Gabriela Hearst, Diana Bag (c) Victoria and Albert Musuem, London

Roberta di Camerino, “Baghonghi”, Italy (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London

YSL Camera Bag. Paris (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Fendi Baguette bag worn by Sarah Jessica Parker in Sex and the City, 2000, Italy. Image courtesy of Fendi

“Normandie” clutch bag. c.1935, France (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Christian Dior in collaboration with Marc Quinn, “Fossil Record” Lady Dior handbag (c) Marc Quinn. Photography (c) Victoria and Albert museum, London

Gabrielle Chanel, “2.55” handbag. c.1965, Paris (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London

George Barbier (1882-1933) “L'Envie”, Falbalas et Fanfreluches. Almanach des modes..., Paris, 1925 (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Girdle bag. 18th century, China (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Issey Miyake “Lucent Bao Bao” tote bag. 2019, Japan (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London. Issey Miyake

Paco Rabanne Belt bag. c.1969, Paris (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Pair of pockets, 1740s, England (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Jennifer Graylock Shutterstock

“Stardust” evening bag, Wilardy Originals, 1950-60

Anya Hindmarch. “Dairy Milk” sequinced and silk embroidered clutch bag, 2000 (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Demna Gvasalia for Balenciaga, Bazaar Shopper, Autumn-Winter 2016. France (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Jane Birkin's Birkin, 1984, Image courtesy of Les 3 marches de Catherine B

Louis Vuitton and Takashi Murakami “Eye Need You” bag, Spring-Summer 2003. France (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Celine ”Phantom” bag. Summer 2014 , Paris (c) Victoria and Albert Musuem, London

Alexander McQueen, Spider Jewelled Four Ring Box Clutch Box Bag. Resort 2020. United Kingdom (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Charlotte Olymia, Calavera skull clutch bag, from Winter 2014 onwards (c) Victoria and ALbert Museum, London

Gucci GG Supreme Dionysus handbag, Spring-Summer 2016. Italy (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London

John Galliano for Christian Dior, Dior Saddle Bag Spring Summer 2000 (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Limoges marriage purse of pink silk brocade, edged with silver lace and enamelled miniatures of a betrothed couple attached to either side. 1700-1750. France

Thom Browne “Hector Handbag”, Autumn-Winter 2019. USA (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Valextra and Laura Bethan Wood “Iside Toothpaste” bag, Spring-Summer 2018. Italy (c) Victoria and Albert Musuem, London

Victoria Beckham, powder box bag, Autumn-Winter 2018. United Kingdom (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London

“Graffitti Keepall 50” Luggage, Stephen Sprouse for Louis Vuitton, Spring-Summer 2001

Bottletop “Bellani Crossbody” bag, 2020. Brazil (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Gold purse with pearls, c.1855. Dehli (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Tracey Emin for Longchamp, International Woman suitcase, 2004 (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London. DACS

Vanity case, Lacloche Frères, about 1926 (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Gianni Versace, Safety-pin handbag, Spring-Summer 1994, Italy (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Grace Kelly's departure from Hollywood (Photo By Allan GrantThe LIFE Images Collection via Getty ImagesGetty Images)

Burse for the Great Seal of England, 1558-1603, England (c) Victoria and Albert Museum, London

Stella McCartney x Parley for the Oceans. “Ocean Legend” Falabella Go backpack, Spring - Summer 2018, London (c) Victoria and Albert Museum. London

Winston Churchill, Chancellor of the Exchequer, carries the dispatch box on his way to the House of Commons, in London, to present the budget, April 29, 1929. Photo Credit Bettman Getty

Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian with Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton “Monogram Miroir” gold speedy handbags in Sydney, Australia, 2006. Photo by PhotoNews International Inc, Getty Images