Fashion’s First Vegan ‘It’ Bag Turns 15

Few handbags have managed to grow the same cult following Stella McCartney’s chainmail-edged Falabella tote has. When it first hit the fashion scene back in 2009, the meticulously crafted ethical bag was revolutionary, rebelling against the status quo and setting a new standard for luxury without leather. Now, over a decade later, the original vegan ‘It’ bag remains the ultimate cruelty-free luxury piece, with searches for the style increasing 71% on Lyst in March.

With its distinctive chainmail-inspired fabric and feminine curved shapes, the Falabella was quickly adopted by the likes of Rihanna, Beyoncé and Kate Moss — but the accessory’s enduring appeal goes beyond its trend-transcending design. Having put sustainable fashion on the map, it’s become a symbol of Stella McCartney‘s trailblazing leadership in sustainable luxury and material innovation.

Now, to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the bag, the brand has launched an edit of four limited-edition styles, each honouring the design codes that have made the Falabella iconic: a diamond-cut chain in recycled brass and recyclable aluminium, and a medallion in zero-waste zamac. Handcrafted by artisans in Italy, they feature next-gen plant-based bioplastics, grape waste “leathers” from Italian wineries, and fabrics spun from recycled fibres; some even have an Airlite coating that purifies air pollutants around their wearer.

While there have been many ‘It’ bags over the years, the Falabella has proven it has serious staying power. With its bold fusion of tough and feminine design codes, ethical luxury vision, and constant material innovations, this vegan rebel remains one of fashion’s most iconic and coveted accessories. But then again, few bags have an origin story as chic as the Falabella’s: named after the designer’s beloved mini horse breed, it’s a product of her childhood growing up on an English countryside estate under the influence of her ardently vegetarian parents Paul and Linda McCartney.

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