The Best Aupen Handbags
If you’ve been paying attention to celebrity style lately, you’ve probably noticed that a lot of the biggest stars—from Taylor Swift to Selena Gomez to Kylie Jenner—have been carrying various structural, asymmetrical bags. It turns out that they’re all from the same up-and-coming brand, and the pieces are surprisingly affordable, making it easy to get the look for yourself. We took a deep dive into this handbag trend so you don’t have to—keep reading to learn all about Aupen, from the brand philosophy to standout celeb sightings to our favorite products to shop.
About the Brand
Founded in 2022 by Skye Tan, Aupen is a vegan, ethical handbag brand with studios in Brooklyn and Singapore. The label prioritizes both sustainability and craftsmanship, creating statement-making yet sophisticated designs that empower the wearer to make conscious choices without sacrificing style or a luxury feel. Each bag is made of circular, primarily recycled materials, which has earned the brand stamps of approval from several environmental organizations and EU certification bodies.
Aupen has quickly become iconic for its signature asymmetrical designs, which come in a wide variety of colors and variations. The overall aesthetic feels seasonless but intentional, which is ideal if you're looking to invest in a bag you'll love for years to come. Most of the pieces have uplifting names—Purpose, Fearless, and Nirvana, to name a few—and there are options for every taste, whether you prefer classic black, a statement shade, or luxe details like chains and crystal fringe.
The Trend
Aupen has gotten a lot of recent attention after Taylor Swift carried the brand’s Nirvana bag to the “SNL” season premiere afterparty (hand-in-hand with Travis Kelce, no less). It actually wasn’t even the first time she stepped out with the style, as she paired it with a Hill House matching set back in August while attending Jack Antonoff and Margaret Qualley’s rehearsal dinner. With its classic black shade and braided handle, it’s easy to see why the pop megastar has quickly made this bag a staple in her collection.
Despite being one of the biggest stars to carry one of the bags so far, Swift is far from the first. For one, Karlie Kloss attended the “Eras Tour” in early August with a black Aupen bag in tow—none other than the Fearless Re-Edition (a choice if we’ve ever seen one). Gabrielle Union embraced a statement olive take on the same style in mid-September as well as the now-sold-out original Fearless in white late last November, while Zaya Wade made a statement in a light blue version of the Nirvana this past May.
Still, no one was earlier to welcome the trend with Aupen arms than Kylie Jenner, who wore the original Fearless Noir in early November 2022, shortly after the brand launched. We've certainly said it before, and we'll say it again: no one works harder than Kris Jenner.
Aupen’s Purpose bag—one of the most affordable at $180—has proven to be the most widespread celebrity favorite so far. Hailey Bieber showcased her impressive ability to set a trend when she tried the style in April, while Olivia Rodrigo wore the same bag in Tokyo in September, proving that the asymmetrical silhouette and classic black finish work well whether your style leans more minimalist or you love a modern Y2K statement. Selena Gomez and Ashley Park have both embraced a sparkly variation (the Purpose Ice), which features crystal fringe and a bedazzled exterior.
With the sheer amount of major stars who have worn the bags over the course of just a year, it's clear that Aupen is skyrocketing to a fame all its own—and we're so here for it, given the bags' accessibility and timeless statement designs. Scroll on to see seven of our favorite styles to shop now.
The Best Aupen Handbags to Shop
Purpose
Aupen Purpose $180.00
This celeb-favorite style is made to be an intentional everyday bag, with a comfortable shoulder strap and minimalist design that creates interest with its modern, asymmetrical shape. The classic version comes in two timeless neutral shades (noir black and snow white), either of which will pair effortlessly with almost any look.
Nirvana
Aupen Nirvana $340.00
Taylor Swift’s go-to bag of the moment, the Nirvana style is a bit roomier and slouchier, with a braided handle, a flat bottom, and an asymmetrical profile at the top. It features a small gold charm and comes in nine colors at the moment—we love the idea of hopping on fall’s scarlet trend by opting for Rouge.
Fearless Re-Edition
Aupen Fearless Re-Edition $340.00
The original Fearless bag was such an early favorite that it’s sold out in almost every shade, but luckily the re-edition is just as stunning. It’s similar to the Nirvana, but with more minimalist, structured design that feels perfect for complementing a quiet luxury look. It comes in six colors, ensuring there’s an option for you whether you feel more powerful in a classic neutral or a vivid statement shade.
Purpose with Chain
Aupen Purpose with Chain $200.00
If you love Aupen's ever-popular Purpose silhouette but want to take a road less traveled, the brand offers a version with a gold chain strap, available in several statement shades plus an earthy brown. We imagine it isn't long before a celebrity steps out with one of these, and wouldn't it be fun to say you beat the stars to the trend?
Lover
Aupen Lover $260.00
The second bag on this list to have a name that coincides with a Taylor Swift album (go figure), Lover is roomier than most Aupen bags and features a subtly sensual top opening that looks a bit like a pair of lips. Paired with its neutral hues and adjustable shoulder-to-crossbody strap, this is an ideal day-to-night bag that feels equally appropriate in the boardroom as at a romantic dinner.
Purpose Ice
Aupen Purpose Ice $340.00
Another take on Aupen’s most iconic silhouette so far, the Purpose Ice has major party potential with its crystal fringe and bedazzled exterior. We’re already imagining all the luxe coats we could pair it with for all our winter night-out needs, but the versatile statement bag is primed to complement looks year-round.
Precious
Aupen Precious $120.00
If mini bags are more your speed or you prefer something more symmetrical, this one's for you. Precious features structured sides and an embossed finish (or not, depending on your preference), and if it looks sort of like a makeup bag to you, it can absolutely serve that purpose as it comes with a pocket mirror on the inside lid. Take it with you on a busy evening with your lipstick, phone, and other essentials in tow, and you certainly won't be disappointed.
