September 17, 2025 | Posted in Blog
With dreamy designs and craftsmanship, it isn’t shocking that this brand has been putting itself on the map for over half a century, but how did they do it?
In this blog, we’re taking a deep dive into Mulberry’s history, pop culture domination, and what the future may hold for this classic brand.
If we were going to define Mulberry by two things, it would be classic luxury and quality craftsmanship – not a bad combo if you ask us.
The brand describes itself as ‘quintessentially British’, and when it comes to leather, there aren’t many that can compete.
British fashion icons like Kate Moss, Alexa Chung, Adele, Florence Pugh and even the Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, have all been seen wearing Mulberry, making the demand for its pieces even higher.
It’s always giving that old money vibe that never seems to go out of style, but it still brings fresh concepts to the table, which is probably why it’s lasted as long as it has.
Just like a Mulberry tree, the brand has deep roots. Founded in Somerset, England, in 1971, this luxury label had a small start. The founder, Roger Saul, actually used a £500 investment from his mother, Joan, to get things started, coming up with ideas from his kitchen table.
Roger’s father worked for British shoemaking institution, Clark’s. Many credit Roger’s love of leather craftsmanship to watching his father work every day, fuelling his passion from a young age. He loved the feel and even the smell of leather, appreciating its luxe yet durable appeal.
It was truly a family affair as his sister, Rosemarry, actually designed the tree logo that many of us now know all too well. Roger was consistently inspired by his own childhood, basing the logo and the Mulberry name on the trees he walked by when on the way to school.
Many fashion houses, from Gucci to Louis Vuitton, have all been built by families, but what may make Mulberry stand out is how supportive the Sauls have been of each other and the brand from day one. From the first few products being made on the kitchen table to a multi-million pound company, they remained a team (aw!) and the now extended team are considered a community.
So, as we mentioned, Roger was making small leather goods like chokers and buckled belts from the family home. He worked on small orders but, after a while, business began to pick up. Excited that he had already outgrown his home studio, he would open the first Mulberry factory, ‘The Rookery’, in, of course, Somerset.
His parents would oversee the first team and production while Roger began expanding the brand’s product selection and designs. He was inspired by the contrast between British town and country aesthetics – the dynamic fashion of 60s and 70s London, plus the perceived charm of rural activities like hunting and fishing.
Roger would name Mulberry’s styling as ‘Le Style Anglais’, which translates to ‘English style’, something the brand has stayed loyal to for decades.
As production got bigger, so did Roger’s ideas, and by the mid-70s, Mulberry was producing what it would become most known for, bags.
Mulberry began with messenger and binocular bags – practical and classic designs that reflected women of the time.
The 70s saw many women wanting a change, moving forward from purely domestic roles, and Mulberry hit that sweet spot of traditional, elegant style and effortless wearability. These bags were made to last and accompany women from work to social plans.
In the 80s, 90s, and early naughties, the classics plus Mulberry’s host of hobo bags from the brand became very popular, but that was just the start. (Fun fact: Kate Middleton’s first Mulberry bag was a hobo design when she was 26)
The beautiful leather craftsmanship wasn’t the only pull for Mulberry bags; the gold hardware and larger buckles also caught consumers’ attention. The designs felt luxurious and trendy, but everyone who bought one knew they were getting something special and high-quality.
The silhouettes have evolved, but the approach to bag making has stayed the same, which is what keeps Mulberry as an accessory staple after all these years. We’ll talk about some of the most influential Mulberry bags further down (it’s basically just our wishlist, shhh).
Sales were consistent for Mulberry throughout the 80s and 90s, but by the early 00s, Roger Saul was ready to partially hand over the reins. In 2002, Nicholas Knightly was brought into the company, and this would help to put Mulberry well and truly on the map. He created the legendary Bayswater – enough said.
Knightly went on to become creative director of leather goods at Louis Vuitton in 2004, with Stuart Vevers taking over as creative director at Mulberry in 2005. Vevers capitalised on the success of the Bayswater, ensuring that the brand was seen as a relevant fashion house, not just a bag maker. He was behind many of Mulberry’s ‘it’ bags from the time, and he even won the British Fashion Council’s Accessory Designer of the Year during his time there.
In 2007, Stuart would leave Mulberry to join Loewe, and Emma Hill would take on the challenge of getting Mulberry through a recession. She understood the impact of 00s celeb culture and how important celebs being seen with a Mulberry bag was for the brand’s survival.
While protecting Mulberry’s artisanal heritage, Hill combined the brand’s traditional roots with the new-wave of hipster style icons like Alexa Chung and Lana Del Rey (who have both had Mulberry bags named after them). Hill made the brand appealing to a new generation, keeping relevant celebs like Kate Moss and Pixie Geldof in the front row of its fashion shows and its bags on the arms of young people in the UK and internationally.
Hill’s impact had kept Mulberry making a profit, and when she left in 2013, it shocked many. Her departure even led to Mulberry’s shares temporarily dropping. She was succeeded by Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs and Céline alumni Johnny Coca in 2015.
In his five years with Mulberry, Coca focused on many of Mulberry’s other creations. Its first womenswear line, which paired perfectly with its bags, was actually released all the way back in 1979, with footwear coming much later in 2008, but Coca took both to the next level during his tenure. He’d worked in accessories beforehand, so it also made sense that he then expanded the eyewear and jewellery offerings too.
Though Mulberry no longer designs footwear and clothing, Mulberry became a lifestyle fashion brand thanks to Coca’s input, with some memorable ready-to-wear collections and gorgeous accessories of all types. He also helped Mulberry’s image with his love of sustainability.
Coca would launch the Portobello tote in 2019, the brand’s first bag made from sustainable leather. Then came the M Collection, which consisted of bags and outerwear made from a blend of Econyl-branded regenerated nylon and sustainable cotton.
In 2020, he would back the Mulberry ‘Made To Last’ exhibition. This had a handbag exchange, where you could put their used accessories towards a new purchase – a fab idea if you ask us.
Coca would leave in 2020 with his final collection being for the Spring/Summer 2021 season.
Thierry Andretta would take over from Coca, but as CEO, not creative director. So far, he seems to be staying loyal to what was built before him, even proudly accepting the Sustainable Luxury Brand of the Year award that Mulberry won in 2022.
There are two Mulberry factories in Somerset now, ‘The Rookery’ and ‘The Willows’, which opened in 2014. The 600 people who work in those factories are responsible for around 50% of every Mulberry product produced.
The original factory has a successful apprenticeship programme with multiple generations of some families all loyally working there – a testament to that community spirit Mulberry values.
Though proud of its British roots, it does have over 120 stores across 25 countries. You can also easily shop Mulberry online from retailers like Selfridges and John Lewis.
Mulberry bags still always hit different, being worn by celebs and royals and even being seen in film and TV. There’s also been a resurgence in vintage Mulberry accessories, especially discontinued bags.
The brand itself remains beloved by fashion lovers, with the quality it still prioritises being a long-lasting legacy. We are yet to see if this more established brand can capture the attention of Gen Z and Gen Alpha, but it certainly isn’t done yet.
Yes, we’re going to be talking about A LOT of bags…
Let’s start with a true icon, shall we? When Alexa Chung was first seen with this contemporary classic on her arm, it was basically over for other handbags at the time. To say the Bayswater was a smash hit would be an understatement, with sales of this bag alone essentially keeping Mulberry afloat during the 2008 recession. Not only has it been worn by a host of celebs, it’s also Bridget Jones’ signature bag in the film franchise.
Its title as pop culture icon isn’t the only reason we adore this bag, it’s also the overall aesthetic. It’s giving sophistication, refinement, and timeless beauty. It’s even adjustable to fit all of your essentials.
If you’re as obsessed with this as we are, you’re in luck. You can win an authentic Mulberry Bayswater bag in one of our latest draws.
You may have noticed that Alexa Chung and Mulberry almost come hand in hand at this point, with the model inspiring her own bag. She now has her own collection with Mulberry, but we will forever have a soft spot for the OG bag that came out in 2010, thanks to its effortlessly cool look.
The Alexa bag is definitely the lovechild of the Bayswater and the discontinued Elkington briefcase with the classic Postman Lock and selection of gorg colours, making it a real standout.
We have to give a little nod to wear it all began for Mulberry with one of its stunning belts. Made from silky calf leather, you can add this to nearly any fit to elevate it.
The Heritage belt is braided with gold hardware, which looks so chic and could make even a simple LBD look a little more interesting. All three colour options are fab so take your pick.
Coming in Mini, Small, and Regular sizes, the Roxanne is another Mulberry icon. Originally released in 2004, the handbag is truly unique, and we can see the Y2K influence (Yes, this was another Alexa Chung favourite).
It’s structured without being rigid, keeping it fun and modern, plus it’s super spacious. We love the pocket detail and how easily it sits under the shoulder when worn.
Lily is the name of two different bag designs, plus some super stylish sunglasses and jewellery pieces, but for us, it’s all about the smaller Lily bag. It’s bang on trend and, unlike many of Mulberry’s bags, it’s made from a soft suede that we’re living for.
The chain shoulder strap adds that extra bit of luxury, and we think brass hardware is a lovely touch, plus the colour selection has us wanting one of each.
The Postman Lock is the focal point of the iconic Bayswater bag’s design, and now you can get that instantly recognisable design as a necklace. It may seem like an odd concept, but trust us, it works.
You can get it in silver or gold, and it’s definitely a tasteful touch to any outfit, playing on the luxury Mulberry hardware that so many of us love.
An underrated gem, the Islington Bag came out in 2003, but it definitely reflects what’s currently trending. Mulberry describes it as ‘soft-yet-sturdy’, which is just what we want from our day-to-day bag, but this would work for a date night bag too.
We really like that you can wear it multiple ways and how luxe the leather and suede options all look. The colour options are *chef’s kiss*, but we’re gravitating towards the Ebony version as it would go with nearly every outfit in your wardrobe.
If you’re looking to add a touch of luxury to your wardrobe with a quality designer bag, Your Dream Bag may be just what you’re looking for.
With our handpicked selection of designer handbags, accessories, luxury home goods, and easy-to-enter competitions, getting your hands on your next fashion fave is just a few clicks away.
Written by Eve Miller
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