The Y2K Archive

Authentic Y2K Dior is John Galliano's Trotter canvas, Rasta stripes, denim and the Saddle, made when the pieces were new rather than reissued. Among the eight in this grid, I would look first at the Christian Dior Rasta Trotter Canvas Canvas Messenger Bag, the Christian Dior Multicolor Trotter Canvas Rasta Saddle Bag and the Christian Dior Black Canvas Street Chic Shoulder Bag.

 

They are louder than anything made in homage today. For more Dior, see The Art of Vintage Dior.

Gucci's Abbey Pocket styles are listed as early 2000s, and Fendi's Baguette ran into the decade after its 1997 launch. Among the eight in this grid, I would look first at the Fendi Beige Embellished Baguette, the Gucci Original GG Canvas Indy Hobo and the Fendi Brown Zucca Canvas Mama.

 

The slouchy shapes still feel right. For more on the house, see The Gucci Years.

They are bright, slightly loud and entirely of their moment. Among the eight in this grid, I would look first at the Louis Vuitton Beige Monogram Mini Lin Bucket PM, the Takashi Murakami x Louis Vuitton Black Monogram and the Takashi Murakami x Louis Vuitton Black Monogram.

 

For the full artist story, see The Louis Vuitton Collector's Club.

Chanel in the 2000s gave us the Chocolate Bar, acrylic minaudières and Camellia pieces, all with a playful, glossy feel. They show a house that was happy to be a little silly.

 

Among the eight in this grid, I would look first at the Chanel Paris-Cosmopolite Black & Gold Sequin Please Dare To, the Chanel Black Leather Chocolate Bar Shoulder Bag and the Chanel Black Patent Leather Camellia Round Chain Clutch.

 

For more from this side of Chanel, see The Collectible Chanel Edit.

The real thing looks best when the rest of the outfit is simple. A Murakami bag with jeans is still a great combination, and a Trotter saddle works with almost anything.

 

Start with one piece, check its design year, and wear it often. Authentic early-2000s fashion has a confidence that modern imitations rarely match, and the best way to appreciate it is to use it.