(Celebrity)
Every Celebrity Is Carrying AUPEN Bags Right Now
Gabrielle Union and Taylor Swift are both fans.
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You know the drill: Once one A-lister wears an under-the-radar item, this creates a domino effect, with other stars and style enthusiasts soon tapping into the look as well. Such is the case with AUPEN’s handbags. The fervor all started thanks to Kylie Jenner, who toted the now-discontinued Fearless silhouette, which features a curved cut and metal hardware, around Manhattan in Nov. 2022, the same month the label launched. Since then, the Brooklyn and Singapore-based brand’s carryalls, which range from $180 to $490, have established a fan club boasting Hollywood’s biggest celebrities like Taylor Swift, Hailey Bieber, Selena Gomez, Gabrielle Union, and Olivia Rodrigo. (Fashion girls also can’t get enough of the looks, including this editor who just carried one of the label’s bags during NYFW.)
Peruse through AUPEN’s website, and the first thing that may catch your eye is the bags’ sculptural shapes, which are influenced by art and architecture. “We wanted to move away from the idea of perfection and embrace irregularity, and to truly appreciate beauty with its flaws that are present in our every day,” the design team tells TZR about the unique styles, noting, “This resulted in the interesting architectural shapes that feel fresh and exciting to us.” The Brooklyn carryall, for starters, nods to the Brooklyn Bridge (hence its name) with its structured appearance. Then there’s the asymmetrical-looking Purpose style, loved by Bieber. And for those who gravitate towards a slouchier vibe, look no further than the Swift-approved Nirvana bag.
And if the team is ever in need of design ideas? They simply step outside and take in their surroundings. “Sometimes we don’t even have to go far, we love that Brooklyn is beautifully off kilter and is our main source of inspiration.”
Though AUPEN launched a little over a year ago, the customer feedback has been nothing short of amazing. “We get people reaching out to ask questions about the bags that have been spotted on the celebrities, but also about whether our materials are sustainable; it shows how discerning consumers today are,” they explain. The team adds that they’re proud that shoppers are interested in their use of vegan leather and the wallet-friendly price points.
Without further ado, scroll ahead to see how A-listers are styling the up-and-coming label’s distinct, one-of-a-kind silhouettes. (No promises you won’t place an order by the time you reach the bottom of this post.)
Emily Blunt
Blunt is the latest celebrity to be pictured with an AUPEN bag in hand. The Devil Wears Prada alum brought the Nirvana style along to the Oscars Nominees Luncheon on Feb. 12. In a light gray hue, the piece was a cool contrast against Blunt’s rich purple Zimmermann set.
Olivia Rodrigo
What does one wear to sit front row at a sporting event? If you’re Olivia Rodrigo, it’s AUPEN’s new Joy bag. Styled by Chloe and Chenelle Delgadillo, the “Vampire” singer carried the curved silhouette to the Lakers game last month. A vintage enthusiast, she styled the carryall with a button-down vest mini dress from Norma Kamali's Spring/Summer 1990 collection and Unify’s platform shoes.
Blue Ivy
Taking after her mother, 12-year-old Blue Ivy is turning into quite the fashionista. Case in point: Last November, at Beyoncé’s Renaissance film premiere in London, the middle schooler showed up on the red carpet in AUPEN’s chic Purpose bag. She teamed the look with a one-shoulder black gown and complementing frames.
Selena Gomez
Attending the 2023 Video Music Awards on Sept. 12, the Only Murders in the Building star paired the brand’s crystal-drenched Purpose style with a vivid purple Undone by Kate custom dress.
Taylor Swift
Did Swift tell her good friend Gomez about her penchant for the emerging brand? It’s very possible, as she wore it just a month prior during Margaret Qualley and Jack Antonoff’s celebrity-filled New Jersey wedding weekend. For her rehearsal dinner look, the “Cruel Summer” singer carried the Nirvana bag, which features an asymmetrical cut and a braided strap. She kept the rest of her outfit casual yet chic with a black lace Hill House set.
Hailey Bieber
Note: If there’s an It bag taking the Hollywood set by storm, Hailey Bieber is usually part of the pack. Case in point: At a RHODE event in April 2023, the beauty entrepreneur took to IG to share her cool outfit, which included AUPEN’s Purpose bag in black. One thing to take away from this picture? This small silhouette is ideal for weekend outings — and I can attest to that statement, as I wore the white iteration to NYFW last Sept.
Gabrielle Union
Gabrielle Union, who wore the bag at the end of Nov. 2022 in New York, gave the Fearless style in snow a wintery feel thanks to a fuzzy brown coat and croc-embossed shoes. We love how she grounded the outfit with elevated basics, such as a white button-down and relaxed jeans.
Kylie Jenner
Leave it to Jenner to put a new brand on the map. While hitting the streets of Manhattan, she donned her AUPEN purse alongside a structured long black coat and slouchy denim puddle pants. Keep this easy-to-recreate look in mind this month.
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