Exhibition Opening on Saturday, 25 April 2020

Bags: Inside Out

Tickets available soonPlan a visit

  • Opening on Saturday, 25 April 2020

  • Gallery 40

  • Tickets available soon

Exhibitions are free for Members – join now

From rucksacks to despatch boxes, Birkin bags to Louis Vuitton luggage, Bags: Inside Out will explore the style, function, design and craftsmanship of the ultimate accessory.

Exhibition Highlights

Horse chestnut-shaped bag and purse
Horse chestnut bag and purse, by Emily Jo Gibbs, 1996, Britain
Burse for the Great Seal of England
Burse for the Great Seal of England, 1558–1603, England
Model with Lait de Coco Evening Bag
Model with Lait de Coco Evening Bag, Karl Lagerfeld, 2014
opera bag and contents
Lemière, opera bag and contents, about 1910, Paris, France
Despatch Box owned by Winston Churchill
Despatch Box owned by Winston Churchill, by John Peck & Son, London, about 1921
Purple sequin bag
'Baguette' bag, by Fendi, 2000, Italy
Chatelaine
Chatelaine, 1863-85, probably England
Dowry bag (bhujki)
Dowry bag (bhujki), mid 20th century, Sindh, Pakistan
'Fabergé Egg' evening bag
'Fabergé Egg', evening bag, by Judith Leiber, 1983, US

Events

Background image: Handbag, designed by Finnigans, 1926, England. Museum no. T.237 to B-1972. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London