Designed in 2000 by the artistic director Nicolas Ghesquière, the Classic First bag was presented to the public for the Spring-Summer collection of the following year. And it did not take long for the iconic handbag to become one of the must-have red carpets. We have seen in turn Naomi Watts , Bar Refaeli or Charlotte Gainsbourg proudly display this fashion accessory.
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It must be said that creation has strong arguments to appeal to women around the world. Mainly made of soft lamb, the Classic First has all the codes that make the Balenciaga brand famous: leather straps, aged brass, mirror, hand-stitched handles ... In short, it-bag is a pure Balenciaga juice that imposes itself by its resolutely modern style.
In line with its time and with the multiple needs of women, the model can be worn in two ways: under the arm or shoulder thanks to the removable shoulder strap. Perfect for a cocktail as for a day of work so.
The Classic First, a symbol of renewal at Balenciaga
After the death of its founder in 1972, the Balenciaga house struggles to bounce back. It will be necessary to wait until 1997 and the arrival of Nicolas Ghesquière with the artistic direction of the mark so that the renewal is the tip of its nose. If the young designer is inspired by the heritage left by the master, he does not hesitate to breathe a wind of modernity and impertinence into his creations. And it works ! Balenciaga seems to wake up from a long sleep, perfectly rested and in good shape to conquer new markets.
Photo credit: Imaxtree / Daniele Oberrauch
In 2001, the brand joined Gucci and benefited from the international aura of the growing luxury group. Leather goods contribute greatly to this quasi-resurrection. The it-bags follow one another and have a real passion for the female audience. From City Bag to Lariat to First ... The designer takes inspiration from women to create models that are both trendy and practical. After fifteen years behind the scenes of the house, Nicolas Ghesquière leaves her to sail to other horizons and quickly joined Louis Vuitton. He is replaced by Alexander Wang in 2012 and Demna Gvasalia in 2015.
