It’s an impressive feat for any designer to court a fan base as varied as HRH The Duchess of Cambridge, Gigi Hadid, Olivia Palermo and Selena Gomez, but for Aspinal of London’s creative director, Mariya Dykalo, it doesn’t come as a surprise. “Fans of Aspinal share a sense of sophistication and an eye for timeless, elegant designs,” she tells Harper’s BAZAAR UK. “The women who carry our handbags make decisions that they know will last beyond a single season.” In a fashion climate where the lifespan of trends seems ever shorter and the speed and ubiquity of fast fashion more breakneck than ever, Aspinal’s timeless ethos is one that is finding a loyal and growing audience. “In today’s world, it’s so important to buy less but buy better,” Dykalo insists. “Customers don’t want to make a purchase that will go out of fashion in a year or less.”

gigi hadid hit new york city to celebrate her sister bella hadid's birthday with a bag from aspinal of london
AKGS
Gigi Hadid hit New York City with Aspinal’s Mayfair bag in tow

It was for this reason that Dykalo and the Aspinal team decided to revisit the brand’s heritage for the new season, crafting a collection that reworks its iconic ‘Mayfair’ line in new sizes, colours, and finishes. The boxy shape – complete with a chic top handle and practical cross-body strap – combined with the croc-print finish and gold hardware details has made the Mayfair a consistent bestseller since its inception. Gomez wore a white iteration with a leggy, all-black ensemble while out in New York City, while The Duchess of Cambridge owns multiple versions, including classic black, soft taupe, and burgundy. “It’s one of our most versatile silhouettes,” says Dykalo. “It strikes the perfect balance between an everyday crossbody, and an elegant evening bag.”

apinal of london
ASPINAL OF LONDON

For the new collection – dubbed ‘Mayfair Mania’ – Dykalo and her design team reworked the classic style with five new limited-edition metallic finishes, which are available exclusively online. The perfect update for the impending party season, the shades include bronze, blue and rose gold, all finished with the brand’s signature quilted chain strap. “I was thinking a lot about how to innovate this style through new colours while still retaining the core beauty of the bag, and metallics were an intuitive direction,” says Dykalo. “We wanted to create an explosion of opulence and glamour – something unexpected, wondrous and desirable.”

Midi Mayfair Bag Evergreen Patent Croc
Aspinal of London Midi Mayfair Bag Evergreen Patent Croc
Now 25% Off
$595 at Aspinal of London
Credit: ASPINAL OF LONDON
Mayfair Bag Mocha Patent Croc
Aspinal of London Mayfair Bag Mocha Patent Croc
Now 50% Off
Credit: ASPINAL OF LONDON
Midi Mayfair Bag Midnight Blue Patent Croc
Aspinal of London Midi Mayfair Bag Midnight Blue Patent Croc
Now 25% Off
Credit: ASPINAL OF LONDON
Mayfair Bag Soft Taupe Patent Croc
Aspinal of London Mayfair Bag Soft Taupe Patent Croc
Mini Mayfair Bag Bronze Metallic Double Croc
Aspinal of London Mini Mayfair Bag Bronze Metallic Double Croc
Now 25% Off
Credit: ASPINAL OF LONDON
Mini Mayfair Bag Blue Metallic Double Croc
Aspinal of London Mini Mayfair Bag Blue Metallic Double Croc

The team also experimented with size, re-releasing the Midi, Mini and Clutch styles in a classic palette of midnight blue, mocha, ivory and black, but also introducing a brand new ‘Nano’ shape into the fold. Adorable and micro, the petite Nano is only big enough to house a credit card, a lipstick and your house key – but what else does one need for a glam night on the town these days? As the fashion world embraces the fabulous frivolity of a return to the Roaring Twenties, pragmatism and sensibility are suddenly on the outs and joy-making for its own sake is back on the menu. On that front, there are few pieces that scream fun for the sake of fun, such as a nano-sized metallic blue handbag, particularly one that can be clipped onto its larger, more sensible siblings as an adorable bag charm for an elevated 9-5 look.

We wanted to create an explosion of opulence and glamour—something unexpected

It’s Aspinal’s dedication to marrying the core tenets of British style with seasonal innovation that has asserted its status as a household name in Britain – a feat for any brand that’s just shy of its 21st birthday. First devised as a bespoke leather accessories brand supplying gifts to the world’s most prestigious museums, including the National Gallery and the Louvre, Aspinal quickly became a luxury lifestyle brand with its unfussy, affordably priced and well-crafted handbags.

    apinal of london
    ASPINAL OF LONDON

    For Ukrainian designer Mariya Dykalo, it’s the playful spirit of British style that keeps her inspired. “I feel so lucky to live with London on my doorstep, the centre of creativity, style, fashion, architecture and art,” she says. “Both London and the British countryside are inherent parts of the Aspinal brand and a constant source of inspiration, but I also think the British are known for a more individual, quirkier sensibility. They love classic, elegant and refined pieces, but they also love bold colours. They like to have fun with fashion. There’s a sense of being true to themselves that I think is consistent across the Aspinal ethos and the British approach to style.”

    Shop Aspinal of London's Mayfair Mania collection now