When I set my eyes on the Gucci Lady Lock Bags yesterday, I immediately thought of our recent discussion on carrying designer bags to the office. Although some of these bags (especially the ones with bamboo handles) are a bit recognizable, the overall look – subtle, refined, totally elegant – strikes me as one that could find itself at home in even a conservative work environment, especially in non-exotic leathers. Think of it as the kindler, gentler alternative to the Gucci Lady Buckle Bags.
After the excess of the Tom Ford era at Gucci, Frida Giannini’s story at the brand has largely been one of restraint. Especially when it comes to accessories, Giannini’s successful simmered Gucci down to its essence, using signatures like bamboo handles and horsebit hardware in ever more modern ways. Many of these bags appeared on the Gucci Fall 2013 runway, and pieces that are featured in a show generally are the ones that the designer sees as the clearest harbinger of a collection’s intentions. If that’s the case, we’re headed into an even more refined time for the brand.