These days, it's no longer enough to be produce an It bag. The 2000s and their stylings may be back and experiencing a (rather long) resurgence, but the trendy mindset of the times aren't being adopted as much. We're more cognisant of our purchases—buying designs and pieces as investments instead of fleeting of-the-moment wants.

The Hermès Birkin has unwittingly become the benchmark for this enlightened approach to luxury fashion and it's not difficult to see why. It-bag status has been replaced with a flagship investment bag so tied to a fashion house that it's bound to be a perennial hallmark unaffected by trends; the Birkin's continuously sought-after demand and distinct aesthetic has made in an icon of design as well as status.

That's not to say that a fashion house like Balenciaga hasn't had hits or isn't known for a particular style. In fact, the Balenciaga City bag by former creative director Nicolas Ghesquière was an indelible part of the noughties that the House brought it back into rotation since 2021 under a rebranded Le City tag. It also became a point of reference for the Le Cagole line, featuring the former's signature studs. But a Birkin-equivalent, Le City is not.

What makes a bag worthy of being exalted to Birkin status, you ask? For one, a design that's quite unlike any other with elements you'd immediately associate it with. Like the Birkin, an icon hopeful needs to have a versatile everyday appeal and practicality while exuding a sense of elegance—you should just as easily bring it to the office and still stuff it to the brim with groceries and all manner of randomness. Then, there's the potential for it to age and age well, meaning that it has to be made with stellar craftsmanship and material. And of course, there's the aspirational pricing that offers some sort of exclusivity to owning one.

The Balenciaga Bel Air could potentially be Balenciaga's answer to the Birkin.

A completely new design by creative director Demna for Balenciaga, the Bel Air made its first appearance only this year and had already appeared in a campaign fronted by brand ambassadors Isabelle Huppert and Michelle Yeoh, and Naomi Watts in August. In the latest Bel Air campaign, Balenciaga positions the bag as a gender-neutral option with the XL iteration worn by model Kit Butler and Juyeon of K-pop group THE BOYZ.

The Bel Air is in some ways a follow-up to the Balenciaga Rodeo but packed with a bit more functionality. Unlike the latter, the Bel Air is constructed with gussets at the sides that unbuttons to transform it into a roomier piece with extended sides. The front of the Bel Air (like the Rodeo) is interchangeable as well between a clean exterior and that of a more relaxed folded front that's instantly recognisable. Space-wise, the XL version (it's also available in small and medium) is massive with a wide inner zipped compartment and a fully unobstructed interior space.

There's no denying that the Bel Air is well made too. It's crafted from smooth calfskin that's also soft enough to give that supple drape at the front. Yet at the same time, it's a sturdy piece. And going at SGD10,900 for the XL size, it isn't something that's easily accessible to a lot of people.

It may be too soon to predict how the Bel Air will fare in the luxury market. But given all that it has going for it, this could potentially be Balenciaga's next big thing, and if done right, it's very own answer to the Birkin.