Givenchy bags are always the most coveted in the fashion industry, particularly those designed by former creative director Riccardo Tisci. Tisci might not be at the helm of Givenchy any more, but his bag designs live through his legacy and are surely part of the wardrobes (and wish lists) of many designer bag collectors.
Since Givenchy’s new (and first female!) creative director is Clare Waight Keller, whose bags at Chloé were equally iconic, we expect her to come up with a hit bag after hit bag even at Givenchy, whether it is new designs or iterations of Tisci’s creations.
Before jumping to the best Givenchy bags of all time to add to your collection of designer bags, let’s dive into Givenchy’s bag lines a little bit.
Iconic Givenchy Bags: Contents
Most Iconic Givenchy Bags – History
Ever since Tisci joined Givenchy more than 10 years ago, the fashion house began focusing on mainly 10 models, always filtering them through a great variety of contemporary lenses (which according to Givenchy-Tisci’s vocabulary meant a lot of exotic skins and fun sizes). But why is the history of Givenchy bags so linked to one single fashion designer, namely Italian Riccardo Tisci?
When analyzing any Givenchy womenswear’s product, we have to keep one thing in mind – Givenchy’s womenswear section has always been empowering, revolutionary, and of course, glamorous, but mainly focused on clothes rather than on accessories. When thinking about Givenchy’s most iconic past designs, one instantly thinks about fashionable staples such as the shirtdress, often worn by Audrey Hepburn.
It was with John Galliano, appointed as Givenchy womenswear’s creative director in 1995, and then with Alexander McQueen (who was unhappy at the label), and lastly Julien Macdonald, that the womenswear section started getting revamped with more iconic accessory it-items everyone dreamt of in the late Nineties.
We then had to wait up until Tisci’s appointment, which occurred in 2005, for a little wind of change on the label’s runways, as the Italian designer has never kept his love for shoes and bags a secret. That is when, nominally, Givenchy’s uncontested designer bag era began.
As for the designs and models, Tisci played with textures as much as Givenchy’s legacy, played with fabrics, and focused the philosophy of all of his accessories on the minimalist lines and aesthetics.
One of Riccardo Tisci’s major merits was founding Givenchy’s signature (contemporary) style, which perfectly fit all his accessory lines, making Givenchy bags recognizable, covetable and, ultimately, timeless.
For these reasons, Givenchy handbags are relatively few for now, but offer variety both in terms of colors and textures. Also, although similar, all the sizes of the bags showcase different personalities, meaning that a small Antigona handbag exudes different vibes than a medium one of the same style. So be careful when trying to figure out which Givenchy bag suits your personality!
11 Best Givenchy Bags of All Time
Once you know the history of Givenchy bags, it’s time to make a choice among the following 11 iconic pieces you’ll never regret investing in.
1. Givenchy Horizon Bag
As soon as Givenchy’s Horizon bag debuted in the fall 2016 collection, everyone instantly knew a new fashion star was born. Clean-cut, minimalist, yet somehow warm, Givenchy’s Horizon bag is any geometric lines lover’s dream, as Riccardo Tisci expressly aimed at treating us to something modern yet elegant, sophisticated yet not too luxurious while designing this particular Givenchy bag.
We definitely recommend going for either the nano version, especially if you love attending cocktail parties, or the medium one, which will come in handy if you need a bag to carry around from day to night. You can get yours from Nordstrom, Farfetch or Neiman Marcus.
2. Givenchy Pandora Bag
Pandora’s jar was roomy enough to contain all the evils of the world and, although it wasn’t that big, it still was surely tempting enough for holding. Well, Givenchy’s Pandora bag is the Pandora jar’s perfect incarnation in fashion, as it mixes versatility, comfort, practicality, and urban-chic vibes altogether.
One of the best Givenchy bags, it comes in various sizes, meaning that one could also get her personal bigger version of the Pandora jar (hopefully not to contain any evil). This style was officially launched in the acclaimed Givenchy fall/ winter 2009 collection.
As for today, Pandora’s mini version in silver metallic leather is definitely the hottest item around. This iconic Givenchy bag can now be picked up from Farfetch or MatchesFashion.
3. Givenchy Antigona Bag
Launched in Givenchy’s fall/ winter 2010 RTW collection, the Antigona bag is probably the fashion house’s most renowned piece. Minimalist, structured, and utterly elegant, Antigona immediately won the hearts of many icons, such as Queen Beyonce, Chrissy Teigen, and Naomi Watts, as soon as it became available for purchase.
It was named after Antigone, Oedipus’ daughter, and perfectly encapsulates Givenchy’s former creative director’s fascination and love for the feminine/ masculine contrast. Although the small version is the most acclaimed, the mini and pouch versions are equally praised.
Needless to say, it is one of the most iconic Givenchy bags around and any bag collector’s must-have item. It’s available through Net-a-Porter and Moda Operandi.
4. Givenchy Sway Bag
Officially introduced in Givenchy’s spring 2018 ad campaign, the Sway bag is relatively new, but has already won many hearts. Its design is “busier”, compared to other Givenchy bags, but it’s effortlessly contemporary and glamorous anyways. Givenchy’s Sway bag in black is already a hot staple, but we recommend checking the light brown one for a hippier touch. You can get it from Nordstrom or My Theresa.
5. Givenchy Nightingale Bag
Meant to follow the utility trend that was all the rage throughout the 2005-2006 two-year period, Givenchy’s Nightingale satchel bag instantly became an it-accessory, which many are currently looking for at any vintage market or online boutique. Named after Florence Nightingale, an English social reformer, statistician, and founder of modern nursing, Givenchy’s Nightingale comes in various colors and finishes (even exotic skins!), and can easily go from day to night, as well as from winter to spring, becoming the one-piece statement item anyone needs to complete her outfit.
Givenchy’s Nightingale bag comes in 3 sizes, but everyone seems to love the micro one more. Get it from Barneys or Farfetch!
6. Givenchy Infinity Bag
Givenchy’s Infinity line consists of four Givenchy bags – a hobo in two sizes, a bucket bag, a saddle bag, and a compact flap shoulder bag. All of them are minimalist and only feature one statement detail – a silvery chain that recalls the label’s fascination with the smallest, almost imperceptible sophisticated detailing. It was launched at Givenchy’s fall 2017 RTW fashion show along with the Duetto bag. This bag’s different versions, colors and sizes sell through Nordstrom, Net-a-Porter, Farfetch, and Neiman Marcus.
7. Givenchy Duetto Bag
Named due to its flawless combination of duality-inspired themes, Givenchy’s Duetto bag is gaining more fame year after year. It effortlessly combines different textures as well as colors, and its structure is perfectly balanced in all its elements. It may slightly remind you of the Antigona bag, as it borrowed its bigger sister’s triangular flap, but will easily make a statement on its own anyways.
For an extra touch of glamour, we recommend investing in the newest tricolored Duetto pouches! You can pick up yours from Nordstrom, Net-a-Porter or Farfetch.
8. Givenchy Obsedia Tote Bag
Part of Givenchy’s spring/ summer 2014 collection, the Obsedia bag comes in two sizes, with both of them being nothing but versatile and utilitarian. There’s also a shoulder version of this Givenchy bag, and both the tote and the shoulder bag make any woman who is always on the go giggle, as they are perfect for the long days at the office as well as for a girls’ night out.
9. Givenchy Shark Bag
Givenchy’s Shark bag first debuted as part of the label’s 2015 cruise collection, soon becoming a must-have. Now, thanks to Givenchy’s new creative director Clare Waight Keller’s softer visions on fashion, which helped her revisit many Givenchy bags designed by Tisci, the Shark bag is back on track again and is quickly going sold out at any online retailer.
And just looking at it, it is not that hard to understand why so many people have been religiously loving Givenchy’s Shark bag ever since its launch. Structured, roomy, and slightly rock-chic, it easily suits any personality. This one is available at Farfetch now.
10. Givenchy Lucrezia Bag
Introduced in 2013, Givenchy’s Lucrezia bag is every celebrity’s favorite on-the-go bag. Versatile and both structured and soft, is the kind of designer bag that instantly reminds us of the early 2010s when everyone was obsessed with wearing rectangular handbags rigorously in the crook of the elbow. Givenchy’s Lucrezia bag comes in a great variety of sizes, including the mini one, which is a bag lover wardrobe’s must-have.
11. Givenchy Nano Leather Backpack
Last but not least, we couldn’t avoid mentioning Tisci’s acclaimed new versions of the Nano leather backpack, which was everywhere to be seen on Instagram within the past few years. It is still a hot item, especially when refined with Tisci’s exotic patterns, and we cannot wait to see what Waight Keller has in store for us for the new seasons ahead (we bet she will have a lot of fun revisiting this design). This lovely piece can be picked up from My Theresa or Harrods.
Photos via Givenchy
