Quiet luxury has been bouncing around in the fashion vocabulary for a few years now, but it was only early this year that it rose to prominence. The sartorial term has been associated with “if you know, you know” brands like Loro Piana, The Row, Proenza Schouler and Brunello Cucinelli. Yet, stars like Hailey Bieber, Kylie Jenner and Dakota Johnson (all who are known for their great street style) are digging deeper, choosing to give a surprisingly relatable take with affordable luxury brand AUPEN who is based in Brooklyn and Singapore.

Purchasing a luxury bag has always been a goal for me. Having just kickstarted my career, I wanted something that was of good quality but affordable. It might be a tall order because the idea of luxury is hardly associated with being cost-effective. After shopping around for a bit, I stumbled upon AUPEN after spotting it on Hailey Bieber who wore a bag from the brand to Coachella 2023. I was initially sceptical because AUPEN’s offerings echoed a modern and sleek aesthetic that is popular amongst celebrities like Nina Dobrev and Kylie Jenner, yet its prices were more competitive than their fellow contemporaries.

Hailey Bieber with the AUPEN Purpose bag
Photo: Instagram

After scrolling through the brand’s website and checking out the details and materials of their products, I was convinced to purchase a piece for myself to try out. I had three requirements that the bag had to meet: one, it has to be structured yet timeless so that I can use it long-term; two, it has to be of good quality; and three, it should have as little logo-mania as possible. I ordered Purpose in black (the one that Hailey Bieber and Dakota Johnson was seen in) and when it arrived, I was pleasantly surprised that it ticked all the right boxes.

Kylie Jenner with the AUPEN Fearless bag
Photo: AUPEN

Retailing at just SGD240/USD180, Purpose’s sleek, trapezium shape is a one-of-a-kind take on the boxy silhouette that has been dominating minimalism-inspired bags in recent years. The brand is also on a mission to be as sustainable as possible, with all of their products made with vegan leather instead of animal leathers and comes in eco-friendly packaging.

Dakota Johnson with the AUPEN Purpose bag
Photo: AUPEN

While I mostly take it with me to office or client meetings, it’s modern look makes it easy for me to dress it up or down, from day to night. The bag’s compact size might look inconvenient to some, but I was able to fit in all of my everyday essentials from lipsticks, keys, wallet and even my phone — perfect for someone who hates carrying big bags. The only con is that the bag also comes with a longer strap for a cross-body look but I found it too troublesome to swap the straps out. 

Nina Dobrev with the AUPEN Purpose bag
Photo: Instagram

In fashion, trends come and go. But I believe that quiet luxury isn’t just another aesthetic that will become passe in the future, simply because it is found on the basis of owning classic statement pieces — much like the AUPEN Purpose bag, a must-have wardrobe staple that surpasses the fickleness of fashion.

AUPEN’s Purpose (on left) and Fearless (on right)
Photo: AUPEN.com

This article was sincerely referred from Elle. 
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