Now that Jean Paul Gaultier has announced the house is shutting down all operations except for haute couture, perfume, and some collaborations, this bag will soon be a collector’s item. That’s too bad – not just because it marks the end of an epic 38-year run in ready-to-wear, but because this bag shows the designer still has some steam left in him. It’s double too bad for his sense of joie de vivre and unconventional whimsy, which will be missed.
But let’s not take all that into consideration here. As a bag, whimsically creative designer aside, it’s great. While it may not be the most exciting thing you’ve ever seen, it’s sleek, it’s strong, and it’s something you would get a lot of wear out of. As a flap-front shoulder style in plain, smooth black leather, it’s obviously all about the metal touches. The use of heavy gold hardware along the gusset infuses delight into an otherwise – let’s face it – boring bag, and that’s one thing we know Jean Paul Gaultier is not. Jean Paul Gaultier bag on Forzieri for $2,217.
Pair with: A sculpted Chelsea boot with a pumped-up stacked heel and in a shade of deep bordeaux that makes for an exciting alternative to black, courtesy of Rag & Bone, will be an instant seasonal staple. At Bergdorf Goodman for $595.
