From The Straits Times    |
GUCCI Jackie bag in Singapore THUMBNAIL

GUCCI Jackie bag in Singapore - Jackie OThere’s something about an iconic handbag. Not only is it sure to be coveted, beautifully made and a sign of taste, but it also comes with an intriguing history.

Gucci’s Jackie bag has all this plus the added cachet of being named after one of the world’s most famously fashionable women, America’s First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Jackie O herself (pictured right with one of her namesake bags).

To celebrate not only the original Jackie bag, Gucci is also opening up your fashionable world view by introducing the New Jackie bag – updated by Frida Giannini herself and first spotted on the Spring Summer 2009 runway.

Incorporating the “original design and exquisite Florentine craftsmanship, the New Jackie offers an innovative yet timeless approach to Gucci’s rigorous codes of luxury” and offers women of style something that’s a little softer and more casual to use as a day bag.

Like the original bag, the New Jackie still has the signature details and the rounded edges, but is more “deconstructed” and comes in larger sizes and has the addition of Gucci’s iconic bamboo details and tassels.

According to Gucci, a New Jackie bag takes a minimum of seven hours, and up to 13 hours depending on the type of leather, to create. Now that’s craftsmanship.

The Jackie bag celebration will be kicked off with an exclusive cocktail party at the Gucci Marina Bay Sands boutique on May 9 with the launch of the very special, Jackie Special Display.

GUCCI Jackie bag in Singapore - original Jackie bag 2
GUCCI Jackie bag in Singapore - original Jackie bag 1
Two examples of the original Gucci Jackie bags. There will be a variety of archival bags on display in Singapore as part of the Jackie bag celebrations from May 3-13 at Gucci Marina Bay Sands

Visitors to the store will be able to study the history of the Jackie bag from its beginnings in the 1960s, photographs of Jackie O with her preferred bag, and see actual vintage pieces from the Gucci Archive. There will also be a video on the expert craftsmanship that goes into each bag.

The lucky invitees will actually be able to buy a variety of Jackie bags designed by Frida Giannini in the seasons leading up to the launch of the New Jackie – these are absolutely one-off, exclusive pieces.

Check out the gallery below to see some of the Gucci Jackie bags from the Cruise 2012 collection.

The exclusive Jackie Special Display will run from May 3-13 at Gucci Marina Bay Sands. From 1pm-4pm on May 9, you will be able to watch the talented Gucci artisans work on personalising your Gucci purchases with their hand-embossed monogramming.