The dissection of Met Gala ensembles is still taking over my feed, but I am always more interested in the details. While bags have notoriously taken a back seat on the Met Gala red carpet, this year was slightly different. We saw everything from larger bags to custom minis, and one brand that took this event as a moment to showcase a new capsule collection was Cartier.
Cartier celebrated the Mat Gala by introducing its capsule collection of four jewelry bags, each celebrating elegance and preciousness with a distinctive Cartier touch. The bags nod to archival cigarette cases from the early-to-mid-20th century and a penchant for the Roaring Twenties. Each case plays on everything the brand is known for: exquisite and iconic pieces with great attention to detail.
While we’ve visited the more classic Cartier bag offerings, these are unlike what we’ve seen. These bags are set with fine stones to celebrate the Maison’s creative heritage and pairing.
Andra Day, a Cartier Met Gala table guest, debuted one of these bags, which paid homage to the Maison’s iconic Tutti Frutti style.
Different shapes form the bag, including cylindrical, ball, and cushion, and then fine stones from amethysts, hessonite garnets, and green onyx cabochons. The interior is lined in suede calfskin, and the clasps vary from cabochons of onyx to hessonite garnet and obsidian.
Each design is a work of jeweled art, with different techniques and finishes bringing the final product to life. While each has a practical function, like the optional shoulder strap, the true beauty is in its artistic nature and masterpiece craftsmanship. Each is made in the Maison’s workshop and shows the artisans’ expertise.
Per Cartier, the gem cutter chose the cabochon-cut gemstones from the Maison’s own collections to utilize in the design. Several layers of gold are used to finish the metal hoops and clasps. As for the tufted motifs of black flowers on dark green satin, a high level of technical skill is implemented by cutting the loops of embroidery one by one to create a velvet-like effect. The cactus ball in mesh took more than seven hours to make.
Cartier shows once again that the realm of jewels and bags makes for the most extraordinary, exceptional pieces.
Gorgeous, wonder if they fit an iPhone
Agree. It seems to be a poor design decision to not make it big enough for this 21st century essential. An evening bag really should be able hold more than a lipstick, keys and maybe some kleenex. Even the late Queen Elizabeth always carried a bag big enough to hold a smartphone.
Hahaha been wanting to switch to a flip phone it will solve all mini bag problems
Hahahaha that’s my one rule, bags must fit an iPhone