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Sarah Jessica Parker knows a thing or two about buzzy designer bags — whether she’s parading through New York City as Carrie Bradshaw or herself. While you can typically count on her to carry the latest It bags from Dior, Gucci, and Fendi (“It’s not a bag, it’s a baguette!”), the actress just gave her seal of approval to affordable bag brand Freja, which has been quickly emerging as a new favorite amongst editors and fashion insiders in New York.
While promoting the upcoming season of “And Just Like That”, SJP carried Freja’s Chrystie Bag, which retails for $278, taking quiet luxury to affordable new heights. Featuring the East-West silhouette that’s reigning as one of the season’s top handbag trends, the Chrystie Bag offers a sleek shape reminiscent of the Carrie Bradshaw-loved Fendi baguette — at a fraction of the price. Its architectural construction and buttery-soft vegan leather encapsulate the ’90s minimalist aesthetic, which is why it’s become the new go-to shoulder bag spotted everywhere from downtown sidewalks to the curated feeds of style influencers all over.
Freja
Freja is also an editor-approved favorite amongst WWD’s Shop team, who have tested and reviewed the brand’s Mini Chrystie Bag — a slightly more compact version of the bag carried by SJP. Our editors loved the bag’s thoughtfully-designed details, like the surprisingly spacious interior, high-quality vegan leather, and elongated shoulder straps that hit at just the right point for comfortable, flattering wear. “The length of the two straps are just right for sitting squarely on my shoulders without feeling like the body of the bag is in my armpit,” WWD contributing editor Claire Sullivan notes. “Even when I slide it on over a chunky sweater or a blazer, the bag falls at a flattering point near my mid-waist.”
Launched in 2020, Freja was founded by designer Jenny Lei in a quest to create the perfect laptop bag. The New York-based brand originally launched with just 300 units of its now best-selling Linnea Tote, and has since expanded into a collection of everyday bags spanning from mini handhelds to sculptural shoulder bags. A nod to ’90s minimalism, the understated bags are all made of a luxe vegan leather, with most styles available to shop for under $300. Along with Sarah Jessica Parker, Freja has also built a star-studded list of celebrity fans, including Hailey Bieber, Gabrielle Union, and Katie Holmes.
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Meet the Author
Lauren Alexis Fisher is the Senior Style Commerce Editor at WWD and Footwear News, where she writes and edits fashion, beauty, and lifestyle stories. Previously, she served as Senior Editor at Cosmopolitan and Market Editor at Harper’s BAZAAR, where she oversaw digital content from fashion features to news and product reviews. With over a decade of experience as a digital fashion editor, she’s an expert in scouring the internet for the greatest emerging brands, top-rated products, and latest trends to shop.
