About the Saint Laurent Niki Bag
Initially released in Saint Laurent’s (previously known as ‘Yves Saint Laurent’) Spring 2018 campaign, the YSL Niki bag has an edgy vibe much adored by fashion lovers worldwide. Since its launch, the Niki line has evolved into many styles, including shopping bags, wallets, belt bags and more. It has a somewhat slouchy silhouette and a rock-and-roll feel—particularly in the original crinkled leather styles—while also functional with plenty of interior space and pockets.
Design and Features of the Saint Laurent Niki Bag
The YSL Niki bag’s relaxed design makes it easy to carry as a casual everyday option or to dress up for more formal occasions. The rectangular bag has a sliding chain strap that can be worn long as a crossbody or doubled as a shoulder bag. The chain also has a leather tab for shoulder comfort, a practical feature that also adds to its edge. Most noticeably, perhaps, is the signature YSL monogram on the front of each bag.
The Niki small, medium and large iterations have the same style with a fold-over flap, while the Niki Shopping bag in medium and large has a slouchy tote shape with an open compartment. Other versions of the Niki bag and wallet are unique in their own ways, but all versions have the following:
- YSL monogram hardware
- Grosgrain lining
- Magnetized snap fastening (except the Niki wallets)
- Chain and leather strap (except the Niki Wallets)
In addition to a myriad of color options, the Niki bag comes in many different sizes and style variations. There’s a YSL Niki bag perfect for a fun night out, as well as one that’ll hold your laptop, notebooks, sneakers and more. For a YSL Niki size comparison, see the dimensions below:
- YSL Niki Wallet on Chain: 7.25” x 6” x 3.25”
This particular Niki has an adjustable strap with a 21.7” strap drop when worn as a crossbody or doubled as a shoulder bag. The fold-over flap covers the main compartment with a zippered pocket and four card slots. There’s also a slot pocket on the back of the bag.
- YSL Niki Baby: 8.2” x 6.2” x 2.9”
This bag has a crossbody strap drop of 22.4” that the collector can also double. There’s one central compartment with a slot pocket, another pocket under the flap closure and one more on the back of the bag with a magnetized snap closure.
- YSL Niki Medium: 11” x 7.8” x 3.3”
With the same overall shape as the Niki Baby and Niki Large, the Niki Medium has a strap drop of 20.1” as a crossbody and 10.2” as a shoulder bag. It has a central compartment, one zip pocket, one flat pocket and one open pocket at the front.
- YSL Niki Large: 12.5” x 9” x 3.5”
The YSL Niki Large bag has the same strap dimensions, compartments and pockets as the medium model though its more substantial size make it possible to hold a laptop with room to spare.
- YSL Niki Medium Shopping Bag: 12.9” x 10.6” x 4.5”
The smaller of the two Shopping bags, this one has a shoulder strap drop of 18.5” and a 10.6” folded strap drop. It has one spacious compartment with a magnetic snap closure and interior zip and wall pockets.
- YSL Niki Large Shopping Bag: 12.9” x 12.4” x 4.9”
The Niki Large Shopping bag has the same internal compartments as the medium, but its strap drop is 16.5” and 9.4” when doubled.
- YSL Niki BB Shoulder Bag: 11” x 6” x 3.5”
The Niki BB’s belt-style chain strap has pin-buckle fastening and can be adjusted to wear as a crossbody or a shoulder bag. Its fold-over flap has a magnetic snap closure over a zipped main compartment with an internal zip pocket.
- YSL Niki Belt Bag: 11.5” x 6.5” x 3.25”
You can go totally hands-free with the Niki Belt bag, which has an adjustable chain and leather strap with pin-buckle fastening. Like the YSL Niki BB Shoulder bag, this style features a fold-over flap with magnetic snap closure, a zippered main compartment and one interior zip pocket.
- YSL Niki Bill Pouch: 8” x 5”
This flat bill pouch has rounded corners with a zip closure for the main compartment as well as an external slot pocket.
- YSL Niki Large Flap Wallet: 8” x 4.5” x 1.5”
This harder-to-find piece includes trademarked features like the YSL monogram, fold-over flap with a snap fastener plus six card slots, one note slot and zippered interior pocket.
- YSL Niki Bi-fold Wallet: Approx. 5.1” x 3.5”
There are two versions of the Niki Bi-fold wallet: One with zip closure and one with a snap fastener. They both have several card slots, coin compartments and a place for bills.
Materials and Craftsmanship of the Saint Laurent Niki Bag
Saint Laurent’s handbags are all made in Italy using the highest quality materials assembled by expert craftsmen. The YSL Niki bag comes in a wide variety of materials, including calfskin, lambskin, ostrich, python, alligator, shearling and canvas. Most of these materials are slightly softer and subtle, making the Niki bag less structural than some of YSL’s other offerings. The most common leather finishing is crinkled, but the Niki also comes in smooth, suede, embossed, woven and nubuck.
Many bags in the Niki line accentuate YSL’s signature chevron stitching, and as far as colors go, they come in every shade of the rainbow. The brand typically covers its signature YSL monogram in coordinating leather for a sleek monochromatic look, while the metal hardware can come in bronze, gold, silver (shiny and brushed) and black tones.
The Saint Laurent Niki Bag’s Value and Collectibility
Though Saint Laurent only released the Niki collection in 2018, its quick rise to cult status makes it a desirable collector’s handbag. If well taken care of, a YSL bag will maintain its worth. In early 2021, pre-loved YSL Niki bags in medium often fetch approximately $1,700 on the resale market, while its tinier iteration, pre-owned YSL Niki small bags, sell for more than $1,400.