Loewe's Tomato Clutch is the most absurd bag of the season; here's why

Time of India

11-06-2025

(Image Credits: Loewe website)
Luxury label Loewe has always thrived on a mix of aptitude, irreverence, and pure whimsy. It's a brand that doesn't just follow the zeitgeist, it bends it. Known for pushing boundaries with a wink, Loewe's latest viral moment is a perfect case in point: the Tomato Clutch.
Once dismissed as 'absurd,' it's now basking in the fashion limelight, and yes, owning it.
A part of the Paula's Ibiza 2025 collection, this summer fruit-inspired accessory is less of a bag and more of a cultural reset. With its glossy, plump shape and high-fashion absurdity, it feels like the spiritual cousin of the viral Labubu Doll, tailored for a Gen Z audience fluent in memes, irony, and designer drops.
Like most great internet stories, this one began with a tweet.
Back in June 2024, an X (formerly Twitter) user shared a photo of a shiny red heirloom tomato. Another user replied, 'This tomato is so Loewe I can't explain it.' And just like that, a meme was born. The resemblance between the oddly perfect tomato and Loewe's offbeat design aesthetic was too good to ignore and clearly, Jonathan Anderson agreed.
From meme to reality
Within weeks, Loewe's creative director Jonathan Anderson responded with a short video unveiling the Tomato Clutch.
The caption? 'Loewe meme to reality.' And honestly, no notes.
Made from a moulded metal frame covered in nappa lambskin, the bag captures the exact ribbed texture and curves of a real tomato, blurring the line between surrealism and craftsmanship. There's a golden leafy crown on top, which functions as both a lock and a handle, plus a long chain that transforms it into a chic sling. The whole piece is unapologetically weird and incredibly beautiful.
It's design with a sense of humour, without compromising on luxury.
The Tomato Clutch is more than a novelty item. It's a commentary on the way fashion and internet culture now feed off each other in real time. It shows how brands like Loewe aren't just passively observing social trends - they're jumping in, laughing along, and then translating the punchline into a five-star runway moment.
Anderson's move from meme to market wasn't just fast, it was intentional. In an era where virality is currency and irony is style, he managed to turn a fruit joke into one of the most talked-about accessories of the year.
(Image Credits: Loewe website)
Sure, it's shaped like a tomato. But the Tomato Clutch is also surprisingly wearable, thanks to its compact size and luxe detailing. Whether paired with linen for a breezy vacation look or tucked under your arm at a gallery opening, it gives any outfit a bit of eccentric elegance.
Plus, in a world where most It bags end up looking the same, this one's got actual personality. And that's something fashion has been craving for a while.
The Tomato Clutch feels like a moment - a cheeky, clever reminder that fashion doesn't have to take itself too seriously to be spectacular. It's playful, poetic, and proof that inspiration really can come from anywhere, even a grocery aisle.
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So what's next? A Loewe baguette (yes, the bread)? A kale leaf tote? At this point, the brand has proven it can take anything, anything and turn it into an object of covetable cool.
Got a weird idea that feels so Loewe you can't explain it? Don't be surprised if you see it on the runway next season.
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