There’s perhaps no more controversial brand in fashion right now than Saint Laurent. Since Hedi Slimane took the reigns three seasons ago, the company’s look has gone from conservatively luxurious to all-out rock-n-roll excess, with plenty of detractors and proponents alike. Although I like Saint Laurent shoes, the company’s bags have always felt a little bit off to me, even on their best days, but I can finally say that I’ve found one I love without reservation: this black-on-black version of the Saint Laurent Betty Bag.
The Betty, along with the Classic Duffel, have always been my favorites among Saint Laurent’s accessories offerings, but I had yet to see a version of either that really tickled my fancy. I’m always a total sucker for black hardware, and the black-on-black look of this bag both fits my preferences and Saint Laurent’s luxe-punk aesthetic perfectly. Slimane is talented, despite being something of a personality, and this kind of bag is exactly the direction I had hoped he would go with the line. Here’s hoping that more like this is on its way. Buy for $2,100 via MATCHESFASHION.COM.
Simply gorgeous, I love the black on black look and the restrained design. It looks rich without being obvious. The 4 grommet flap style is always a practical favorite too.
I’m not usually impressed with black handbags, but I could go for this one. It’s edgy, clean, and minimal all at the same time.
Initially I also refused to accept Hedi’s philosophy and denied his achievements. But slowly, I’m realizing his clever designs as I became intrigued by the Sac De Jour. And this one definitely confirms it for me. I feel like Hedi is able to take away the essence of famous designs from other brands and make them into his better own version.
For example, the Sac De Jour obviously resembles Birkin. It seems like Heid studied the functionality of the purse and concluded that it is not necessary to have the belts connected. As a matter of fact, I believe it functions even better when separated which is why often times when you see someone carrying a Birkin, the belts are wide open. What is really the use of having that tiny inconvenient flap and the belt that is never buckled? As a result, the Birkin looks flimsy and unstructured when left loose. I feel that Hedi really picked it up in the Sac De Jour by taking away what worked in the Birkin (the belt) and altered it to perfection by separating the belt.
This one, though not my favorite, seems like he was playing around with Mcqueen’s De-Manta. Rather than having that excess, unnecessary piece of material folding up as pure decoration & nothing more, why not just fake it? It’s form vs. function + somewhat minimalistic. The folding piece is useless anyways. Minimalistic designers eliminate useless decorations & Hedi does so in a subtle way because fashion, nonetheless, needs/is decoration to some degree.
Well played, Hedi. Well played.
P.S. & that’s the beauty of acquiring a new design for me. Brands/designs that I initially find “meh” about, there is much more room for growth in the process of learning to love something new. From first encounter of “meh” to finally dying for one in my arms. After this post, and after contemplating for the past few months, I’m quite convinced I want the Sac De Jour.
Still unimpresseed by Saint Laurent…some of their things are ‘nice’ but they are other brands out there that do it better still…nothing really original comes out of SL anymore (IMO)
Great find, Amanda. Everything about this bag works for me: the perfect proportions, the pebbled leather, the fold-back flaps, and the unusual rhodium chain. If I owned this bag, I would never become bored with it. This is a classic in the making!
I think I love it. Been a long time coming for me also with Saint Laurent.