In the year and a half since Matthew Williams took the reigns over from Clare Waight Keller at Givenchy, the designer has found his footing, transforming the brand all the while. Williams has done a remarkable job at staying true to his personal aesthetics but not losing sight of Givenchy’s iconic history and codes. He has certainly reinvented the wheel for the French design house, yet when you look at his collections as a whole, there are remnants of the past in many forms. Whether it be iconic shapes like the Antigona, or the brand’s recognizable double G logo, nods to the past are present throughout.
“I really wanted to create a synthesis of powerful, sophisticated femininity, with an interplay of multiple American and Parisian influences, sports, and craftsmanship. Next to her stands a contemporary man with an instinct for chic nonchalance. On the runway, both are grounded by a sense of reality.” — Matthew M. Williams
The New Givenchy
When Williams began his tenure at Givenchy, he immediately set forth a new direction for the brand, introducing new bags and updating existing silhouettes so that they felt fresh and all his own. His vision began with the introduction of new hardware, and that hardware has remained an integral part of Williams’ vision. This season, the focus on hardware instead of logos continues, and leather bags, both new and old, showed this continued push towards the ornamental.
There’s a new shoulder bag that bears the brand’s logo lock, which models were seen toting in two sizes and various pastel colors (that purple!). Other bags from the collection pay homage to Givenchy’s history as a haute couture atelier, featuring pearls, jewels, and other embellishments. The collection is meant to feel elevated yet wearable, adding luxury to otherwise everyday, utilitarian pieces.
View bags from the collection below. Images via Vogue Runway.
Look 1 and 2
Does the lock serve a purpose or is it just an ornament?
It appears that it’s there to scratch the smooth leather, maybe.
I really like it all! And Givenchy’s quality is way better than most in higher tiers.
Every Givenchy bag I’ve tried on in-store has been SO ridiculously heavy, I’m assuming because of the oversized locks?
Interesting design choices here. It feels somewhat disjointed as a whole
Maybe it’s because I came of age in the late 90’s and early 00’s, but I love a fun lock detail! I also love the riffs on the hobo shape. I was a fan of many CWK designs and will continue to be a Givenchy fan.
More locks?? Isn’t this a worn out designer gimmick by now?
I don’t mind the backpack with the silver zipper but the rest looks like been-there, done-that?
everything I’ve seen from Matthew’s Givenchy looks like a cheap derivative from Alexander McQueen
Uninspiring.
I really like look 6 but do we need the clunky lock – I bet it makes the bag heavy and tacky?