creative Director of Women’s Ready-to-Wear, after years of the position being vacant. The brand launched their debut collection recently at London Fashion Week in September 2026, to rave reviews from media and fashion insiders alike, with Harper’s Bazaar even calling the duo “Mulberry Meets Its Match With Christopher Kane.”
So, with bright, shiny things on the horizon and already having numerous popular luxury handbags under its belt, here’s everything you need to know about the quintessential British brand, Mulberry.
Humble Beginnings
Mulberry has a quiet, very British, humble beginning. Inspired by English rural life and wanting to create fashion items that merged town-and-country aesthetics, more specifically between Somerset serenity and London energy, the brand was started back in 1971 by founder Roger Saul, who was only 21 at the time.
He established the brand at his kitchen table after joining forces with his mum, Joan, and receiving a £500 birthday gift from his parents to help launch the business. The famous tree logo? It was actually designed by Saul’s sister, who drew inspiration from the actual mulberry tree he saw on his way to school. The brand’s first designs consisted of buckled leather belts, which he made in the family garage in Chilcompton, a rural village in Somerset.
After two years, Mulberry’s belts were stocked in big-time department stores like Harrods in London and Printemps in Paris, which led the brand to open its first factory in Shepton Mallet in Somerset, according to Time Magazine. In 1975, Saul received rave reviews after participating in London Fashion Week, which helped the brand cement its Le Style Anglais identity. This was soon followed by original bags and womenswear.
However, Mulberry suffered losses during the 1997 Asian financial crisis and was backed by Singaporean billionaires Ong Beng Seng and his wife, Christina Ong, who came into the picture in 2000. The duo then brought in a new creative direction, with British designer Nicholas Knightly recruited to revamp the brand’s image. And it was a massive success.
Popular Handbags: The Bayswater, Roxanne & Alexa
From 2002 to 2005, Knightly served as Creative Director for Mulberry, and he was responsible for helping transform Mulberry from a simple middle-aged luggage maker into an IT-bag luxury brand.
The first bag he designed was the famous Bayswater handbag back in 2003, which became Mulberry’s beloved icon. Interestingly, the structured silhouette and its signature Postman’s Lock were actually inspired by the brand’s earliest designs from the 1975 Hunting, Shooting, Fishing collection, according to its official website.
The Bayswater bag is known for its quiet elegance and top-notch leather craftsmanship. It features a classic, rectangular shape inspired by a traditional English doctor’s bag, along with dual sturdy top handles and leather shoulder or hand straps that are perfect for everyday wear. Inside, the Bayswater bag features a natural suede-lined interior with side straps, or tucked belts, which can be adjusted to slightly alter the bag’s shape. Soon, the bag became one of the iconic bags of the early 2000s and was often seen being carried by supermodels and celebrities including Kate Moss, Jennifer Lopez, and Rihanna.
Over the years, the Bayswater received many updates, including styles like the utilitarian Bayswater Tote and the Soft Bayswater. And recently, in conjunction with Mulberry’s 55th anniversary, the fashion label launched a limited-edition capsule collection featuring 55 one-of-a-kind bags made from Mulberry’s surplus and sample materials, which came in a variety of materials and finishes, from leopard print and pony hair to metallics and shiny embossed crocodile, as reported by British Vogue. The fashion magazine even stated that the Bayswater is the “UK’s first original It bag.”
After the Bayswater proved to be popular, Mulberry then followed the iconic bag with several other equally wildly popular handbags, including the Roxanne, released in 2004, and the Alexa in 2010. The latter handbag obviously helped catapult Mulberry to global popularity, but the Roxanne had its moment in the spotlight as well.
Featuring the mid-2000s boho-chic style, the bag was designed with a slouchier build, double front pockets, and heavy studded buckle straps. In 2025, Mulberry expanded the Roxanne with the Small Roxanne, featuring updated brass buckles and streamlined details, with both sizes made up of 44 individual pattern pieces created by Mulberry’s team of artisans. The Roxanne bags can be worn either over the shoulder or as a crossbody.
And now, let’s talk about the phenomenal handbag that’s known as the Alexa. Launched in 2010 and inspired by British It girl Alexa Chung, the satchel handbag immediately became one of the decade’s must-have handbags. Inspired by Chung’s street-style fashion and laid-back cool persona, Mulberry designed the Alexa by combining the formal structure of a traditional satchel and briefcase with a more relaxed silhouette. Why these combinations? It all began when Mulberry’s famed creative director, Emma Hill, spotted Chung carrying Mulberry’s vintage men’s briefcase called the Elkington.
The Alexa still has the brand’s iconic Postman’s Lock, belt-buckle straps, and a distinctive hand-braided top handle alongside a practical crossbody strap. Always spotted on the biggest stars, like Blake Lively, Sarah Jessica Parker, and even Princess Eugenie, Mulberry’s Alexa also offers everyday practicality with its spacious and functional features, making it the perfect all-day handbag. In 2020, Mulberry released an updated version of the Alexa with a sustainable twist, using eco-accredited leather from carbon-neutral tanneries.
Then there were the Amberley, the Lily, and the Hackney handbags. The first became a favourite of yet another powerful British figure, the Princess of Wales, who was often spotted with this satchel-shaped bag adorned with equestrian hardware. Meanwhile, the Lily also boasts a minimalist look with its classic rectangular shape and delicate chain strap, becoming many fashionistas’ go-to favourite when it was launched back in 2010. In 2022, Mulberry launched another sustainable version of it called the Lily Zero collection, created from carbon-neutral leather, as reported by British Vogue.
Last but not least is Mulberry’s latest sensation, the Hackney handbag. Introduced in 2025, the Hackney is named after the East London borough and was inspired by the Mulberry archives. With its soft and relaxed silhouette, the Hackney is the perfect modern IT bag for a younger generation who wants something bohemian. The handbags are made from leather or suede and feature a snap clasp and classic Mulberry Tree rivet detailing.
Christopher Kane
While Mulberry has had several iconic creative directors in the past who helped transform the brand into a global luxury name, the recent appointment of Christopher Kane has been met with a resounding yes. Why? The British designer himself is famously known for his playful and cheeky aesthetic that blends Y2K nostalgia with his own brand, or as Harper’s Bazaar called it: “he mixed kitsch with incredible craftsmanship, comedy with couture.” So, it should come as no surprise that many fashion lovers are interested in their interesting collaboration.
And, the results are in! Presented during the recent 2026 London Fashion Week, Christopher Kane’s collection for Mulberry was met with great enthusiasm. It’s worth noting that Mulberry hadn’t done fashion weeks in a decade, as the brand decided to focus more on its leather goods, but Kane’s ready-to-wear Spring/Summer 2027 collection cleverly delivered a fresh and unique take on Mulberry’s classic motto, “City, Town, Country,” mixed with the rich heritage of British countryside style.
“Really, it’s all about craft. Showcasing what British craft is, righting what people get wrong about it—and preserving it. I think that’s really important.”
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