He is always by her side. He's got everything she needs. She strokes him lovingly and breathes in his scent. And yet she'll eventually trade him for a new one: the lady and her handbag.

In this book, Mylo Freeman introduces fifty inspiring women from all over the world. From big names such as Queen Elizabeth II, Jane Birkin and Paris Hilton, to lesser known women such as South African fashion designer Palesa Mokubung, Hello Kitty designer Yuko Yamaguchi and journalist-explorer Nellie Bly. For each of them, their handbag carries a different meaning: accessory, practical aid, feminist manifesto. However different the women and their bags, each of them are unique and a force to be reckoned with.

From featuring in Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs to show-stealing appearances on Sex and the City ("It's not a bag, it's a baguette!") - the humble handbag has well and truly earned its place as a fashion must-have. Marrying fashion and functionality, it has been used to make a statement, to house love letters, and even carry a dog or two!

In On Ladies and Handbags, award-winning author and illustrator Mylo Freeman explores this everyday accessory through the fascinating stories of 50 iconic ladies throughout history and their relationships with their bags. Accompanied by beautiful illustrations, it features a diverse range of women from fashion designers like Vivienne Westwood and Palesa Mokubung, to activists like Josephine Baker and Laverne Cox, musical icons like Rihanna and Grace Jones, and pioneers like journalist-explorer Nellie Bly and Anna May Wong, Hollywood's first Chinese American star.

An essential read for lovers of fashion, history, and women's stories.