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On her first photographed date with Travis Kelce last year, Taylor Swift donned a checkered trench coat, chunky heels, and Versace’s Medusa ’95 Satin Corset Top. Those who looked a little closer, however, could spot an item perhaps more noteworthy than this pairing of two A-listers from the worlds of sports and entertainment: the Aupen Nirvana Noir bag, which Swift carried by its braided leather handle while holding Kelce’s hand.
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift arrive at SNL afterparty on October 15, 2023 in New York City. Swift is donning Aupen’s Nirvana Noir bag.
Gotham/Getty Images
After that moment, it’s safe to say all eyes were on designer handbags by Aupen. Other celebrities were constantly wearing iterations of the style, so much so that finding one in a paparazzi shot became akin to spotting Easter eggs throughout a movie. Olivia Rodrigo paired the Nirvana Crocodile (unreleased as of now) with a camel-hued suede skirt and black leather mock neck top; Charli XCX put a fur coat spin on the Swift-approved Nirvana Noir; Lady Gaga donned the same affordable bag in conjunction with a long-sleeve red dress; and Selena Gomez clutched a previous version of the Nirvana Ice while wearing a glamorous, all-black ensemble to an ex’s wedding.
The ubiquitousness of Aupen — a brand that launched in November 2022 and revealed the name of its founder, Nicholas Tan, only two years later — comes at a price. Nirvana bags have been sold out until only recently, for instance. Now, they’re back in stock for what multiple sources say might be the final time.
But what exactly makes Aupen’s offerings so special? It’s an eco-luxury brand, which entered the market with vegan leather materials and then expanded to Leather Working Group–certified calfskin leather. “Our customer is a girl who is sophisticated and looking for something that is understated yet timeless and elegant. She’s not necessarily chasing fashion trends,” Tan told WWD in a 2024 interview. “We believe that the sculptural designs depart from the traditional rectangular silhouettes that are quite common across most brands today.”
Indeed, the bags’ silhouettes are just what’s needed to elevate otherwise conventional going-out attire, and the Nirvana line’s diversity in particular (there’s suede in a Pantone Color of the Year–adjacent chocolate; leather dotted with sparkling crystals; woven raffia detailing; teddy-bear-soft faux shearling; and beyond) means it’s truly an all-occasions, all-seasons gem of a shoulder bag.
In light of the buzzy Nirvana bag restock, we urge you to act fast: Clearly, the items have been selling out like hot cakes, fueled in no small part by celebrity-driven hype. Prices for the style range from $340 to $420, and those feeling bold can add on the $800 Lumière charm made of gold-tone metal and crystal.
Shop Top Nirvana Bag Styles from Aupen
Aupen Nirvana Noir Bag
Price upon publish date of this article: $420
Aupen Nirvana Buckle Bag
Price upon publish date of this article: $340
Aupen Nirvana Ice Bag
Price upon publish date of this article: $340
Aupen Nirvana Teddy Earth Bag
Price upon publish date of this article: $340
Aupen Nirvana Crochet Bag
Price upon publish date of this article: $340
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Meet the Author
Stacia Datskovska is a Senior Commerce Writer at WWD. Previously, she worked at ELLE DECOR as an assistant digital editor, covering all things luxury, culture, and lifestyle through a design lens. Her bylines over the past five years have appeared in USA Today, Baltimore Sun, Teen Vogue, Boston Globe, Food & Wine, and more. Prior to joining ELLE DECOR, Datskovska learned the ins and outs of e-commerce at Mashable, where she tested products, covered tentpole sales events, and curated gift guide roundups. She graduated from NYU with a bachelor’s degree in journalism and international relations. Datskovska regularly reports on celebrity style and sought-after products.
