The Jackie is back! How a Sixties fashion favourite made iconic by Jackie Onassis is already this year’s hottest ‘It bag’
Think of Jacqueline Onassis, and a certain uniform will spring to mind.
There’s the famous bug-eyed sunglasses, the beige trench coat tied sharply at the waist, perhaps a silk headscarf.
Finally, there’s the bag; a sleek, trapezoidal shoulder bag that sits neatly in the crook of her arm.
The bag was by Gucci and became an instant bestseller as soon as it was seen on the arm of the former First Lady in the 1960s.
The Jackie’s back! Left is first lady of fashion Jackie O with the original style; right is new face of the Gucci bag Dakota Johnson
The bag was by Gucci and became an instant bestseller as soon as it was seen on the arm of the former First Lady in the 1960s
In fact, rumour has it, insiders at the Italian fashion house referred to it as The Jackie (despite it’s official name being The Constance) even before it was officially rechristened in 1964.
For many years, the Jackie 1961 was one of the most iconic handbags, seen on the world’s A-listers. But over the past few decades it has fallen out of favour.
In 2020, Gucci’s then creative director Alessandro Michele reimagined the bag once more, debuting it in the men’s collection in poppy colours to appeal to a younger, hipper, more gender-neutral crowd. It came in varying sizes, too, ranging in price from £1,770 to more than £3,000.
Gucci was convinced it would have yet another bestseller on its hands. Then came Covid and, suddenly, luxury goods felt redundant. Who needed a £3,000 handbag to sit around at home?
But now, thanks to a new campaign launched this week for that 2020 version, it is back in a big way, its recent devotees running the gamut from Hollywood royalty (Cate Blanchett and Dakota Johnson) to Gen-Z idols (actress Kaia Gerber).
However, its biggest — and perhaps most influential — fan appears to be none other than singer Harry Styles. His preference is a black, leather Jackie worn cross-body
But now, thanks to a new campaign launched this week for that 2020 version, it is back in a big way. Fans: Actress Sienna Miller (left) and model Alexa Chung
In 2020, Gucci’s then creative director Alessandro Michele reimagined the bag once more. Early adopter: Cate Blanchett in 2020
However, its biggest — and perhaps most influential — fan appears to be none other than singer Harry Styles. His preference is a black, leather Jackie worn cross-body.
I have been a fan of the Jackie ever since former Gucci creative director Tom Ford reimagined it for the millennium.
His version had harder lines than the original and a thick double strap, but I dreamed of owning it in classic black with a silver buckle. Sadly, back in 2003, my salary could stretch only to a knock-off version bought at a market in Turkey.
I wore it to every job interview and party opening during that time in my life. And it almost always fitted the bill.
You see there’s something truly genius about The Jackie. Its crescent shape nestles next to the body perfectly; temper that with the smart, gold piston clasp and you have a bag for all seasons and scenarios.
This time, Gucci has made it for the modern woman and man — interestingly, it was originally conceived as a unisex bag. It also comes in a several sizes, with a cross-body strap for those moments when you need to be hands-free, because life now requires you to hold a coffee in one hand, while typing an email on your phone in the other.
Bags, like fashion trends, come and go. The key is to know which will never date you or itself. Sixty years on, the Jackie is that rare thing: an It bag to go the distance.
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