In the last few years or so there have been some serious changes in the handbag world with beloved creative directors from major fashion houses resigning only to eventually move on to another powerhouse brand. There are many to name, but some prime examples are Riccardo Tisci (from Givenchy to Burberry), Clare Waight Keller (from Chloé to Givenchy), Daniel Lee (from designer at Celine to Bottega Veneta) and Hedi Slimane (from Saint Laurent to Celine). It’s important to note that each designer moved into a creative director role where the brand image completely differed from that of their previous role. Additionally, each had a significant impact at the roles in which they came from, making their moves all the more shocking. Arguably the most surprising of all was when beloved designer Phoebe Philo resigned from Celine and was replaced by Hedi Slimane. Slimane’s first designs for the brand were wildly different from what Celine devotees were used to, and many fans recoiled rather than rejoiced.
While Slimane is still finding his footing at Celine, cherished designer Clare Waight Keller is getting into a groove at Givenchy. Waight Keller was responsible for Chloé hits such as the Drew, and the Faye. Both of which are still huge sellers for the brand, despite her departure from the creative director role. When it was announced that Waight Keller would be taking over the reigns at Givenchy I personally was very excited to see her new bag designs. While I’ve always considered myself a bit of a Chloé girl, I particularly enjoyed Waight Keller’s designs for the brand and I was intrigued how her bohemian vibe at Chloé would translate into Givenchy’s more edgy aesthetic.
Waight Keller’s first design for the brand, the Givenchy GV3 Bag debuted in May 2018, and like many of you I wasn’t sold. However just 6 month later Givenchy dropped its newest bag under the direction of Clare Waight Keller, the Mystic Bag, and I was intrigued. To me, the bag was interesting, new and it stayed true to both Givenchy’s and Waight Keller’s aesthetic. Following the Mystic bag, for fall 2019 Givenchy introduced another new bag. Called the Eden bag, it sky rocketed to the top of my wishlist, further cementing my appreciation for Waight Keller’s work at Givenchy. In the seasons to come I am most excited to see Waight Keller’s vision develop at Givenchy. Which brand are you most interested in watching transform?
Definitely not Givenchy. Definitely not Burberry.
Brands I find most inspiring right now are Marni, Bottega Veneta, and Hermès.
I have to agree, Bottega is doing something fresh, which is exciting. Hermes and Chanel are timeless but yet still keep my interest, and as for the rest, Im slightly bored.
Prada (nylon) bags!!!!!!
To be honest, none of them are. I’ve been looking more at older bags. I figure as long the bag fits my style, I won’t look dated.
Chloe and Botega Veneta, I would love for prada to hire a new designor and reinvent itself
Moynat and Fontana Milano 1915. A few bags from Bulgari. One bag from Fendi. Most disliked: the new Botteta Veneta. The Pouch is one of the ugliest bags I’ve seen in a long, long, long time.
Bottega Veneta of course, not Botteta.
I never thought I would, but Louis Vuitton has been my favorite lately. Loewe has always been in my top 3 favorite and it is always fresh and exciting. Gucci was interesting for a while but I hate the Gucci supreme logo, which is a big push from them lately. Was the biggest fan of Givenchy during Tisci’s time. Waight Keller, not so much.
IMHO Saint Laurent is THE ONLY design house that is hitting it out of the ballpark at the moment with its unique, functional and beautiful bags. I recently bought the chevron Loulou in charcoal grey and I’m now enticed to get the Puffer loulou in black!! Even the other bags are so soo gorgeous with a good price point.