After the astronomical success of the Gucci Horsebit 1955, there have been other revivals for the brand as well. We’ve seen the Gucci Jackie comeback and the next bag that Alessandro Michele is choosing to revive is the Gucci Diana Bag. I’m ready for the Gucci Diana fan club to form, because this bag has so many elements that meet my perfect bag checklist and many of you have already shared how much you love it as well.
Everything about the Gucci Diana embodies classic House design, from storied elements like the bamboo handles to the shape and to the name of the bag itself. The Gucci Diana came onto the scene in 1991 and quickly became Princess Diana’s favorite bag, which is precisely how the bag got its name. In fact, she was spotted carrying it both dressed up for more formal events to casual snaps of her leaving the gym in an outfit that can only be described as a look that everyone is trying to achieve today. The Gucci Diana was one of Lady Di’s personal favorite bags and there is a color being released that is close in color to the bag she was always spotted toting (timeless cuir is the most similar color to what Diana carried).
The re-imagined version by Alessandro Michele sports a few new key elements including the removable, neon leather belts that hug the bamboo handles. These actually serve a purpose as they are a nod to the functional bands that once came with the original bag that helped maintain the shape of the handles and ensure the handles kept their shape when exposed to humidity. This element is entirely simplistic in theory, but serves a major design nod to the functional straps once included with this contemporary design.
That small element, the neon bands, change the appearance of the Gucci Diana entirely. The tote is quite functional (especially in the larger size pictured). As we spend more time getting out and offices are opening up, this is a bag that serves both fashion and function. The interior of the larger size features a zip separator pocket in the center which breaks the bag into two areas. The front has a large open area with a zip pocket while the back has an equally as large area with an open pocket. To keep the bag contents from being seen, there is a magnetic flap top that closes the bag nicely (though wouldn’t fully prevent every item from coming out, there is a small gap area on either far end). There is also a removable and adjustable shoulder strap which makes this bag easy to carry as well. Though the bag is leather, it’s actually quite light overall, which is a big plus as well.
While many are transported back to the early 90s with this iconic shape, the timeless appeal is evident. Gucci is offering the Diana in three sizes: mini, small, and medium. There is also a variety of colors from classic hues like black, white, and a timeless cuir to more formidable offerings like emerald green, bold red, poudre light blue and light rose. The colored belts are meant to oppose the main leather color, offering a striking dichotomy, and include fluorescent yellow, pink, and orange.
This is a nice bag (saw it at the gucci boutique on yesterday). It’s simple and functional. They just look odd with the little belts, and, personally, I would prefer that the belts and bag match.
With all of that being said, I don’t get the $4,000 price tag. It just appears to be more of a $2000-$2500 bag.
The belts are a mehh feature for me, I can take them or leave them. I am a little disappointed that the medium size, which is large enough to be a workhorse bag and even hold a laptop, has such lightweight shoulder straps. If this bag were fully loaded, the straps would not really be comfortable. I am baffled by the trend of putting wide thick shoulder straps on small bags and narrow, thin straps on larger bags.
I purchased a medium one yesterday and it come with 2 straps, a thin leather strap and a wide Gucci signature strap. I will use the bamboo handles when I’m using it as an evening bag, the skinnier strap if I’m in a business setting, and the wider signature strap if I’m out and about. The wide strap is adjustable so I lengthen mine to give it a sporty look. Overall I love the bag and think it is well worth the price.
I love this bag, but i cant justify the price tag, for a Gucci revival… of $3,980 for a revival… I ran to eBay, and purchased 3 lol, I really love this bag, I got a brown leather version for 120. a black suede with leather trimming for 198. and an all black leather for 98dls. YES they need some elbow grease, in cleaning them, and making them look nice and jazzy, BUT i mean from the prices i cant go wrong AND its the original vintage bags, so I prefer that, sometimes i feel that the vintage are better than the revivals. i mean if they were made in 91, and they still look great I’m sure they are gonna be till the end of time. and I think now that Gucci has released them, I’m sure the prices on the pre love market will also go higher. Beautiful Handbag. classic lines, stunning and timeless. Love it.
I wish I had the patience to clean up a vintage bag. But I like this and looks nice for work. It is definitely more functional than my Fendi Tote lol. But I love my Fendi tote regardless of the lack of pockets, my bf calls it an expensive black box.
its alot of work. but for the prices they are going for, I don’t mind, and yea the vintage ones dont have the GG or the shoulder strap and thats ok with me, the bag is still timeless and even my bf said “that bag is nice, i wanna go to gucci with one and see if the notice its a vintage one.
It’s also hard when there are a lot of conflicting opinions about the best cleaning/repairing methods… also that labor and money doesn’t always work.
Please do share pics with us!
yes for sure! let me finish cleaning them up and I will share pictures.
This bag would’ve been fantastic without the GG on the top IMO. Then it would’ve really been a true revival!
I was thinking that throughout viewing all of the photos!
I don’t mind the GG because it is small!
I love this bag. The neon handles just add a fresh touch to an otherwise very sophisticated bag. I am really loving the mini size. Ugh, I want it!
I agree — the bag has a lot of appeal, but the price is excessive. There is a soft gold one for sale on ebay right now, similar to that beige one Diana is carrying, for just over $200. That’s 1/20th the price of the new one! Its condition looks good. I would snap that up and save the rest or take a nice little holiday in Italy or Paris where I could swan around with it 🙂
It’s really a lovely bag—though I wish the lining felt more luxurious. From what I can tell in the pictures, it’s Gucci’s typical fabric lining?
I agree, the lining looks cheap for the money.
Yep. At 4K + taxes, microfiber is not particularly impressive. ?????
Ostrich and Python have leather linings!
That’s always so much more luxurious. ?
The website describes the interior as: “Microfiber lining with a suede-like finish”. Hope this helps.
It helps TREMENDOUSLY. ?
Love love ? these freshly done Diana collection but am waiting for Aria Collection which has a GUCCI emboss. Don’t know when it’s available but my SA told me that it will be available among with other show collection pieces.
Anyway, this is super modern classic design with spacious room for your need and timeless elegant piece. Definitely must have piece. ? ?
But why does it have a belt…
Exactly! It’s meant to maintain the structure of the bamboo handles, but vintage Diana bags didn’t have this and the handles look great.
The originals did come with a plastic zip tie looking thing. Humidity ruins bamboo. Ive seen some warped handles. And they crack. Even the “newer” bamboo shopping tote came with them.
The vintage bags had bands that came with the bag and were intended to help maintain the shape of the bamboo and protect it from humidity. These leather belts are removable but serve a design element and modern touch from Alessandro Michele!
Megs – are the handles created/treated differently so this is no longer an issue?
Modern methods and bamboo treatment no longer cause the issues that the straps were intending to prevent. They are merely a design throwback by AM!
Thank you!!!
What a chic bag! I’m glad the belts are removable although I understand the function. The medium ostrich and small python are amazing. The only quibble is the shape of the handle attachments. The large pentagon shape doesn’t seem to suit the elegance of the bag, but I know it’s necessary to support the weight of a tote.
I think we all need to have a word with Alessandro Michele….
😐
OK – received mine yesterday and it’s gorgeous, BUT…. terrible chemical odor… anyone else?? How do I get rid of this?
Do the handles flop on the Medium? Or are they stiff?