The Mombasa YSL bag - now Vintage

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CHICTILLTHEEND

Member
Sep 1, 2020
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#1
Hi guys!

I’ve recently found out about the ysl mombasa bag, thanks to bottegas interpretation of it.

Since than I am obsessed with it. Especially because of the vintage look. Also I can see myself wearing it a ton.

so my questions would be

when did it came out ?
how many sizes were available back than ?(measurements would be much appreciated)

and should I go for leather version or canvas ? is it a real horn ?

thank you so much in advance and if you own this bag please share a picture of it. I‘ve seen so many versions of this bag and I love them all♥
 
#2
Gucci did the horn handle first in the 1950s before TF plundered their archive for YSL (just like Gucci did the saddle bag before JG for Dior). Gucci's handle was probably wild boar, TF for YSL usually uses deer horn, but the bag's handle has been created in many variations including in metal.

TF joined YSL in 1999 when the Gucci Group (now Kering) bought the RTW label, got rid of Alber Elbaz* who served 3 seasons ('98 from Guy Laroche and later to Lanvin). TF was credited with turning round Gucci and was tasked to bring a lot of that sex-appeal to YSL. He was said to have left to pursue his own label - at least that was the official line.

The name Mombassa is from Kenya. The bag is oddly named since Saint Laurant's links were with Algeria and then Morocco, no doubt it fitted TF's obsession with YSL's safari looks of the late 1960s and early '70s.


(*Saint Laurent and Pierre Berger were happy with Elbaz and scathing of Tom Ford's designs)
 
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#5
papertiger said:
It seems like the bag (as a shoulder bag) had two different length drops too (?)
Click to expand...
The strap was adjustable, with a hook on both sides - giving you up to an additional 3” drop (6” longer.)

From what I remember - and it’s been 15 years since I last cared (that sounds terrible) they sold replacement handles also. I don’t remember if you could change handles between the Messenger and Classic Mombasa
 
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#6
CHICTILLTHEEND said:
Hi guys!

I’ve recently found out about the ysl mombasa bag, thanks to bottegas interpretation of it.

Since than I am obsessed with it. Especially because of the vintage look. Also I can see myself wearing it a ton.

so my questions would be

when did it came out ?
how many sizes were available back than ?(measurements would be much appreciated)

and should I go for leather version or canvas ? is it a real horn ?

thank you so much in advance and if you own this bag please share a picture of it. I‘ve seen so many versions of this bag and I love them all♥
Click to expand...
Found this on the blog.
www.purseblog.com

Throwback Thursday: A Look Back at the YSL Mombasa - PurseBlog

Say what you will, but OG bag lovers would certainly agree: the early 2000s were some of the best years in handbag history. The Dior Saddle and the Fendi Baguette had their pop-culture moments under…
www.purseblog.com www.purseblog.com
 
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