When Creative Director Maria Grazia Chiuri introduced the Dior Book Tote, it quickly ascended the bag world into star status and promptly became a staple of the Dior aesthetic. The original size was designed to carry all your daily essentials and many used it as their daily carry as well as their travel bag to schlep anything and everything they needed. With the success of the Dior Book Tote, the House added two additional sizes: small and mini.
One thing Dior excels at is focusing on a core group of bags and expanding on each line, offering different styles and sizes which will suit every Dior lover. The Dior Book Tote has always been a bag I’ve had my eyes set on, with new iterations each season luring me in and turning me into more of a Book Tote fan (we have a comprehensive Dior Book Tote guide if you want to learn more). But one pattern that I’ve obsessed over, and saved a multitude of pictures of in a folder on my computer, is the Toile de Jouy print.
Originally introduced last year in select European boutiques in the large size Dior Book Tote in blue, the Toile de Jouy print dates back to 18th-century France. This type of print features cotton or linen printed with designs of landscapes and figures that was first seen from the factory Jouy-en-Josas which was situated near Versailles in France. In 1947, Christian Dior used his own version of this motif to upholster his boutique walls at 30 Avenue Montaigne. Last year Maria Grazia Chiuri reinterpreted the Toile de Jouy with the introduction of a series of wild animals, including monkeys and tigers, set in lush vegetation.
This fully embroidered print comes to life as it graces the entirety of the bag and across the front is the Christian Dior signature. The smaller size can still fit your daily needs, including an iPad or small laptop, but I find this bag a bit too pretty for a work bag. This smaller shape can be dressed up or worn more casually and fits over the shoulder or can be carried by hand. Dimensions are 36.5 x 28 x 17.5 cm.
Each Dior Book tote takes over a day to make, in fact the Large Book Tote takes artisans more than thirty-two hours of work and over one million two hundred thousand stitches. While much of the bag is embroidered by machine, plenty of details are crafted and finalized by hand. Watching a storied luxury House make a bag is one of my favorite ways to truly understand a design and if you want to see this bag come to life, Dior shared the savoir-faire video of this bag being manufactured for the Cruise 2019 collection.
The new Small Dior Toile de Jouy Embroidery Book Tote is available in gray, pink, and blue. There are other items that have the Toile de Jouy print, including these slides which I love and this scarf. Some bags are beautiful in photos but are even better in person, and the Book Tote has always fallen in that category for me. These bags sold out quickly last year, so if you are interested you may want to add one of these beautiful bags to your collection sooner rather than later. Price is $3,000 at Dior.com.
The pink and blue Book Totes will look great for fall! Wait, the pink will look very pretty and soothing in summer too! What an evergreen bag. I love the fact that these look like my favourite childhood storybooks came to life.
Yes, that’s how I feel about this too! It’s a print that feels so nostalgic and alluring all at once
Oh darling, way way way overpriced tote bags
Ughhh I loved this first title around and now I want this small size!!
The small size is really great for this print – and the size falls into the “just right” category!
I have been resisting the pull of this bag…just couldnt justify the cost for something so delicate that if I spilled something on it, I would lose my mind. But now you got me thinking again…hmmmm…It really is a work of art!
I have loved so many iterations of this bag, but this version, well it’s just stunning!
I sprayed mine with scotchguard (3 times). I have had mine for just a year and no issues to dates. They are so beautiful if you are in to the tote.
OK. You sold me…:)
Always love to hear how people treat their bags to keep them good for the long run!
I’m quite simply over this bag and its oversized branding. It’s just desperate looking.
I’d consider it if it didn’t scream CHRISTIAN DIOR. So vulgar.
Fortunately it only says that on one side, so I always wear mine with the blank side out. If that hadn’t been an option it would’ve been a no-go for me too.
Good idea! Yet another reason for me to JUST DO IT! lol
Woof! Gotta agree with Megs. Daring, creative, innovative, unique. Just like me! (Ya know, gotta a bone?)?
All I see is a huge CHRISTIAN DIOR and it takes away from the beauty and fabric of the bag.
I love the bag but not the giant brand name, so I wear mine with the blank side out (as seen in the 3rd and 4th pics)! Problem solved 🙂
I know others who do that as well! I wonder if they’ll ever offer an option without the name on the front. It is why getting the bag personalized is nice because you can carry that side out if you prefer!
I have one that’s personalized and one that isn’t and I actually prefer the one that isn’t and which I can just wear with the blank stripe! Turns out I don’t like any name showing haha, not even my own.
Surprisingly, I saw one of these being carried on the same day after reading this post about it. (Strange for it being in Seattle, on a cold wet grey day). It was indeed very intricate and delicate. It brings spring and summer to mind,
I love this bag and the slides as well! I was planning for my next bag to be a Lady Dior but could this bag change my mind??
We’re featuring some new Dior bags in the next couple weeks, one of those might be it for you too! There’s a lot of beautiful bags and this one is quite special!
Love the toile de jouy so much. Delicate, pretty and soothing. Its nice to see some pretty flourish on items for a change.