It’s what’s inside that counts. Haven’t we always known that? And, yet, when we first came across Kate Spade’s 2000 coffee-table book Contents, we were shocked by just how much we could gather about a woman by the contents of her purse. (That's a certain sort of “ inside,” right?) Chalk it up to great market research on Spade’s part, but the book of intimate portraits of our female heroes (Polly Mellen, Mary Boone, Susan Morrison, etc) is as much of who’s-who as it is a guide to being a successful modern woman. Especially when it comes to personal maintenance. No matter how minimalist the woman, not a single handbag was free of a touch-up tool, be it Binaca or Chanel lipstick. And though the tome was published more than 13 years ago—when the Kate Spade Reena was THE accessory [Ed. note: Boxy bags are back, so consider breaking yours out?]—very few of the objects photographed would look out of place in our bags today (we’re kind of dying to try “The Minimalist’s Paella” recipe from the New York Times that Susan Morrison carries with her), save for the flip cell phones, the SPF count (50 is the new 8), and OK, maybe the Leonard Cohen VHS.
So, yes, we learned a lot from this limited-edition production, both when it first came out and when we re-discovered it just a few weeks ago—for example, Helen Gurley Brown took the bus. Here, we’ve highlighted a few of our favorite 'women of content,' and more importantly, what's in their bag(s).
000001: Helen Gurley Brown , Editor
USA Flag Estée Lauder Compact
Leopard print tissues
Fran Wilson Muted Brown Luxury Liner
Black Philip Kingsley comb
Gale Hayman Hot Coral Lipstick
Lancôme Flamelle Lipstick
Never in her handbag? “Pills.”
000003: Mary Boone , Gallerist
Chanel Intensity 3 Light Beige Double Perfection Makeup Compact SPF 8
Chanel Tawny Lipstick
Chanel Aqua Crayon Color Stick
Chanel Cognac Color Stick
Never in her handbag? “Clutter.”
000004: Polly Mellen , Stylist
Oral B Oral Hygiene implement
Goody comb
Louis Vuitton cosmetics case
Revlon nail file with tortoise handle
Medicated ChapStick
Binaca Peppermint Spray
YSL Gris Deco Nail Polish
NARS Triple X Lip Gloss
Never in her handbag? N/A
000016: Kim Garner , former Senior Vice President of marketing & artist development, Universal Republic Records
La Perla Body Silk Eau de Parfum
Stila Chinois Eyeshadow
Philosophy Sun Bronze
Philosophy Kiss Me Lip Balm
Goody Hair Brush
Sweet Breath Spearmint Concentrated Spray
Stila Mood Eyeshadow
Essie Pretty in Pink nail polish
Stila Convertible Color Compact
Stila Bouquet Eyeshadow
Lancôme Definicils Mascara
Bobbi Brown Navy Eyeshadow
Cetaphil
Never in her handbag? “A gun.”
000025: Susan Morrison , Fashion editor for _The New Yorker
_Dermabelle Elisabeth of Hungary Moisturizer
Chanel Cocoa Lipstick
Trish McEvoy No. 40 Lip Color
Mustela Sunblock SPF 16
Mason Pearson Brush
Never in her handbag? “A mirror,”
000030: A.M. Homes , Writer
Artificial Tears
Mason Pearson brush
Vitamin E Sunblock Lip Balm
Never in her handbag? “Mice.”
000031: Kitty D’Alessio , Fashion, retail, fragrance, and cosmetics consultant
Trish McEvoy “1” Compact Dual Powder
Round pink nail buffer
Black bobby pins
Round tortoise mirror
Mackenzies smelling salts
Purell Mini Sanitizer
Crabtree and Evelyn Citrus Lotion
Rembrandt Dazzling Breath Drops
Frédéric Fekkai Tortoise Brush
Estée Lauder Gemini Lucidity Compact
Trish McEvoy “2” Eye Pencil
Maybelline Gray Expert Eyes Pencil
Mini Toothrush
Butler Gum Toothpaste
Trish McEvoy Romantic Pink Lipstick
Trish McEvoy “ 17” Lip Pencil
Never in her handbag? “Personal financial papers.”
000046: Mary Ellen Mark , Photographer
White Tic-Tacs
Alexandre de Paris Brush
DeLuxe comb
Never in her handbag? N/A
Photos by Elizabeth Brockway.
