A handbag may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you hear the name Cartier, but the maison known for its jewellery and timepieces has been making bags on and off for over a century. Its Marcello handbags from the aughts are a hot favourite on pre-owned luxury retail sites, while vintage Must de Cartier satchels are equally sought after for their quality and ability to look just as good even decades later.
The newest addition to the maison’s bag line-up is the Clash de Cartier tote. Clean, minimal, and with no conspicuous logos, it’s punctuated by two gold-finish stud fastenings that wink to the Clash de Cartier jewellery collection. With the clasps closed, it’s a structured, polished tote, but turn the studs to open the sides and it takes on a slouchier, more relaxed shape. As Marlin Yuson, creative director of accessories and leather goods at Cartier, explains, the design takes its cues from the clean lines of an envelope. “It can be left open for a loose, casual fit, or fastened with a turn of the stud for a more tailored, structured look,” he says.
