Introducing Mulberry x Alexa Chung, A New Design Collaboration

July 12, 2021:  Mulberry’s 50th anniversary celebrations continue as the brand unveils an exciting new design collaboration with a long-time friend of the house and the woman who inspired one of its most iconic bags: Alexa Chung. Launching globally on 12th July, Mulberry x Alexa Chung is the latest chapter in Mulberry Editions. Amplifying its legacy of bold collaborations, Mulberry Editions is a series of limited-edition capsules in which leading creatives have been invited to put their own spin on the house’s design DNA. 

Fortifying her close relationship with Mulberry, this is Chung’s design debut for the house. ‘I thought it was a great, quite rare opportunity,’ she says. ‘I never expected to be invited to actually design my own Mulberry bag, which is really a dream come true’.

The capsule stars two styles – a roomy shoulder bag, the Big Guy, and a compact clutch, the Little Guy. Both have a go-everywhere, wear-as-you-wish spirit. The effortless, sleek style of ‘70s style icons, like Charlotte Rampling and Lauren Hutton, inform the pared back aesthetic. Both bags draw on the key components of Chung’s personal style: masculine formality offset with a vintage romance and a deep appreciation for British design. 

In a nod to their shared history, she also took inspiration from the 2010 “Alexa”. One of the most covetable bags of a generation, the Alexa went on to win over new fans around the globe when it was relaunched in 2020. 

Taking their cue from vintage satchels as well as the briefcase that inspired the original Alexa, the Elkington, the Big Guy and Little Guy feature chain straps and a boxy, streamlined silhouette. The colour palette ranges from classic, earthy shades (Black, Dark Chocolate, Tan) to peppy, optimistic tones (Apple Green, Denim Blue). Materials include glossy crocodile-effect patent leather, sumptuous velvet and suede. Launching alongside the line-up is an edit of complementary Alexa bags, which are released in the same colour palette. 

The collection also chimes with Mulberry’s ongoing commitment to sustainability and responsible manufacturing. The bags are crafted from materials which are sourced from environmentally rated tanneries, made in Mulberry’s carbon neutral Somerset factories and intended to be loved and worn forever.

“Mulberry has always been a brand that’s very close to my heart. The Alexa represents a moment in my life that I’m extraordinarily proud of and feel really lucky to have experienced. It’s nostalgic and sentimental and sweet and joyful. This time, I wanted to create something that straddled what the bags means to me personally but could become that for someone else’s wardrobe. I wanted to make sure that it would endure, become a future classic.
I welcome this extension of a relationship that’s been unfolding over decades. We do all like an origin story and something authentic, and I suppose it doesn’t get more authentic than this. In my mind it’s been quite a romantic journey.” – Alexa Chung

“Alexa has been an important part of Mulberry’s history, and it’s an honour to welcome her to the house for this highly personal design collaboration during our 50th anniversary. Since Alexa first caught our eye with her unexpected, confident approach to style, she has also shown herself to be an equally exciting and talented designer who shares our appreciation for bold British design. This creative partnership is a natural evolution of our relationship. I am delighted to see her unique interpretation of the house codes in this capsule, which is a wonderful extension of the original Alexa family.” – Thierry Andretta, CEO, Mulberry