GIVENCHY Sac Soha Moyen (Tote Bag)

When we think of Givenchy, we think of the elegant and graceful Audrey Hepburn and Jackie Kennedy. The brand name “Givenchy” has long been revered in fashion circles for its pure, elegant, and lady-like style. But for a time after founder Hubert de Givenchy’s departure (ten years, to be exact), as three designers came and went, the label lost focus and customers. Fortunately, now in the hands of Riccardo Tisci, a young Italian designer who has successfully created a hybrid signature of elegance and hip (“I am writing the new code of Givenchy without destroying its history”), the label has been thriving in its second golden age. Givenchy collections are getting plenty of editorial attention, its Paris shows are pulling in all the hard-core fashionistas, and late last year the label was even named the “second-hottest” designer brand in a survey by Japanese trade paper Senken Shimbun*. Indeed, in his five years at Givenchy, Tisci has moved from cult status to obsession status, and young women and men who may have not been attracted to Givenchy are now showing a real interest in the designer’s dark and luxurious work. And so the torch passes, from old faithfuls like Lauren Bacall and Elizabeth Taylor to such equally sophisticated contemporaries as Kate Moss, Cate Blanchett, and Queen Rania of Jordan.

The focus on studs is uniquely emblematic of Riccardo Tisci’s vision for Givenchy. Studs have appeared in his ready to wear, haute couture, even menswear, and of course handbag collections. Featuring signature star and spike studs, the gorgeous Givenchy Soha Moyen shoulder tote will hold all that you need in classically glam-rock style. You can consider this to be an investment piece, due to the luxe cowhide, painstaking handwork, and of course, the high-end yet durable metal hardware.
(RRP €1,235 ~ £1,022)


In one of his last photos, the King of Pop was wearing Givenchy. As you can see, the gold studs are signature. (RIP MJ.)


Givenchy sandals -- between the studded and non-studded, we kinda like the former, in a Cleopatra sort of way :-)


Count Hubert James Marcel Taffin de Givenchy and his muses.


*According to a late 2009 Senken Shinbun survey, designers who topped the list of Japanese retail buyers' favorites are (in descending order): Alexander Wang, Givenchy, Balmain, Undercover (Japanese street brand), Prada, Dries Van Noten, 3.1 Phillip Lim, Comme des Garçons, and Yves Saint Laurent.