iStyle: It’s in the bag

There’s a world more to Roland Mouret than just ‘that dress’, says Rebecca Gonsalves

There’s more to Roland Mouret than just “that dress”. You know the one, the Galaxy as worn by everyone from Victoria Beckham to Carol Vorderman, its influence still pulses through the formal end of high street dressing. But that dress is old news; indeed it has been nearly a decade since that dress had its debut, and the talents of Mouret far outstrip the legacy of one garment.

Although best-known for his ready-to-wear, Mouret cut his accessories teeth when he took over as creative director of the French footwear brand Robert Clergerie in 2011 to great acclaim. And now the designer has released his handbag debut, which was presented on the catwalk alongside the autumn/winter collection, and further accessorised with sunglasses, too.

“The most important new category since I first created the dress is the bag,” Mouret says of his collection. “I am so happy to start this journey.” Consisting of four styles, including a buckled clutch, satchel and saddle bag, the tightly edited collection is designed to translate from day to evening, with an emphasis on clean shapes.

Luxurious materials such as calf and goat skin, suede and patent leather mean that these bags are designed to endure time and wear, handy as the designer price-tag means that each will no doubt be a lifetime investment. Luxurious attention to detail comes through in touches such as a secret mirror stowed in the clutch design and flat links in the chain strap that will sit comfortably on the wearer’s shoulder.

The designs are available in a colour palette of earthy tones – taupe, clay and dark brown – with rich petrol blue, emerald, white, burgundy and, of course, black.

In the designer’s own words: “The collection has a heavy mix of French attitude, making them the perfect complement to the Roland Mouret woman. Designing leather goods pushes you to question your creativity and bags are for me the next level of my design maturity.”