Out to dinner with Sophie Turner | New York City, NY | September 19, 2023
Luana Italy ‘Paley Mini Pony Hair Satchel’ – $378.00 (no longer available)
I’ve talked about it a lot, but a distinctive feature of Taylor’s style is a masterful mix of designer pieces with accessible high street and smaller, indie designers thrown in. This particular bag – a stunning green one that I’ll put myself first in line for if she ever decides she has no need for it anymore – is incredibly interesting to me.
The brand Luana Italy was founded in the 60s by Giuseppe Rosadi and so named after his daughter, Luana, who would inherit the business and grow its signature top-handle designs over the span of decades. The brand was known for “femininity and cutting edge style with fresh yet timeless designs”. Due to slowing performance, the brand was acquired by 5M USA in 2013 with the goal of making a comeback. The CEO of 5M said at the time, “Luana was such an important brand in Italy back in the Seventies and Eighties that we wanted to revive its legacy.” Influential in the 80s? Colour me intrigued.
I provide this context because some time between 2019 and now, Luana fell out of business (they made a showing at Coterie Marketplace in February 2019). Yet somehow, Taylor still has one of their “impeccable, luxurious handbags” as per Eve Bender the VP of sales for 5M at the time of Luana Italy’s appearance at Coterie.
Its appearance now is fascinating to me, assuming that some time has passed between Taylor acquiring it and it making its street style debut. But that snake-like chain detail and overall colour plus its ties to the 80s and 2013 relaunch is catching my interest. A lot.
Worn with: EB Denim jacket, Reformation dress, and Reformation boots
Photo by Pap Culture
Taylor Swift Style 