Saint Laurent looks back to the early 2000s and brings back the Mombasa bag, with Bella Hadid as the face of its renewed era.
Nostalgia once again takes centre stage at Saint Laurent. The French house has officially announced the relaunch of the iconic Mombasa bag, originally introduced in the Spring/Summer 2002 collection, and does so with Bella Hadid as its modern muse — a perfect bridge between heritage and contemporary fashion.
The Mombasa returns faithful to its original slouchy silhouette, a naturally draped design that defined a relaxed, sensual aesthetic in the early 2000s. This updated edition, however, introduces subtle refinements tailored for modern, everyday wear. The bag is now available in three sizes — small, medium and large — offering versatility without compromising its effortless character.
The medium and large versions feature an interior zip pocket and calfskin suede lining, finished with a polished leather handle that enhances its functional sophistication. The design retains its relaxed shoulder fit, reinforcing an idea of effortless elegance that aligns seamlessly with the brand’s current DNA.
In terms of materials, Saint Laurent opts for Courchevel leather, vintage-finished calfskin and pony leather, presented in a refined colour palette including black, Rouge Cabernet, Santal and Dark Oat. The small size also introduces an exclusive crocodile leather version in Dark Bay Leaf, elevating the bag into a true collector’s piece.
In the campaign, Bella Hadid embodies the balance between nonchalant attitude and conscious luxury, illustrating how an archival design can converse with contemporary fashion without losing relevance. The Mombasa returns not as a simple reissue, but as a statement: icons do not age — they evolve.
With this launch, Saint Laurent reaffirms its ability to reinterpret its own legacy, proving that looking back is not about nostalgia alone, but about discovering new ways to move forward.
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