Alessandro Michele was promoted from head accessories designer to creative director at Gucci just before the Fall 2015 collection was set to debut. Many eagerly awaited the debut of Gucci’s new direction, and Michele did not disappoint; his debut was full of 70s glamor and relaxed luxury.
We were intrigued to see what the former accessories designer would do with when it came to the handbags, and Michele chose to introduce one new runway bag and offer a variety of options. The Gucci Dionysus bag is the brand’s biggest bag of Fall 2015, and we took some photos of our favorite versions of this new design to give you a closer look.
With his deep understanding of the archives, Alessandro Michele created the Dionysus to combine a peek at the past with a new touch. The bag features GG Supreme Canvas with the standout tiger head spur closure. The bag is finished with a sliding chain strap that can be worn multiple ways, easily transitioning between shoulder bag and top handle.
Above, you see the Blooms print, which was a common theme in the collection. This version of the bag is my favorite; it provides a feminine touch that breaks up the GG Supreme Canvas, which flows into the antique rose suede detail that peeks out. The Blooms print starts on the top right hand corner of the bag and carries over to the entire back. The rose suede detail is a stunning hue, and the bag feels sexy and playful all at once.
While printed canvas isn’t typically my go-to, I’ve found the finished product to be beyond beautiful. Gucci knows how to combine its monogram and change it up to make it modern and lust-worthy. Each bag has either suede or python trim on the flap closure and sides of the bag.
One of the reasons I’ve been such an avid Gucci fan over the years is both the outside and inside of the bags are beautiful and well-thought out, and that continues with the Dionysus. The interior of the bag has a zip center compartment, which gives it three areas: one zip and two open, all lined in GG canvas and suede.
Another standout of the bunch is the Gucci Dionysus bee-embroidered bag, for which Gucci artisans used brass thread wrapped in silk, hand-embroidered the bee on to a panel of silk and then applied it to the front of the bag. The combination stands out and grabs your eye immediately, offering a very playful and nature-filled touch to the bag.
The Dionysus comes in two sizes. The larger size is 12″W x 8″H x 4″D, while the smaller has dimensions of 11″W x 7″H x 3.5″D. I like both of the sizes because neither fells too big or too small when it comes to carrying a bag for daily use; which one you choose depends on your personal needs and preferences.
The major difference between the two sizes is the large shows more of the tri-fold gusset on the side of the bag, while the small bag looks like the interior is just one compartment, though there are three areas in the small bag as well. The larger size also offers a slim slide pocket on the back of the bag, which I always adore.
The antiqued silver hardware compliments the earthy vibe of the bag really nicely, and I love the spur closure. Another nice touch that Gucci offers is complimentary personalization: Dionysus bags can be accented with your initials on the interior leather trim to create a special heirloom, free of charge.
Gucci may be under new leadership and moving in a new direction, but I like where it’s going. Gucci Dionysus proves Michel’s understanding of the brand and its customers, melding a touch of the past with a present day sense of allure and beauty. The bags are all available via Gucci.com and range in price from $2,100 to $3,400.
