Lancel, women's handbags full of character.
Specialising in luxury leather goods, French house Lancel is synonymous with elegance and whimsical innovation. Even if the brand proposes a wide range of travel bags and accessories, it owes its reputation to its high-end handbags, that have been adorning the arms of women of character every day for over a century.
Bucket bags, at the origin of the current collections.
The history of the fashion house began in 1876, when Alphonse and Angèle Lancel decided to sell accessories for smokers. In a context where women were becoming emancipated, taking after the men in smoking cigarettes that they wanted to carry around in something attractive, the brand gradually turned its attention to leather goods. In 1927, it made its mark with the model of a handbag for women that would become legendary: the bucket bag. Taken over in 1970 by the Zorbibe brothers, then subcontractors of the label, Lancel gained wider appeal and started to advocate attainable luxury. By introducing new synthetic materials like nylon, it became more affordable and gained in popularity, especially amongst young people. In 1987, the bucket bag was rethought, then re-issued under the name of Elsa. Made out of leather and canvas it became a best-seller for the brand, which is one of the reasons behind its revival in 2006, this time under the name of Premier Flirt (First Crush).
1997 was a year that marked a turning point in Lancel's history. Acquired by the Richemont group, the brand decided to position itself definitively in the luxury sector. Since then, it has only used the finest quality components: high-end leathers, exceptional fabrics and other meticulously chosen materials. It is also associated with the world of celebrities, and designed bags paying homage to Isabelle Adjani and Brigitte Bardot, for example. While retaining its innovative edge, Lancel is still attached to its origins. Under Nicole Stulman, who became creative director in 2014, the brand is revisiting and modernising the models behind its success, like the famous Charlie handbag, inspired by a 1960's travel bag.
Beautiful, but much more besides...
With almost a hundred years' experience in crafting accessories, Lancel marries luxury with progress and aesthetics with function. These pairs that cannot be dissociated in the eyes of the designer, can be found in each one of its designs. Bags to carry by their handles or wear on the shoulder, totes, saddle bags, satchels, across-the-body bags, Boston bags and baguettes, the choice is immense and every woman can find one she likes. If leather goods are an art for Lancel, the label also sees itself as bold and fanciful - an attitude that shines through in the colours and materials used. Crocodile in red-hot tones, python in an azurite turquoise colour and calfskin leather patchwork, Lancel's creativity knows no bounds. Its ambition being to maintain its place on the arm of women throughout their lives, the House of Lancel proposes timeless handbags that are nonetheless imbibed with an era, a moment in time, a personality. The following are a few of the brand's iconic pieces: