My Designers' Closet: GUCCI

In the early 1900s, a young, Italian saddle maker named Guccio Gucci tried his luck in the handbag industry. As a result of his exceptional leather skills, Gucci handbags quickly gained a reputation for unprecedented quality and taste. Gucci himself even had a hand in designing many of the products such as the bamboo handle handbag, a staple item that has endured through the company’s history. Throughout the century, the Gucci brand became a symbol of excellence, attracting prestigious clients from around the world including Audrey Hepburn, Grace Kelly and Jackie Onassis. Gucci’s popularity only grew: the demand for the products led to the designer-label culture of the mid to late 70s, making it the biggest-selling Italian fashion brand and the most referenced name in popular music.

Gucci specializes in a large variety of handbags that have the distinction of coming from the most-recognized designer label in history. From designs almost 100 years-old to modern styles, Gucci offers a wide selection of handbags including totes, clutches, hobo and messenger bags.

Tote bags have two handles and resemble a shopping bag. Totes have a square appearance and the wide opening allows easy access as well as the capacity to hold all the day’s essentials. The Signoria medium tote is made of white leather with guccissimo white leather trimming, with light gold hardware. Simple yet elegant, the Signoria suffices as a standard day bag while drawing some wanted attention. A large size, made of rust-colored leather and trim, is also available in that model, making it one of the most practical Gucci handbags.

On those fancy occasions where a tote bag will be too obtrusive, and the evening calls for something more petite and delicate, clutches are the way to go. Hobo bags are practical most of the time but you don’t want to be lugging around that burden while on you’re on an intimate date or during a fancy night out on the town. One of the most diverse clutches that Gucci offers is the Starlight clutch. Made of dark gold leather and light gold hardware, the Starlight is showy without being tacky, adding futuristic glitz that would highlight any drab occasion. Many of these Gucci clutches come with an interlocking G ornaments that are as serviceable as they are fashionable.

Messanger bags are designed to fit across the body to ensure comfort and versatility to people carrying around heavy or bulky items. While originally intended for bicycle use, they have become extremely popular in urban settings, allowing shoppers and students alike partake in the convenience that messenger bags offer. The Jolicoeur is the flagship messenger-style of the Gucci handbags. Made from sand/ebony GG fabric with dark gold leather trim, the Jolicoeur is designed with rosewood-colored webbing, a Gucci signature.

Hobo styles usually have a crescent-shaped bag and large holding capacity to fit all the day’s necessities. The long strap allows the owner to wear the bag comfortably over the shoulder making it the standard handbag for every instance, either casual or formal. The Duchessa is made from beige/ebony crystal GG fabric with brown leather trim and light gold hardware, making it a symbol of casual elegance – just one example of the many fine Gucci handbags.