The Gucci logo t-shirt, the sell-out hit based on an old knockoff piece that in turn inspired a fresh round of knockoffs, has a new counterpart for spring/summer '18: the monogrammed bag.
Specifically, the famous tan and brown leather logo-covered purse from the Eighties that, yes, inspired a wave of replicas. The one you see in thrift stores and in the back of your mother's closet.
Alessandro Michele updated the throwback in a range of sizes (the tiny little cross body purse, the fanny pack, the shoulder bag, the list goes on) for his spring/summer '18 show, staged against a backdrop of ancient ruins and before a front row that included A$AP Rocky, Hari Nef, Dakota Johnson and Dapper Dan.
Read Next
And the bag's relative simplicity made them stand out among his more-is-more and richer-is-richer aesthetic.
In a lineup of a whopping 108 impressive, densely layered looks including bejewelled recreations of Elton John costumes, flamboyant Bob Mackie references, and techy Sega video game-style logos, the monogrammed bags looked fresh simply because they were spared all the rock star embellishments Michele has become so famous for.
There were none of the brass bumblebees, embroidered florals or silver snakes we expect to see on his accessories —just practical leather purses in a classic, versatile print. Not that the change was limited to the monogrammed options. As a whole, his bags looked less like collectible, wearable pieces of art and more like luxury additions to your daily rotation. See his single-colour leather top handle bags and croc embossed satchels.
With the exception of a few Guccified staples like his plaid trench coats, blazers and skirts, Michele's elaborate clothes aren't necessarily the stuff of day-to-day wear.
But the bags in this collection were, with a very real work day to weekend appeal. And with good reason; the brand's simple quilted leather GG Marmont bag is right up there with the horsebit loafer on the list of its most ubiquitous top sellers, with an equally appealing entry level price point to match.
So we're calling it: the monogrammed bag is Gucci's next big thing.
Kenya Hunt is the Editor-in-Chief of ELLE UK. Her career spans working for some of the world's most influential women’s titles on both sides of the Atlantic from her post-graduate days as an Assistant Editor at the seminal magazine, Jane, to her time as Deputy Editor of Grazia UK and ELLE UK. As the founder of R.O.O.M. Mentoring, she advocates for greater diversity within the fashion industry by providing a supportive network for some of the many talented aspiring designers, journalists and image makers of colour London has to offer. In 2021, she was recognised by The British Fashion Council for her work and given a Global Leader Of Change Award at its annual Fashion Awards. An American based in London, she lives south of the river with her husband and two sons. Her critically-acclaimed book, Girl: Essays on Black Womanhood (HarperCollins/HQ), is out now.
