As a fashion content writer, I find it interesting how the significance of luxury fashion is constantly changing. Designer bags are not just for one type of consumer or a traditional idea of who should carry them. Henry Smith is a great example of this evolution combining his relaxed personal style with an increasing love of designer and vintage handbags.
Smith, online as Henry Henry Henry Henry Hen, has amassed an impressive bag collection in just a few years. In his collection, you’ll find items from the likes of Chanel, Bottega Veneta, Louis Vuitton and Goyard. The bags are interesting, but what makes his story so interesting is the way he approaches collecting them through personal taste, fashion history, and genuine appreciation.
In his interview with Vogue, Smith says that his older sister Beatrice had a strong appreciation for fashion, art, museums and galleries and this was one of the reasons for his interest in fashion. He grew up around that environment, which helped expose him to the creative side of fashion early on.
From Music Inspiration to a Growing Bag Collection
Smith’s love of handbags came later, in part thanks to his love of rap music and fashion personalities. He remembers seeing artists like A$AP Rocky, Luka Sabbat, and Kerwin Frost with designer bags and Goyard trunks. Social media also has exposed him to more styles and influenced his interest in luxury accessories.
His first big handbag purchase was a green Goyard tote with a zipper, which he bought about three years before his Vogue interview. That acquisition was a watershed moment in his development as a collector. From there his passion grew to include vintage bags, designer history and the details that make each piece unique.
One of the treasures in his collection is a Bottega Veneta Andiamo. Smith said he uses it constantly when he travels and the wear and tear has only increased his appreciation for the bag. A luxury bag for him is not only something to keep in perfect condition, it can also be part of everyday life and have memories along the way.
A Personal Approach to Luxury and Vintage Fashion
Another one that sticks with me is Smith’s Chanel bag from 1997, the year he was born. He found the sequined piece on Fashionphile, and was immediately drawn to the condition and provenance. It was his first Chanel bag and one of the most meaningful pieces in his collection.
What interests me most about Smith’s collection is his attitude to shopping. Instead of buying every bag because he likes it, he talks about waiting for a certain feeling before buying. His frequent trips to New York and visits to vintage platforms allow him to find unusual pieces and learn more about different fashion eras.
Also his interests show how much his tastes are developing now. He has also spoken about his love for the work of Matthieu Blazy, vintage Chloé Paddington bags, Gucci designs during the Tom Ford years, and older Louis Vuitton pieces. He also said that he would like to have a Louis Vuitton Neverfull in his collection.
As a fashion writer, I see Henry Smith’s story as an example of luxury accessories becoming more personal and inclusive. His relaxed style and penchant for designer bags defy the notion that handbags are meant for a particular gender or type of fashion consumer. But more importantly, his collection speaks volumes about fashion as an exercise in curiosity, self-expression, history and finding pieces that really speak to you.