Stars may have soft spots for their Birkins and Baguettes, but not all of their go-to bags will break the bank.
Brooklyn-based brand Aupen — a portmanteau of “authentic” and “open” — is the source behind celebrities’ new favorite “It” purses, offering sleek, chic carryalls that embody the quiet luxury aesthetic for under $500.
Kylie Jenner was the first major name to carry an Aupen design, selecting the original version of the label’s curved Fearless bag ($340) for a November 2022 stroll in Manhattan.
“We were all overjoyed and thrilled to see our creation of love out there,” the design team — who prefer to stay anonymous — tells Style of the pivotal moment, recalling the “surge in demand” that followed.
“[Jenner] is one of the reasons why the Fearless is often out of stock.”
Aupen Fearless Re-Edition Bag
In a matter of months, Aupen started popping up all over Hollywood.
Taylor Swift’s partial to the Nirvana ($340), which features a braided handle and gleaming gold hardware, having toted hers to Jack Antonoff’s wedding in August and again during a date with Travis Kelce in October.
Rita Ora, meanwhile, carried the chain-accented, flap-front Ignite ($230) during New York Fashion Week, and Jennifer Lawrence, Gabrielle Union and Karlie Kloss have all added the Fearless ($340) to their closets.
Aupen Nirvana Bag
But the brand’s biggest hit is undeniably the slim, slanted Purpose bag ($180), as seen on Hailey Bieber, Olivia Rodrigo, Dakota Johnson, Nina Dobrev and Gal Gadot; at under $200, it’s also among Aupen’s most affordable offerings.
“Influenced by art and architecture, we wanted to move away from the idea of perfection and embrace irregularity and to truly appreciate beauty with all its flaws,” the team explains of its…
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