The designer dupes you're probably wearing.

And the fascinating stories behind them.

Aug 28, 2024

It’s one of the most quoted movie scenes of all time.

I’m talking about the iconic “Cerulean Blue” monologue, expertly delivered by Meryl Streep in The Devil Wears Prada.

In the scene, Miranda Priestley, the renowned editor of Runway magazine, schools her assistant Andie Sachs, played by Anne Hathaway, on the origin story of her lumpy blue sweater. That blue, she says, actually started its life cycle on the runway at Oscar De La Renta. Not that Andie would have had a clue about that.

It’s a clever commentary on the way designer fashion influences the wardrobes of the masses — who are often oblivious to what they’re actually wearing. And it’s just as relevant now as it was when the movie came out 18 years ago. (Yep, I officially feel old.)

On this week’s episode of Nothing To Wear, fashion commentator Glynis Traill-Nash joins host Leigh Campbell to discuss the rise of the designer dupe, and the “trickle down” effect that sees luxury-inspired items popping up across the high street.

The duo discusses some of the most iconic luxury investment pieces that have been, shall we say, heavily referenced in fashion culture.

From a very boujie bracelet to an inescapable woven bag, here are three you’ll definitely recognise - followed by some more accessible finds Leigh discovered to channel the look.

Listen to the full episode below and hear about all the pieces.

The Cartier LOVE Bracelet.

You can barely leave the house without seeing someone in a gold bangle inspired by Cartier’s legendary design, which is just as famous for its novelty factor as its eye-watering price. The bracelet features tiny screws that need to be secured by a special screwdriver, and once it’s on, you can’t remove it yourself (the idea is that your lover keeps the screwdriver — cute!)

Italian jewellery designer Aldo Cipullo created the bracelet in 1969, with a vision of a jewellery piece that would unite people through love. He initially offered it to Tiffany & Co and they rejected the design, so he took it to Cartier.

Nowadays there are plenty of similar pieces on the jewellery market, but none with quite the cachet of the original.

Cartier LOVE bracelet, small model in yellow gold, $7,750.

Cartier LOVE bracelet. The original and the priciest.

Get the look.

Queen & Co Magnum Bracelet, $95.

Queen & Co Magnum bracelet. Not so original and definitely not so pricey.

The Chanel tweed jacket.

As Glynis recalls in the episode, Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel became enamoured with tweed in the 1920s when she was dating the Duke of Westminster and introduced the famed jacket style for which the house of Chanel is so known after World War II.

“The tweed skirt suit was one of her iconic ensembles,” Glynis says. But the look found a new appreciation when Karl Lagerfeld took over at Chanel in the eighties. “It’s always been a house signature, but he really embraced it,” she adds.

Chanel has released the tweed jacket in countless silhouettes and styles over the years, but what you won’t notice until you have a real one in your hand, says Glynis, is that the bottom of the jacket has a chain stitched into it so that it hangs perfectly, “just to add some weight to that hem.” The more you know!

Chanel Wool & Alpaca Tweed Jacket, $13,260.

The famed Chanel jacket: making tweed aspirational since the ‘50s.

Get the look.

Belle & Bloom Power Over Me Tweed Jacket, on sale for $139.96.

Belle & Bloom jacket. Inspired by Coco’s style genius.

The Bottega Veneta Intrecciato bag.

A cult Bottega Veneta bag seen on the street.

Italian label Bottega Veneta had a massive resurgence from 2019-2021 under the tenure of former Creative Director Daniel Lee, who took the house in a more modern direction.

One of his greatest legacies is bringing a new currency to the brand’s “Intrecciato” line of leather handbags. Remember when everyone and anyone had a woven bag on their arm? Yep, that’s all down to the “new Bottega” effect. Of course, the turnaround also has to be credited to a revamped social media presence and clever influencer strategy.

A few years down the line, woven accessories are still a firm street-style favourite, in all the shops and just as desirable as ever.