Lily Muni He and the Pigeon Purse Heard ’Round the Paddock

Lily Muni He knows how to make a statement – and at the 2025 Miami Grand Prix, that statement came in the form of a bird. Not metaphorically. Literally. She strutted through the paddock carrying a pigeon, which turned out to be JW Anderson’s now-iconic Pigeon Clutch Bag – and the internet hasn’t stopped talking about it since.

An intro to “Pete the Pigeon” via Lily’s IG

Your eyes aren’t fooling you – Lily’s had the cult-classic bag since the summer of 2024 when it débuted on her Instagram account from a summer holiday in Switzerland. But this wasn’t a casual vacation stroll, this was a paddock walk and there were a lot more eyes on this “isn’t your average everyday” designer handbag. This bag is wearable performance art.

The JW Anderson Pigeon Purse: A Closer Look at the Feathered Phenomenon

Created by the British fashion house JW Anderson, the Pigeon Clutch debuted as part of the brand’s ongoing exploration of surrealism and tongue-in-cheek commentary on fashion’s function. It’s not inspired by a pigeon… it is a pigeon.

Want more pigeon details? We thought you’d never ask!

It’s a bird! It’s a bag! It’s… confusing strangers everywhere. Designed to be a clutch, but often mistaken for wildlife. You will get double-takes.
Crafted by JW Anderson, king of fashion’s oddball accessories. If anyone was going to make a resin pigeon chic, it was him.
100% resin, 100% ridiculous, 100% runway-ready. Forget leather — this bag is as hard as your fashion stance, and with a height of just under 8 inches, this bag is also 100% the size of a real bird.
3D printed in glorious grey, down to the beady little eyes and tiny talons. It looks like it flew in from a New York sidewalk… and landed on a Vogue shoot, or, you know, a Miami Grand Prix paddock.
Side opening, because even pigeons need a practical entry point. Tuck in your lip gloss and credit card. Bread crumbs optional.
No straps, no nonsense — just grab it and go. Who needs a handle when you’re holding high art?

Pigeons, Carrie Bradshaw, and the Power of WAG Style

Fashion history has a soft spot for birds, particularly in the Sex and the City universe. Remember when Carrie Bradshaw wore a feathery bird purse to her friend’s baby shower? Or carried the very same JW Anderson bag as Lily on a later season of And Just Like That? Critics were confused, the internet was divided – and yet, it became a defining accessory moment. Now, over two decades later, Lily is doing the same for the paddock.

… and just like that, pigeon purses are a thing (And Just Like That, HBO)

WAG fashion has evolved far beyond bodycon dresses and designer sunglasses. Women like Lily He are proving that Formula 1 style is playful, avant-garde, and fiercely influential. The pigeon purse is not just a bag – it’s a conversation starter, a meme, and a moment of unexpected levity in a world of $30,000 Birkin bags and perfectly coiffed hair.

Why Did Lily Pick a Pigeon?

It’s hard to ignore the symbolism here. Pigeons are often underestimated. They’re everywhere, they survive anything, and they always find their way home. Much like WAGs, pigeons move through luxury and chaos alike with stealth, confidence, and an unapologetic flair for drama.

Choosing JW Anderson is no coincidence either. Known for challenging the ordinary and celebrating the absurd, the brand is a favorite among fashion insiders and celebrities who know that true style isn’t about subtlety – it’s about personality. Lily’s purse tells us she’s not afraid to take risks, and more importantly, she’s in on the joke.

Want to Style a Statement Bag Like Lily?

The key? Let the bag do the talking. Pair a bold clutch like JW Anderson’s Pigeon with something sleek — think neutral tones, tailored silhouettes, or a minimalist outfit that lets your accessory lead the way.

We can’t all be Formula 1 royalty, but we can all carry a pigeon. And honestly? That might be even cooler. Oh – and if you’re looking for the look of Lily’s pigeon purse for less? We got you. JW Pei (definitely not a coincidence) has a *very* similar Pigeon bag for a fraction of the price.

🛍️ Shop the Look: How to Get Lily’s Pigeon Purse Vibe

You might not be ready to cradle a resin bird in public (mad respect if you are), but here are some bold, whimsical statement bags to channel the same energy: