He is certainly one of the ten most iconic bags of the fashion world: the Jackie from Gucci, a small accessory with a strong identity, has been popular for over 60 years. And it looks set to celebrate many more decades! From its phases of assumed discretion to its successful revival, we tell you everything about the Gucci handbag and his adventures.
The Jackie story
Contrary to what one might think, the story of Jackie by Gucci doesn't quite start with Kennedy. THE handbag was born in 1961 under the name “Constance”: that year, John Fitzgerald Kennedy became President of the United States, with his elegant but discreet wife at his side.
It was only a few years later, when she was already a widow, that Jackie Kennedy falls on the little one sac in a Gucci store. Legend has it that she bought no less than 6 models of this sac : we can clearly speak of love at first sight!
At this time, Jackie gave free rein to her passion for fashion : less constrained by her former obligations as First Lady, she innovates and shows daring in the choice of her outfits. Great lover of luxury pieces, she throws trends and becomes a true role model for women. This is how the famous sac half-moon grew in popularity: she wore it very frequently, inspiring thousands of others to do the same around the world. There Gucci House decides very quickly to rename bag to honor the one through whom he achieved success. It will now be called the Jackie !
In the 70s, the accessory continued to gain ground and became a favorite model among sports enthusiasts. luxury bags. Perfectly anchored in its time, characterized by a wind of freedom in all spheres of society, Jackie is worn by both women and men.
This loyalty to his fetish bag, Jackie Kennedy – now Onassis – will keep it until her death. The former first lady of the United States, like Audrey Hepburn or Grace Kelly, is part of the very closed court of women who contributed to shape fashion, both during their lifetime and afterwards.
A successful revival
After these beautiful years of glory, the sac Jackie falls somewhat into oblivion following the death of the American icon. Difficult for this accessory with fine and refined features to find its place in the 90s. During this slightly more flashy decade, we focused much less on the practical than on the “wow” effect: sac Baguette At Saddle without forgetting the City by Balenciaga, fashion evolves and transforms the windows!
But sometimes you have to know how to be patient and let yourself be forgotten in order to come back better and Gucci understands that well! THE Jackie experienced a first return at the beginning of the 2000s under the era of Tom Ford at the head of the Italian House. The rebellious designer replaces his buckle with a more futuristic clasp, like the Y2K trends. Then it’s Frida Giannini’s turn to present her personal vision of handbag, which she also calls the New Jackie. On this model, the original clasp finds its place and the structure is a little more flexible. These revisited versions only confirm and reinforce the iconic status of the Gucci handbag, photographed on the arms of the biggest stars over the years.
When Alessandro Michele, then creative director of the leather goods at Gucci, restarts the third time Jackie, the whole world is already fully committed to the cause and the charm of the most famous hobo bag of the world ! THE Jackie 1961 – in homage to its beginnings – reappears on the catwalks in 2020 , during the fall-winter men's show.
To fade away and come back as if he had never left: that is the characteristic of large luxury bags, and Jackie is definitely one of them!
The metamorphosis of an iconic bag
The last comeback du sac Jackie is in more than one respect the one which has had, and still has, the greatest success. The reason ? He is the perfect example of a successful metamorphosis, between heritage and modernity, sobriety and audacity.
The Jackie 1961 by Gucci has indeed adapted wonderfully to his new times! Available in 3 sizes, including one mini format, it is also available with a wide removable shoulder strap, which adds to its versatile side. From a rather serious bag, it has become more fun: it now dares to pastel colors and more casual materials, like raffia. The candy pink or baby blue versions? We want them all!
A sign of its success, the Jackie version 2.0 is displayed in the dressing rooms of K-pop stars, who have the power to make and break trends. Like 50 years ago, the world is tearing itself apart small handbag with natural elegance.
Paradoxically, the pieces launched by Gucci in 2020 are certainly those whose style is closest to the Jackie original. The simple clasp and the half-moon with the well-designed frame are an easy reminder of why this bag has become a legend. And this is also certainly what keeps him in the “hall of fame” of the luxury leather goods : at the time when the quiet luxury takes over the extravagant pieces, the Jackie just AGAIN!
There is no point in fighting: you will also end up giving in to temptation Gucci ! To add a Jackie vintage to your collection or to treat yourself to a recent model at a low price, go to the Vintega online store. Our second hand handbags are just one click away from your dressing room...
