Humor me for a minute: what first comes to mind when you think of the most iconic moment(s) in fashion cinema? There are plenty of examples to regale, but none are more poignant than the first scene in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. As a yellow cab peels off the corner of Madison Avenue at daybreak, Audrey Hepburn [playing Holly Golightly] meanders over the store windows with a cup of coffee in hand, a complete set of pearls, and an elegant black gown from Givenchy. What’s made that particular film pertinent for fashionphiles over sixty-five years later isn’t the fabulous setting so much as it marked the ascension of Givenchy. Although we may now associate the French fashion house’s legacy with specific films or fashion icons, that’s a small part of the picture.
What has made this luxury brand continually relevant over the years isn’t solely its haute couture; it is the handbags, too. Givenchy’s purses have long been some of the most coveted accessories by the fashion crowd, cementing their cultural impact. The brand’s bags often rival the popularity of their historical pop-cultural moments (if not superseding them). But you don’t have to just take my word for it, as I’ve rummaged through the archives to share why the brand makes arguably the best designer handbags to buy. Ahead, you’ll find a breakdown of the six best Givenchy bags based on popularity, quality, functionality, and timelessness. Plus, a little bit of fashion history. You might not be the leading star of a film, but you better believe these finds are forever.
About Givenchy
Before we delve into the brand’s bags, we have to have a brief history lesson. While Givenchy’s legacy is now associated with luxury fashion’s highest echelons, the house came from relatively humble beginnings. It was founded as a small atelier in the French countryside in 1952 by Hubert de Givenchy. Although only twenty-four at the time, Givenchy was steadfast in his conviction to set out on his own after working as the artistic director at Schiaparelli. However, the brand didn’t gain global recognition until it was spotted on some of Givenchy’s style muses throughout the ’60s, such as Audrey Hepburn, Jackie Kennedy, and Princess Grace of Monaco. It was in that era that the brand’s cultural importance was cemented. However, its continued impact can be attributed to how creative directors have been able to carry on this legacy in contemporary times.
We’ve seen Givenchy led by some of the most exciting creatives in fashion history in the last half-century—including John Galliano, Alexander McQueen, Riccardo Tisci, and the most recent creative director, Matthew M. Williams. Although each designer has differed in their approach to ready-to-wear, the unifying aspect of all their reigns has been their commitment to craftsmanship, especially in regard to their leather goods. No matter who has been at the helm, Givenchy has always had some of the hottest handbags throughout its history; it’s a trend that will continue even after Williams’s departure from the helm in early 2024.
Ultimately, the allure of their bags (besides their quality) boils down to the fact that the house’s iconography has been continuously reimagined—each style strikes the perfect balance between being classic and contemporary. Basically, Givenchy bags tap into the nostalgia of turning on an old Hollywood film without being held up in the past (hence their continued appeal). Whilst most of the styles from the brand do have an enduring elegance, there are a few that have an even stronger hold on the style set. So, without further ado, let’s talk about the most popular Givenchy bags…
1. Voyou Bag
One could argue that no other handbag reflects how much this house has evolved from its early days as a haute couture atelier than the Voyou Bag. Designed by the former creative director Matthew M. Williams, the style debuted on the S/S 23 runway as a contemporary take on the classic hobo bag thanks to cool moto-inspired metal buckles. Its amorphous slouchy shape characterizes it, as it can be styled on the shoulders, across the body, or carried by hand. The bag also comes in three sizes (mini, medium, and large) and various materials such as denim, leather, suede, python, and raffia—ensuring that there’s a version of this bag that works for your everyday life.
Shop the Givenchy Voyou Bag:
Givenchy
Medium Voyou Shoulder Bag in Corset Style Leather
In love with the lace-up detail on this bag.
Givenchy
Mini Voyou Bag in Leather
Givenchy
Voyou Medium Suede Bag
Yes, it’s spacious enough for all your essentials.
2. Antigona Bag
While there’s no shortage of new releases from this fashion house, it would be a disservice if we didn’t mention one of its hottest items of all time: the Antigona bag. Ever since its debut on the F/W 10 runway, the structured handbag has been synonymous with the house for various reasons. The first being that it was impossible to flip through the glossy pages of a magazine throughout the noughties without seeing this bag being carried by one of the it-girlies (e.g., Rihanna, Kate Moss, and Beyoncé). Beyond its popularity with the celeb set, because the original style by Riccardo Tisci was an easily recognizable take on the Boston bag with sharper edges, it became an instant classic. Its popularity and pragmatism may have put the bag on the map. But it’s remained an iconic piece because of how it’s been continuously reinterpreted throughout the years—it comes in various sizes, colors, and textiles. Plus, the shape has been slightly altered over the years to celebrate its anniversary (reference: the east-to-west version), further cementing its collectible status.
Shop the Givenchy Antigona Bag:
Givenchy
Mini Antigona Stretch Bag in Box Leather
The two-tone hardware will make this bag easier to match with all your jewelry.
Givenchy
Small Antigona Bag in Box Leather
Red is the hottest color of year.
Givenchy
Mini Antigona Lock Bag in Box Leather
It comes with a detachable crossbody strap, btw.
3. G-Hobo Bag
It’s not just the more iconic Givenchy bags that are worth collecting, by the way. All of the brand’s bags always manage to give off “high fashion” without sacrificing functionality. A prime example is the Givenchy G-Hobo bag, which debuted on the F/W 22 runway. Designed by Williams, the bag takes the simplicity of the hobo bag and gives it an edgier spin by adopting a sharp, v-cut shape adorned with the brand’s signature G-engraved padlock hardware. The bag also feels more contemporary than its counterparts because it comes in two hardware colors, two sizes (mini and medium), and various colors and textiles. It’s a style destined to become a cult classic in your closet, no matter which version you buy.
Shop the Givenchy G-Hobo Bag:
Givenchy
G-Hobo Medium Shoulder Bag
A moment of silence for the lock hardware on this shoulder bag.
GIVENCHY
Mini Textured-Leather Shoulder Bag
You can wear this for years to come.
In case you like a pop of color!
4. 4G Bag
What’s another classic handbag shape that Givenchy has given a contemporary spin? The rectangular fold-over flap bag. Sure, every luxury house has its take on this silhouette, but the details make Givenchy’s version cooler. Released in Williams’s F/W 21 collection, this bag is distinct because of the logo-adorned hardware; not only is the clasp covered in the brand’s emblem, but even the chain strap creates the illusion of “G” shaped cubes. The attention to detail doesn’t stop there, though, because this style comes in various luxurious materials (e.g., embroidered canvas, quilted leather, and even embellished satin), available in colors ranging from neutral to metallic. On top of that, Givenchy’s 4G Bag is also available in three sizes (micro, small, and medium), all of which can be styled as a clutch, crossbody, or shoulder bag, depending upon your mood. Ultimately, it’s all of these small details that will make it one of the most dependable styles in your closet.
Shop the Givenchy 4G Bag:
Givenchy
4g Soft Wallet on Chain in Quilted Leather
Nothing is more classic than a quilted shoulder bag.
Givenchy
4g Soft Small Crossbody in Quilted Leather
The “G” cube chain strap on this bag is too good.
Givenchy
Micro 4g Soft Quilted Metallic Leather Crossbody Bag
The interior is roomy enough to fit your cellphone, credit cards, and a lipgloss.
5. Kenny Bag
While many of Givenchy’s purses generally err on the side of pragmatism, a few deviate from that norm—chief among them is the Kenny Bag. Released in Williams’s S/S 22 collection, the bag embodies the “day-to-night” ethos through its compact pochette shape, which comes in a mini and small size. Although the bag’s shape taps into the typical tiny bag trend associated with contemporary eveningwear, it still has special touches that are signature to the French houses’ lexicon. For example, the bag is available in sumptuous materials such as satin, leather, and even feathers, each adorned with the brand’s easily recognizable hardware. The overall result is a bag style that is small in size but has an outsized presence.
Shop the Givenchy Kenny Bag:
Givenchy
Kenny Mini Silk Shoulder Bag
The way this bag is begging for a night out.
Givenchy
Mini Kenny Neo Bag in Tumbled Leather
It also can be styled across the body, if you add the detachable crossbody strap.
Givenchy
Mini Kenny Bag in Satin With Strass
Barbie-core, but make it better.
6. Cut Out Bag
If you take away nothing else from this article, let it be this: Givenchy bags are a worthwhile investment. That’s no more apparent than with the release of the Givenchy Cut Out Shoulder Bag in the brand’s S/S 21 collection. Designed by Williams during his tenure, it turns the timeless shoulder bag on its head through a sharp adaptation of the silhouette (i.e., it has a deep v-shaped cut out and labelless hardware). It’s the ideal investment for minimalists who love a well-made bag because it’s low-key enough for everyday life yet doesn’t lose those more “luxurious” features we expect out of a bag—e.g., it boasts a spacious interior, has adaptable straps, and comes in various sizes (including small and large). The bag serves as a reminder that while there may be a great deal of noise in the luxury market, Givenchy has managed to carve out a space in the cultural cannon (and closets of millions) because they create handbags that lend themselves to being collectibles in their own right.
Shop Givenchy Cut Out Bag:
Givenchy
Small Cut Out Chain Strap Leather Shoulder Bag
NGL, I’m drooling over the butter-yellow hue of this Givenchy bag.
Givenchy
Small Cut Out Bag in Box Leather With Chain
Everything about this bag is on point (pun intended).
Givenchy
Small Cutout Shoulder Bag in Denim With Chain
It’s giving early aughts energy.
