When shopping for designer handbags, many of us tend to gravitate toward the same cohort of luxury designers. From Louis Vuitton and Chanel to Dior and Prada, most shoppers have a handful of go-to brands, ones that are top of mind, which makes it easy to forget that the luxury handbag market is as expansive as it is. The vast number of offerings each season makes it easy to overlook other really nice (and well-made) bags from brands we don’t often cover, and one brand recently introduced a new carryall that warrants a second look.
We’re talking about the Etro Vela Bag.
Etro Explained
Etro’s roots date back to 1960s Milan when Gimmo Etro founded the House, which began as a textile company in 1968. Given its heritage, it’s unsurprising that Etro gained notoriety almost overnight for its elegant prints and quality products. Introduced in 1981, its paisley pattern quickly became synonymous with the brand. Over time, it has been reimagined and revived in many ways, from new color variations to intricate patterns. Appearing throughout on RTW and accessories, which were added to the brand’s offerings in the late 80s. Paisley remains integral to the Etro DNA, as does the brand’s distinct logo: a winged horse Pegaso motif.
While leather goods were never a big category for the House, in 2018, as the company looked to overcome its stagnancy with modernization, Gimmo Etro’s son Jacopo, hired an in-house designer to handle leather goods in an attempt to be on par with its competitors. Still, its leather goods never really were put on the map, but with a new creative director at the brand’s helm, anything is possible.
Etro Now
Up until 2021, when they sold a majority stake, the Etro family was at the helm of the brand, carrying on its storied legacy. Despite giving up some of its control, Etro is still very much a family company today, and that atmosphere is felt at the company’s HQ in Milan. However, last year Marco De Vincenzo joined the House as its new creative director, and since he has put his own spin on paisley and more, exploring the company’s rich history and vast textile archive that lives at its Milan headquarters.
Introducing the Vela Bag
For Spring 2023, Etro introduces the eye-catching new Vela bag, Marco De Vincenzo’s first bag for the House. Unlike Etro’s previous print-forward handbags, the Vela is a true foray into the world of leather goods. Different from anything the brand has done in past seasons, the Vela bag is free of prints or the studs and embellishments that have defined the brand’s accessories over the years. Described as an aerodynamic shape, the bag’s silhouette draws inspiration from the nautical world, mimicking how a sailboat cuts through the wind. The Vela’s unique shape feels fresh and modern, unveiling a whole new chapter for the House of Etro.
Constructed of leather cut into panels, the bag’s body is semi-structured, but the softness of the leather remains. Lined in suede and finished with molded gold fastenings and metal feet, the Vela is defined by its distinct, clean lines and a two-sided medallion detail showcasing the double ETRO and Pegaso logo. The Vela is currently available in two sizes and an array of neutral hues as well as blue, red, and yellow in medium ($2,490) and large ($3,290) sizes. Discover the Vela bag via Etro.
images via ETRO
