Erdem Moralioglu, known for his dreamy and romantic dresses, is now launching his first handbag called the Bloom. This new venture comes after almost two decades of designing intricate botanical-inspired garments for his namesake label. The Bloom handbag, available in November, comes in three colorways, two sizes, and two fabrications, highlighting the designer’s duality of pragmatism and poetry in his work. Inspired by the pioneering writer Radclyffe Hall, the Bloom handbag made its debut at Erdem’s spring 2025 runway show in London, adding a touch of whimsy and poetry to the collection.
The boxy shape of the Bloom handbag is both practical and soft, allowing for ease of use without the need for delicate handling. The bag features a sculptural brass bloom as a top handle, reminiscent of Art Nouveau design, artisan-crafted in Forlì, Italy. Each handle takes hours to sculpt and resembles a unique flower-like shape. The detachable strap also allows for the bag to be worn as a crossbody, adding to its versatility and practicality for everyday use. The bag’s design reflects a blend of masculine and feminine elements, mirroring the contrasting silhouettes explored in Erdem’s collections.
Moralioglu’s love for flowers stems from his childhood in Montreal, where his mother tended to a garden of tulips surrounding their family home. Today, he and his husband enjoy visits to their favorite gardens at Great Dixter in East Sussex, as well as tending to their own flower plot in their Bloomsbury townhouse. Despite the unconventional location overlooking a deconsecrated cemetery, the garden blooms with magnolia blossoms and roses, showcasing the beauty that can emerge from unexpected places over time. This juxtaposition of beauty and decay mirrors the designer’s aesthetic of finding magic and poetry in unexpected places.
The launch of the Bloom handbag marks a new chapter for Erdem Moralioglu’s brand, expanding beyond his signature romantic garments to include accessories. The handbag’s design emphasizes the importance of craftsmanship and attention to detail, with the hand-sculpted brass bloom handle serving as a unique and eye-catching feature. The practicality of the bag, combined with its poetic design, reflects the designer’s ability to seamlessly blend function and beauty in his work. As Moralioglu continues to explore new creative ventures, the Bloom handbag represents a shift towards a more holistic approach to design, incorporating elements of nature and artistry into everyday accessories.
