Who started it? Mansur Gavriel was founded by friends Rachel Mansur and Floriana Gavriel in 2012. Mansur has a bachelor of fine arts degree in textiles from Rhode Island School of Design, in the United States, while Gavriel studied fashion design at the University of the Arts Bremen, in Germany, before working at labels such as Lanvin. After meeting at a concert by the band The xx in Los Angeles, in 2010, the duo moved to New York two years later to start up Mansur Gavriel, a collection of chic leather handbags. Since arriving in stores last June, the bags have become a musthave among fashion editors and celebrities, such as American socialite Olivia Palermo.
Why we love it: simple, minimalist shapes define each of Mansur Gavriel’s collections. There’s nothing trendy here just classic, refined silhouettes that will never go out of style. Quality is a core part of its DNA – everything is handcrafted in Italy from traditional Tuscan vegetable-tanned leather. The bags look and feel luxe thanks to little touches including contrasting coloured lining. While most styles are available in neutral colours, such as black and camel, new colours and leathers will be introduced each season. The best part? The bags won’t break the bank.
What we’d pick: the musthave style is the bucket bag (above left; HK$4,340 to HK$5,430), which comes in two sizes. For everyday wear, the tote (above right; HK$3,150 to HK$4,120) is practical yet chic.