My Mulberry and Me

A couple of weeks ago I celebrated a landmark birthday when I reached the grand old age of 25… (ahem)…fine, 30. Having successfully made it past the rock ‘n’ roll age of death at 27, I’ll admit I was nervous about hitting this monumental age. The blow was significantly softened by being presented with a birthday surprise in the form of a Mulberry bag from my husband. I have no idea how he afforded it and I don’t intend to ask. All I know for sure is 1. It is not a joke, 2. He is not taking it back and 3. 30 suddenly doesn’t seem so bad.

The presentation of the Mulberry was greeted by appreciative nods and smiles from the females in the room and scoffs and disbelief from the males. The desire for a designer handbag to call your own is something that few men seem to understand. I tried to explain it to some male colleagues in a language I thought they would understand; “If you are really into cars,” I said, “you might drive a Skoda, if you could only afford a Skoda. But if you had the chance to own a Ferrari, you wouldn’t choose a Skoda”. I was met with blank stares. Male bemusement aside, what is it that makes a Mulberry the Ferrari of the handbag world?

For starters the Mulberry brand is iconic and instantly recognisable. Distinctly British, the bags ooze charm and style. Since Roger Saul started the business in 1971, Mulberry has established themselves as a respected global brand that stands for quality and craftsmanship. The collections comprise of a handful of signature styles, from the “Bayswater” to the “Alexa”, that are adapted slightly each season with different finishes and colours.

The company has become a British institution and is now the largest manufacturer for luxury leather goods in the UK. A big supporter of British production, both of their factories are based in the UK and strive to support the local economy by recruiting directly from their local communities. Their apprenticeship and training programmes ensure that Mulberry will reign supreme in the luxury handbag market for generations to come.

The bags are recognised for the careful selection of exquisite natural leathers that get better with age and stand up to the test of time. Signature details like the postman’s lock and the Mulberry tree logo, which is the inspiration behind the name, make the bags stand out with understated luxury and confidence.

Now that I have achieved my life goal of owning a Mulberry “Alexa”, I’m not quite sure what do to with the next decade. But you can bet whatever I do, I will have my Mulberry with me.

By Samantha Vandersteen