Cartier launches a new bag collection – the Guirlande de Cartier – inspired by its iconic jewellery boxes.
If you dive into the archives of Cartier, you will find that the French Maison is more than a watch and jewellery powerhouse.
Over the years, Cartier has also demonstrated their design prowess in the handbag category: from the jewellery bags of the 1910s, to the Must de Cartier collections in the late 1960s, Must-C bags, C de Cartier, and most recently, the Cactus de Cartier and Panthère de Cartier clutch bags.
It is no surprise that Cartier is ready to write a new chapter on leather goods, with its latest jewel of a bag.
It made its online debut at Paris fashion week last October, setting off a chain reaction as 12 key influencers posted the bag on their Instagram accounts in succession.
Clockwise from top left: @susiebubble, @margoandme, @erinoffduty, @natalieoffduty, @karenwazenb, @songofstyle
It isn’t just a bag. It is the Guirlande de Cartier, an octagonal tote inspired by the iconic Cartier red box, complete with the golden frieze (garland) framing the sides. Modelled after 18th century motifs, the guirlande – or frieze – first appeared on Cartier’s jewellery boxes in 1910, but only assumed its current form in the 1960s. It is this stylised version that is stamped on the bag.
The eight-faceted shape is a powerful one: symbolic of renewal, completeness and regeneration across different cultures. It also comes to mind when we think of Place Vendôme, with its distinctive buildings and pedimented screens canted across the corners of the space.
The Guirlande de Cartier is offered in three sizes and four colours (red, black, green and camel), in calfskin. A special patent crocodile miniature edition completes the series. Each bears the distinctive golden garland motif, and hot stamped “Cartier” signature (inside the bag). Like the jewellery case, the inside of the bag is black. The functional gusset size allows for two internal compartments. A signature pocket holds a removable mirror. An adjustable and detachable bag allows for versatility of wear.
[hercules-gallery ids=”21393,21392,21391,21390,21386,21385″ rowheight=”150″ lastrow=”justify” visibleitems=”0″ thumbwidth=”220″ thumbheight=”200″ margins=”5″ captions=”true” pinit=”true” randomize=”false” opengallerylink=”true” opengallerytext=”” backtostory=”Back to story”]The bag style was first made available at the three historic temples of the Maison – 13 Rue de la Paix in Paris, New Bond Street in London, and 5th Avenue in New York – while the rest of the world anticipated its release.
Now the Cartier Singapore ION Orchard flagship joins the selected list of boutiques to launch the Guirlande de Cartier handbag collection on 11 January 2019.
Other Cartier stores are set to retail the collection in March 2019.
Images courtesy of Cartier. Additional feature images by author. All rights reserved.
Related links:
The Cartier Design Philosophy
Cartier Singapore Reopens Largest Flagship Boutique in Southeast Asia
