Antonio Mancinelli presents new book on the history of handbags

During Milan Fashion Week, fashion expert Antonio Mancinelli presented his new book, ‘La Borsa. 200 anni, 5 continenti’, published by Marsilio Arte. The work offers an anthropological, sociological, and psychological exploration of the handbag, framing it as a ‘portable self’ that acts as a boundary between the individual and the external world.

Mancinelli argues that while clothing presents a persona, the handbag ‘preserves the evidence’ by holding intimate items such as documents, keys, and personal talismans. The book features a selection of 300 items from Roberta Butti’s collection, organized by occasion of use—ranging from work bags to ceremonial pieces—rather than by brand, chronology, or geography. This approach emphasizes the handbag as a universal object that transcends social status.

The text also explores historical and theoretical connections, such as the ‘Carrier Bag Theory,’ which suggests that the first human tool may have been a container rather than a weapon. The book includes a contribution from philosopher Emanuele Coccia and references archaeological findings, such as the pouch carried by the Iceman (Ötzi).