In the past, some people shy away from wearing monograms and opt for mono-toned leather than are seen as more timeless and versatile. But in an effort to rebrand, designers have updated their respective brands’ signature monograms and logos – and in turn, brought a level of modernity to their collections.
Riccardo Tisci, who, after taking the reigns from his predecessor Christopher Bailey, reportedly brought in a four per cent rise in sales following the release of his TB monogram. Salvatore Ferragamo on the other hand made its Gancini monogram a digital affair, by releasing a number of short films featuring power influencers, leading up to the unveiling of the symbol earlier this year.
Once thought as something to shy away from (remember when celebs were wearing head-to-toe logoed prints in the early aughts and how it was passe) logomania is back – or perhaps it never went away? Here are six signature motifs and where you can get your hands on them.
When Burberry’s chief creative officer Riccardo Tisci released the “Thomas Burberry monogram” as an homage to the brand’s founder, we saw the designs of interlocking ‘Ts’ and ‘Bs’ on everything from hoodies to high heels. Tisci was successful in rebranding the label’s iconic “vintage check” and brought in a same-store sales growth of 4%, double what was expected by analysts.
Buy: Jersey pencil skirt, $990, Burberry
The LV monogram has seen many cycles of resurgence, even before Nicolas Ghesquière was appointed as Artistic Director in 2013. Ghesquière has experimented with it on patterned handbags, carved boot heels and even on perforated leather dresses. Across menswear, Kim Jones debuted a collaboration with Supreme for Vuitton’s Autumn/ Winter ’17 collection with the interlocked LV letters.
Buy: NeoNoe MM canvas and leather bucket bag, $2,400, Louis Vuitton
Large or small, the double-G print sits big and bold on everything from sneakers to sporty track bottoms, and comes in various shades from beige and brown. The diamond-patterned double G was first seen on luggage and leather trunks throughout the ’20s but was only monogrammed in the mid 60’s.
Canvas bucket hat, Gucci
Back in 2018, Hedi Slimane did a fresh take on Celine’s iconic monogram, which first debuted in 1972. The design took inspiration from the chain encircling the Arc De Triomphe, highlighting the brand’s French roots. The accent on the “E” was removed to enable a simplified and more balanced proportion, evoking Celine’s collection of the 60’s.
Buy: Mini Vertical Cabas canvas and leather tote, $1,700, Celine
Originally created by former creative director Marc Bohan in 1967, the Dior Oblique pattern has been reinterpreted by artistic director Maria Grazia Chiuri. It was first revealed to the public in Spring/ Summer ’69. Honoring the legacy of the house’s archives, Churi presented the print on a jacquard canvas for Autumn/ Winter ’18.
Buy: Saddle jacquard and leather shoulder bag, Dior
The brainchild of Ferragamo Women’s Creative Director Paul Andrew, the “Gancini” embraces the elegance and refined sensuality of its form, as well as the duality of the two clasps held together. It is said that the source of inspiration for the logo were the iron gates of Ferragamo’s headquarters in Florence, the Palazzo Spini Feroni. It was reported that sales of shoes in 2019 were up 3.5% whereas handbags and leather accessories increased by 4.7%.
Buy: Gancini leather and canvas sneakers, Salvatore Ferragamo
The most recognisable motif when it comes Goyard is its “Y” print. All of Goyard’s monograms, if personalised, are hand-painted with exclusive, strictly natural pigments by artisans. Founded in Paris in 1853, its leather goods company precedes that of Louis Vuitton.
Buy: Goyard Saint Louis tote bag
This article was first published in Harper’s Bazaar and Female.