Summary:
- Saint Laurent reintroduces the Mombasa bag from its 2002 spring/summer collection for Spring 2026
- Designer Anthony Vaccarello presents the accessory in three sizes with updates while keeping the original design
- The bag comes in multiple materials including Courchevel leather, calf, pony, and alligator in four colors
Saint Laurent turns to its archives for Spring 2026. The French fashion house has brought back the Mombasa bag, first seen in its spring/summer 2002 collection.
Creative director Anthony Vaccarello selected this design from the brand's history. He stayed close to the original while making adjustments for today's market. The result maintains the bag's relaxed silhouette and drapes naturally against the body.
Glen Luchford photographed the campaign. Bella Hadid appears as the face of the relaunch. The images show the bag's versatility across different settings and styling options.
The Mombasa now comes in three sizes. Large and medium versions include interior zippered pockets. Both feature suede lining and leather handles. The small size offers a compact option for minimal carrying needs.
Each size serves different purposes. The large version works for travel or daily essentials. The medium fits standard daily items. The small works for evenings or when you need to carry less.
Materials vary across the collection. Courchevel leather provides the base option. This grained calfskin offers durability. The vintage-look calf gives a worn appearance straight from production. Pony hair adds texture. The small size also comes in alligator for those seeking exotic skins.
Four colors define the palette. Black serves as the neutral foundation. Rouge cabernet adds a wine-red tone. Santal brings a warm beige. Dark oat offers a deeper neutral alternative to black.
The bag's shape defines its appeal. The soft structure collapses when empty and expands with contents. This flexibility sets it apart from rigid handbag designs. The silhouette reads as casual but maintains polish.
Saint Laurent joins other luxury brands mining their archives. Fendi brought back the Baguette. Dior revived the Saddle bag. These relaunches target both original fans and new customers who missed the first release.
The 2002 timing matters. That era of fashion now influences current trends. Designers born in the 1990s draw from this period. Consumers who were young then now have purchasing power.
Vaccarello has led Saint Laurent since 2016. He replaced Hedi Slimane, who followed Stefano Pilati. Each designer interpreted the house codes differently. Vaccarello balances respect for founder Yves Saint Laurent's vision with modern sensibility.
The Mombasa represents a specific moment in Saint Laurent history. Tom Ford had recently left. The house was finding its direction. This bag embodied a relaxed luxury that contrasted with Ford's overt sensuality.
Prices were not disclosed in the initial announcement. Expect the leather versions to start around standard Saint Laurent bag pricing. The alligator small size will command a premium.
Availability begins with the Spring 2026 collection rollout. Saint Laurent boutiques worldwide will stock the bag. The brand's website will offer online ordering. Select department stores and specialty retailers will receive inventory.
The relaunch tests consumer appetite for archive designs. If successful, Saint Laurent may revisit other pieces from its past collections. The brand holds decades of designs suitable for reinterpretation.
Kristin Kaye
Insatiably curious about human expression, she immerses herself in literature, theater, art, and dance. Her academic journey led to degrees in Modern Literature, where she delved into The Furioso, and Historical Sciences with a focus on Contemporary History. Her studies took her to the prestigious Erasmus University Rotterdam, broadening her international perspective.
Her passion for culture isn't confined to personal enjoyment—it spills onto the pages of various publications. There, she explores not only artistic endeavors but also civil rights issues and the myriad ways human culture manifests itself. For her, writing about these topics isn't just a profession; it's an irresistible calling that stems from her deep-seated fascination with the human experience.