Givenchy makes a convincing case for the return to office life with a pair of new commuter-friendly bags, designed by Matthew M. Williams.
In typical Williams fashion, the Venture backpack and belt bag are futuristic and sleek, outfitted in Givenchy's new lock-inspired hardware (which debuted last year to much fanfare).
Aesthetics aside, they're also functional — the two bags can be worn separately or in tandem, depending on how much you need to tote around.
The backpack is pleasingly streamlined, not at all bulky like some alternatives on the market. In fact, it's less like a backpack and more like a small briefcase with arm straps — its chiclet-shaped compartment can hold essentials like an iPad and a book (sadly, it won't fit a laptop).
The belt bag is equally compact, and can be converted into a crossbody depending on your mood. Thanks to webbing straps at the side, it can even accommodate Givenchy's ultra-luxe, flask-like water bottle.
Expected to release on Givenchy's website and stores in mid-September, the new accessories speak to Williams's ability to marry flashiness and function, in the same way he did with his "gardening shoes." They also signal the return of the bag as we emerge from our homes into a pandemic-conscious world.
In quarantine, the accessory fell by the wayside — there was no need for backpacks, totes, and shoppers in the age of grocery delivery and strict social distancing. But now, as we venture back onto the subway and into the office, we need places to put our face masks and hand sanitizer.
Whether you dread your morning commute or welcome it (hey, any semblance of pre-COVID normalcy is comforting), Givenchy just made it a lot chicer.
