I Tested the New Bag Spotted on Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, and Kylie Jenner – Is It Worth the Hype?

Over the years of working in the fashion industry, my Asian parents, who had always envisioned me as a future scientist, saw me as someone drifting through life without a “real” job — gallivanting from Paris to Milan during fashion weeks. However, this time as I meticulously packed my suitcase, I couldn’t help but be taken aback when my Mom inquired about one of my new bags, the Nirvana from an emerging brand AUPEN. It was a surprising shift from her usual disinterest in my fashion endeavours. Perhaps she had been captivated by its unique design or maybe she’d noticed how I’d willingly swapped out three other bags for it, but she decided to claim Nirvana. It was a moment that caught me by surprise and brought a smile to my face.

I’ve previously written about the brand, but I couldn’t resist purchasing after seeing Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo and Selena Gomez all wearing it. What stood out was how these celebrities wore these bags everywhere, from casual street outings to glamorous red-carpet events and even afterparties. Their standout designs added the finishing touches to Kylie Jenner, Tracee Ellis Ross, Gabrielle Union and Jessica Biel’s everyday looks. Selena Gomez and Ashley Park exuded elegance with the Purpose Ice. Hailey Bieber and Gal Gadot balanced sophistication in their event outfits, while Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo wore AUPEN’s little black bags with solid black dresses. If Chanel gave us the iconic little black dress, get ready for AUPEN to own the spotlight as the little black bag.

Everything you need to know about Aupen’s collection:

On Taylor Swift, Karlie Kloss, and Selena Gomez

On Gabrielle Union, Gal Gadot, and Ashley Park

On Tracee Ellis Ross, Oliver Rodrigo, and Hailey Bieber

On Fan Bing Bing, Kylie Jenner, and Jessica Biel

Among the three styles I tried on, the Nirvana and the Fearless Re-edition are the bigger bags that can store everything from your cellphone, charger, power bank and sunglasses. They are the perfect size for everyday use while looking stylish. The gold charm adds detail to the Nirvana, making an otherwise basic outfit pop. I love the fact it is big enough to fit your essentials but still sharp enough to make a statement. As far as statement pieces go that is this versatile – you will be lucky to pay less than 800 USD. AUPEN’s bags define recession fashion that won’t burn a hole in your pocket. Durability-wise, they passed my test. Scratches? Easily buffed. Wine spills? Solved with a wet wipe. If these bags came with crossbody straps – I would be even more impressed. Nonetheless, the versatility of the Nirvana and Fearless Re-Edition was a lifesaver as I was able to seamlessly transition from the runway show to the after-party with the Nirvana Flame and the Fearless Re-Edition Noir.

The Purpose is smaller, and its versatility comes with its unique shape and box leather shine. It makes an otherwise basic outfit edgy and pairs easily with other items in my wardrobe. One problem is that you need to be calculated with what you put in there – it is not big enough to fit sunglasses or both your makeup and phone. However, with a price tag of 180 USD, it is the epitome of an affordable bag that impresses in the day and shines in the night. 

Finally, here’s how other influencers are styling these bags into their daily lives.