Logos are everything for some fashion fans, but for every proud owner of Balenciaga’s Hourglass bag (a Kim Kardashian favourite), or Jacquemus’s Le Grand Bambino (Dua Lipa’s holiday staple), there’s someone who prefers the quiet luxury of The Row’s Half Moon style.
Modelled on sleek silhouettes from the ’90s, the ergonomic curved design fits discreetly under the shoulder without so much as a bulge. Deceptively capacious – depending on the size of your iPhone – the suede-lined inner contrasts the Italian leather outer, which is embossed with the tiniest brand stamp you’re likely to ever witness. Blink and you’ll miss it – that’s the whole point.
The mini model is emblematic of the stealth-wealth style Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen have cultivated since founding The Row in 2006. Starting with the perfect T-shirt, the designers went on to build an achingly cool minimalist wardrobe that editors fell over themselves for – at a price. That shoppers are willing to part with thousands is proof of The Row’s quality and execution. From the tailoring – the backbone of the brand – to the shirting – an entry-point product for new admirers, like Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber – the sisters nail louche silhouettes that look immaculately put-together. It’s hard to balance effortless volume with polish but the Olsens, despite having no formal training, make it look like a breeze.
The Row’s loyal fan club, which includes Zoë Kravitz, Jennifer Lawrence and Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, is made up of customers who dipped a first tentative toe into the brand’s pared-back world via the footwear and bags categories. Every member owns the zip-front leather ankle boots (an essential in New York winters), and either the N/S tote or the Half Moon bag. While Manhattanites lugging their life around prefer the former, models like the retro-leaning look of the micro bag. It’s become a status symbol to show that you’re composed enough to leave the house with only an envelope-sized receptacle to house your essentials (see EmRata, who’s a master of this), and The Row majors in these elevated basics that speak volumes.
While its louder counterparts will become relics of a specific period, the beauty of the Half Moon is that it could have been on the scene in the ’90s, and it would still hold its value as a classic piece. “The Half Moon bag already feels like it’s a part of your wardrobe,” agrees Wright. “The lack of logos, patterns and bright colourways make it a risk-free investment. Shoppers today place less importance on what’s ‘new’, and more on how timeless and rare pieces are.” With the Half Moon likely to creep up in value on second-hand platforms, it really is a safe bet – perhaps even in the same pool as, say, the Chanel 2.55. Just don’t expect Mary-Kate and Ashley to start shouting about it.
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