If we had to name an ‘It’ bag brand of 2024 it would have to be Aupen. Seriously guys, this emerging affordable accessories label has a celeb-fanbase so lengthy it would probs take us far too long to write out.
But let’s just say, if like us, you think about that pic of Taylor Swift’s first appearance with American football star boyfriend Travis Kelce (yep, ‘Karma is the guy on the Chiefs’ and all that) on the reg – you might just remember a certain black bag stealing the show.
Cast your mind back to October 2023 and you’ll recall our excitement at seeing our girl Tay with a new beau on her arm. But ngl, it wasn’t just the six-foot-something man we were taken by (soz Trav). The sleek bag she was carrying in her other hand was just as thrilling to the Cosmo fashion team.
Take it from us, not all handbags are created equal, and Aupen’s Nirvana style (which retails from £269) ticked all our boxes: from the shiny leather to the plaited strap and hella luxe gold hardware. The rest is history, TBH. The affordable bag brand Aupen went straight to the top of our wish list, and we’ve thought about little else since...
If you thought 2024 was the year of Aupen, we can confirm 2025 is set to be better and bigger – literally! Fresh off the back of dropping its Sinner Earrings (the first of the brand's new jewellery collection made in partnership with LVMH), Aupen has gone ahead and launched a larger version of its favourite Nirvana silhouette. Because sometimes, a girl really does need to bring everything and the kitchen sink.
Featuring all the same details of its smaller sister, including being crafted from calfskin leather and gold-tone metal, the Nirvana 32's increased size ensures ample space for essentials without sacrificing the iconic appeal of Aupen's asymmetrical design. Not to mention, it's never been easier to transition your look effortlessly from day to night. Admittedly, a bigger size does mean a bigger price tag, but it goes without saying this is more than just arm candy. An Aupen bag is an investment buy that will no doubt be in regular rotation in your wardrobe for years to come. So, if we're talking cost per wear...
As it turns out, T Swizzle isn’t the only celeb who is obsessed with Aupen either. Go figure. In fact, towards the end of last year you could barely see a paparazzi pic without spotting an A-lister rocking one of the emerging label’s designs.
First, it was Kylie Jenner wearing Aupen’s curved Fearless bag, swiftly followed by Selena Gomez rocking the brand’s (currently sold out) sparkly Purpose Ice style. Even Jennifer Lawrence, Olivia Rodrigo and Emily Blunt have jumped on the affordable designer bags. And when Hailey Bieber hit the streets of London to celebrate the launch of her skincare line, it was Aupen’s classic Purpose design she chose to carry her numerous Rhode peptide lip tints in – the mini silhouette is the perf size, after all.
With a combined net-worth of millions, it’s a serious breath of fresh air to see a more affordable bag brand on the arms of these A-listers – I mean, the £100,000 Birkins Ky Jen usually rocks were just a touch out of our budget...
So, given these celebs could wear ANY designer accessory they so desire and still chose to pick up a lil’ Aupen number, we decided we just had to see what all the hype was about and test the affordable bag brand for ourselves.
Everything about the order we received was giving luxury vibes – yep, just because we aren’t splashing *thousands* on a new accessory doesn’t mean we don’t want to get all the designer perks. And trust us, they were there. Each real leather bag comes packaged in its own individual dust bag with all metal hardware protected and the bag stuffed to hold its shape. I mean, sometimes it’s the little things, guys.
The brand is beloved for its asymmetrical silhouettes and unique shapes – as well as cute details like luxe hardware, chunky zips and sleek straps. I was seriously taken with Taylor’s go-to the Nirvana which definitely felt the sturdiest and was roomy enough to house all my essentials.
Aupen’s Fearless bag, in this gorgeous white-as-snow leather, was also a top contender. It’s perfect for bringing a retro ‘60s vibe to any outfit and will seriously come into its own this summer – you know, when you wanna swap out black totes for pretty picnic-ready handbags to match your cute floral dresses.
I will personally be taking mine round the houses (or should I say churches) this wedding szn. A white bag really is the universal wedding guest accessory and this baby is bound to get me a few compliments. Note to friends: keep your grubby fingers and glasses of Pimm’s away.
If you’re hitting the town, there’s really no better LBB (yes, that’s little black bag to you) than Aupen’s Purpose. This style forgoes softer edges for a more architectural shape and switches out a zip-fastening for a nifty metallic clasp. She’s smaller but so worth leaving a bronzer at home for.
For a loucher, slouchy style look to the brand’s Lover bag – it’s giving Loewe’s Hammock shoulder bag, but at a fraction of the price. Keep scrolling to shop all of the Cosmo team’s fave Aupen bags below...
Aupen Purpose Bag
Aupen Lover Bag
Aupen Miracle Ice
Aupen Fearless Re-edition
Prices start from £147 and all bags are available to shop now from Aupen.com.
Rosie Davenport is an Ecommerce Writer at Cosmopolitan UK and Red Online, covering fashion, beauty and travel reviews, as well as major sales events such as Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day. Rosie has reviewed everything from Reformation dresses to the latest massage guns and knows the new brands to bookmark as well as the latest trends to follow. Before this role, Rosie was a Fashion Ecommerce Writer on publications including ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar and Good Housekeeping for nearly two years, and gained a MA from Central Saint Martins in Fashion Journalism in 2021, focussing on the rise (and rise) of fashion podcasting. Rosie has also worked at The Times, been a sub editor at The Mail on Sunday’s weekly YOU magazine and produced in-depth retail reports for the trend forecasting agency WGSN. Her career highlight? Previewing Prada’s AW21 menswear show in the depths of lockdown and interviewing Miuccia Prada and Raf Simons from her bedroom. Outside of work, Rosie can be found rummaging through vintage shops or getting lost in one of London’s iconic department stores. You can follow Rosie on Instagram @rosie.davenport
