About the Saint Laurent Kate Collection
As one of Saint Laurent’s most varied, versatile and recognizable handbags, there’s a Kate purse for every YSL devotee. This elegant flap bag debuted in 2014 as the “Classic Monogram,” and YSL renamed it “Kate” In 2016. Long after its initial release, the French fashion house continues reinventing this signature bag through new colorways, sizes and styles.
Design and Features of the Saint Laurent Kate Collection
Featuring a fold-over flap, sleek leather, a chain/leather strap and the striking YSL initials, Yves Saint Laurent’s Kate handbag collection boasts a classic, rectangular silhouette. While they may vary from iteration to iteration, most YSL Kate bags include the following elements:
- Front flap
- Magnetic snap fastening
- YSL initials
- Leather or grosgrain lining
- Chain/leather strap
- Interior slot or zipper pocket
Over the years, the YSL Kate collection has evolved to include bags of various sizes, from a petit chain wallet to the Kate Medium Bag with space for all your essentials. Versatility is key — most bags in the Kate style can be carried in multiple ways. The line has grown to include belt bags and a chic clutch, but the most common YSL Kate bags come in the following styles and sizes (width x height x depth):
- YSL Kate 99 Bag: 10.2 X 5.3 X 1.7 inches
- YSL Kate Chain Wallet: 7.4 x 4.9 x 1.5 inches
- YSL Kate Small Bag:
- Original style dimensions: 6.7 x 4.5 x 2 inches
- New style dimensions: 7.8 X 4.9 X 1.9 inches
- YSL Kate Medium Bag: 11.2 X 7.8 X 2.3 inches
The Kate 99 bag has a wider baguette shape with an interior compartment, an interchangeable chain (9.5-inch strap drop) plus an adjustable leather strap (19.5 to 22-inch strap drop), making it easy for the collector to transition this bag into a clutch.
The YSL Kate Chain Wallet, on the other hand, differs as it has six card slots, one zip coin pocket and one bill compartment. Like the Kate 99 bag, the Chain Wallet includes removable leather and chain shoulder straps, this time with a 23.6-inch strap drop.
Similar to the other styles, the YSL Kate Medium bag features an interior slot pocket and a sliding metal chain strap with an 18.9-inch strap drop so collectors can double it up to wear as a shoulder bag. The Kate Medium also comes in a reversible option with a slouchier silhouette: suede on one side and smooth leather on the other.
Additional Yves Saint Laurent Kate Styles
Saint Laurent also released a Kate Belt bag and a Kate clutch. The YSL Kate Belt bag features one main compartment, one open pocket, one zippered pocket, four card slots and an adjustable strap—its dimensions are 7 X 4.7 X 1.7 inches. The YSL Kate clutch has an interior slot pocket, measures 10.6 X 4.9 X 1.9 inches and does include a strap.
Materials and Craftsmanship of the Yves Saint Laurent Kate Collection
All of Saint Laurent’s handbags are expertly crafted in Italy using the finest materials, with most of the Kate collection produced using calfskin or lambskin leather. Still, there’s a seemingly endless array of materials, including snakeskin, canvas, raffia, bouclé tweed, linen, brocade fabric and denim. What’s more, YSL Kate bags have multiple finishes. The leather can be smooth, grained, suede, patent, printed, metallic, croc-embossed, coated and even laminated. Other styles come with embellishments like metal studs, crystals or sequins. The metal chains, monograms and other hardware on YLS Kate bags have variations in gold, bronze and silver tones, as well as oxidized nickel and colored metal.
Saint Laurent Kate Collection’s Value and Collectibility
Because Saint Laurent is a preeminent fashion house, their pieces, including the iconic Kate handbags, retain their value over time. In early 2021, pre-loved YSL Kate 99 bags sold for, on average, more than $600, while pre-owned Medium bags could fetch approximately $1,300.