Established in 2020, new handbag brand Savette caught our eye with its debut collection thanks to its sophisticated, but minimalistic silhouettes and refined, clean lines. And while at first glance the bags appear simple, they really are anything but, emphasizing a timelessness that feels classic and modern at the same time. We wanted to learn more, and after doing a deep dive into the brand’s offerings and speaking with Savette’s founder, we knew the brand deserved a proper introduction.
Savette’s founder Amy Zurek boasts an impressive resume, having spent time at The Row and Coach, Zurek is also the mastermind behind Khaite’s debut handbag collection, which made waves throughout the industry. With such a spectacular background it seems only natural that the designer would start her own line, and while her experience is undeniably influential, Savette was born out of a need that Zurek identified from the mindset of the consumer, telling us, “As a consumer, I was looking for a bag that was minimal and sophisticated, but not anonymous and plain. It needed to have a distinctly recognizable, covetable element that wasn’t a garish logo.”


Zurek succeeded in doing just that, introducing a debut collection of 3 shapes that were thoughtfully designed with both fashion and function in mind. Hardware is evocative of sculptures seen in modern art, yet it is as functional as it is beautiful. And speaking of beautiful, each bag is handmade from Italian leather by third generation artisans outside of the Italian city of Florence, which also happens to be a hub for some of the country’s best art and culture. Bags are designed to be sophisticated, yet wearable and intuitively functional. Collection 1 is just that, a study of the structured crossbody bag and its unique identity as an integral foundation piece in any handbag lover’s closet, known to be both practical and refined.
And while the project launched while the world was shut down, Zurek’s vision was years in the making, beginning nearly two years ago. When the pandemic hit, the designer decided to pause Savette’s launch, as introducing a line of products meant to be used outside of the home felt counterintuitive given the restrictions. Yet as time went on Zurek noticed a lust for newness as consumers were looking for products to be excited about even though they couldn’t wear them just yet. Zurek further expressed how the pandemic influenced Savette’s launch stating “they [consumers] were also reconsidering how to assert their buying power, moving towards investment pieces that they would love forever, and even second-hand luxury bags, rather than trendier seasonal styles. I felt that Savette could fit well into this new order and decided to take the chance.”


As mentioned, Collection 1 launched with 3 styles, all bearing the same clean lines and minimalist design elements. The Tondo 22 is the most wearable of the bunch, standing out as the ideal everyday bag with a sophisticated edge. Its interior is substantial enough to carry your day to day needs and is designed with a three-way convertible strap. Collection 1 also features two other pieces as part of the Symmetry Family, which are less rounded and organic in shape and instead are more angular and geometric.
Discover the collection and shop exclusively via via Savette.com or Net-a-Porter.



I like the simple lines and shape. What I struggle with is new brands marketing their bags as designer and charging designer prices. In order for me to purchase, an expensive bag, it needs to prove longevity.
So true, even I am The Row lover, but it took me 5 years to finally paid them full price for a bag I really wanted.
I really like these bags. They are different, designed well and look great quality. For a new brand demanding these prices I expect really high quality, and the stock photo on the NAP website shows really wonky stitching on the back and uneven glazing. And secondly they are exclusively sold online which doesn’t make sense for a high end retailer, where is the customer experience? How can it be assessed in person? Just order and return? What happens if the bag develops an accidental scratch? That’s what floor models are for…hopefully with time if they expand they can be stocked in high end department stores but until that happens I’m out!
I like the simple lines and shape. What I struggle with is new brands marketing their bags as designer and charging designer prices. In order for me to purchase, an expensive bag, it needs to prove longevity.
I totally agree. Slapping top-tier prices on a product will not make it a lifestyle brand. These should be priced around $700.
I believe that after a certain price point you’re paying for brand recognition, lifestyle, and status. These bags look beautiful but they have to EARN that price tag through lifestyle marketing. A few hundred more I can get exceptional quality from a prestige brand and get significantly more bang for the buck.
I really like the bags featured in these photos but I can already guess that most people would rather spend that kind of money on bags that are most likely to retain value. These will be virtually worthless on the second-hand market.
I really like these bags. They are different, designed well and look great quality. For a new brand demanding these prices I expect really high quality, and the stock photo on the NAP website shows really wonky stitching on the back and uneven glazing. And secondly they are exclusively sold online which doesn’t make sense for a high end retailer, where is the customer experience? How can it be assessed in person? Just order and return? What happens if the bag develops an accidental scratch? That’s what floor models are for…hopefully with time if they expand they can be stocked in high end department stores but until that happens I’m out!
These are all great points, and I’d love to get your opinion on something. I’m a startup luxury handbag maker. I hand make and saddle stitch each bag myself, which means they take a lot of time, they’re top quality and often one of a kind. But since I’m new to the market, I have no brand name recognition. So I’d love to know where you would expect my price point to be. And how would you most like to be introduced to my bags (e.g. trunk shows at local boutiques or resorts, carried in stores, house parties, etc?)
I really look forward to your thoughts. Thanks so much!
– Laura
http://www.VivAndEdie.com
A lot of the luxury goods industry is all about status associated with a brand. So unless your brand is established, it’s a very difficult game to play, as you can see in the comments.
Since you’re starting out, you really need compelling products which have a design language that’s unique, captivating and speaks to the viewer in a way that no other product does. There has to be the right balance of familiar with wow-factor. That’s where the skills of the designer comes in, as not everyone understands the complexity of aesthetics and even fewer can materialize it.
Then you have to have extremely good quality to back up the high price point. It’s not enough to just say hand made and that it takes a long time because any novice artisan can take a long time hand making a poor quality product, which you even see in some Hermes’ products, but they can get away with it because of the brand. If you look up someone like Sima Prague, you can really see what exceptional quality looks like – his designs however are quite generic.
Good luck!
What great feedback, Louis! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment.
I’m not worried about my quality. I’m learning from the best and am very attentive to detail. So I feel confident there. And my designs are fairly classic shapes but in much more vibrant and fun color ways and patterns than I usually see with traditional handmade bags. So, hopefully I’ll find my audience.
I would love to know how you discovered Sima Prague, for instance. Their work is very classic and beautiful, but they’re not a name I’d heard of. Where would you ideally expect to be introduced to a brand like this?
Thanks again!
Laura
I like these bags, but the prices really surprised me. I’ll pass.
The New York Times published an article about Savette in their “T List” on March 18: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/18/t-magazine/doug-meyer-savette.html?searchResultPosition=2
The commenters below make excellent points, especially about resale value, wanting to see and handle a new brand’s bag in person first, and whether you can claim to be a premium brand with premium prices before the market identifies you as one.
Personally, I find the Symmetry more appealing than the Tondo, but that’s just my opinion. Does PB know if there’s at least a showroom in Florence where potential buyers could check out the bags in person? (post Covid of course!)
I’ve reached out to the brand and will keep you posted! It’s also worth noting that though the bags are made in Florence it is headquartered in New York!
TBH I would overlook them at a department store, looks a bit $178 and 75% off…
Wow I actually really love these bags! I truly believe they’re worth that price tag as well due to the excellent craftsmanship. Same with most Bottega bags, ppl don’t get why they’re priced the way they are, but trust me once you own one you get it. There’s nothing like a beautifully Italian made purse.