When it comes to brands worthy of investing in, Givenchy is at the top of the list. The French brand has several iconic designs that are instantly recognizable. You’ve probably seen more than one of these styles on your Instagram feed.
The brand is a hit with celebrities and influencers commanding a global audience and loyal fashion following that, unfortunately, includes counterfeiters. If you’re not sure where to invest your money, classic bags are always a guaranteed winner.
Their value will typically always appreciate with time, thanks to price increases and growing demand. We’re looking at some of Givenchy’s most iconic bags and the ones that are worth the splurge.
Givenchy has no shortage of iconic bags. We’re taking a snapshot of five of the brand’s most popular styles, focusing on the Antigona and Pandora bags.
1. Antigona: Givenchy’s Quintessential ‘It’ Bag
When it comes to ‘it’ bags, the Antigona tops the list for Givenchy. Everyone has carried it from the Kardashian-Jenner sisters to international supermodels like Rosie Huntington-Whiteley.
Khloe Kardashian, Miranda Kerr, Ashley Greene, and Kourtney Kardashian carrying Givenchy Antigona bag (Credit: Rayne-JP / Cousart / JFXimages / STS / WENN)
Givenchy launched the Antigona bag as part of the Fall/Winter 2011 collection by Creative Director Riccardo Tisci. It’s a reflection of his aesthetic for blending masculine and feminine silhouettes and detailing together to create a bag that is both modern and timeless.
The name ‘Antigona’ comes from the Greek mythological figure ‘Antigone,’ who had a fiery personality and was unapologetic in her actions. You can spot the Antigona bag from a mile away with its top handle design and structured silhouette.
The top zip closure reveals a spacious interior and multiple interior pockets, with a large detachable shoulder strap.
Considered as Givenchy’s “it” bag, the Antigona is characterized by the round top handles, top zip, and trapezoid shape with a triangular logo patch
This bag had its heyday in the mid-2010s, but it quickly reached the status of a classic bag, making it the perfect investment into your luxury closet. If you’re not sure which Givenchy bag to buy, the small Antigona is a must-have.
This bag is always available in smooth calfskin, the most affordable option. Each season, they update the bag with various color palettes and leathers, such as the current metallic options.
The Antigona has been updated for Spring/Summer 2021 with industrial hardware while maintaining the bag’s distinctive shape.
Givenchy Antigona bag sizes: (left to right) Baby, Nano, Mini, Small, and Medium
The Antigona bag is currently available in five sizes:
Baby – 9cm x 8cm x 3cm – retails from $590 in leather with chain.
Nano – 16.5 cm x 14cm x 4cm – retails from $990 with grained leather.
Mini – 28cm x 19cm x 13cm – retails from $1,790 with grained leather.
Small – 33cm x 23 cm x 17cm – retails from $2,290 with grained leather.
Medium – 40cm x 28cm x 19cm – retails from $2,450 with grained leather.
If you’re a fan of the bag, you’ll be glad to know its popularity has resulted in an entire collection inspired by the OG bag. You can now pick it up in a soft shopper tote, a vertical bag, and a less structured version of the original top-handle bag.
Givenchy Antigona soft shopper bag (left), mini vertical leather bag (middle), soft medium leather tote (right)
2. Pandora: The Casual Chic Choice from Givenchy
If the structured silhouette of the Antigona isn’t for you, the Pandora bag will likely be right up your street. The Pandora is a more casual ‘it’ bag, the sort of style you could imagine off-duty supermodels wearing while running errands or traveling first class.
Amanda Seyfried, Kendall Jenner, and Lily Aldridge carrying different styles of the Givenchy Pandora bag (Credit: Rayne-JP / Cousart / JFXimages / STS / WENN)
Like the Antigona, the Pandora also draws its name from Greek Mythology. It is named after the first woman to open the legendary ‘Pandora’s Box.’ However, the inspiration behind this name lies not in Pandora’s story but rather in the bag’s design, which echoes the box-like silhouette of the mythological container.
The Pandora bag has a unique set-up, with a rectangular shape with more to it than meets the eye. It has a front flap pocket and double zip fastening that runs parallel.
Easily identified by its cube shape, the Givenchy Pandora has two metal zips, a single handle, and a removable shoulder strap
You can carry the bag by its top handle or detachable shoulder strap. As you fill the bag with your belongings, its shape becomes slouchier.
The Pandora bag predates the Antigona, first appearing in the Fall/Winter 2009 collection.
Givenchy Pandora Mini (left), Givenchy Pandora Small (middle), Givenchy Pandora Medium (right)
The Pandora bag is currently available in three sizes:
Mini – 24cm x 12cm x 10cm – retails from $1,225 with aged leather.
Small – 27cm x 16cm x 13cm – retails from $1,750 with aged leather.
Medium – 32cm x 20cm x 16cm – retails for $1,990 with aged leather.
The Givenchy Pandora is an ideal investment piece for anyone who likes bags like the Balenciaga City or prefers a less structured silhouette. The casual luxury handbag has become a staple in the brand’s catalog.
While the shape is not for everyone, its versatility has fuelled its popularity for several seasons. The Pandora has been a minor update in recent seasons with a monogram 4G strap for a streetwear-ready look.
3. Nightingale: Givenchy’s Versatile Classic
Although no longer available directly from Givenchy, the Nightingale bag is instantly recognizable for any fans of the brand.
It’s an honorable mention on this list of iconic and the perfect in-between style that blends the best of the Antigona and Pandora silhouettes.
Vanessa Hudgens, Nicole Richie, and Ashley Tisdale toting Givenchy’s Nightingale bag
The Nightingale bag is a dream for anyone who wants a real-life Mary Poppins bag, with a timeless silhouette that gives the hobo bag a modern update.
This style takes its name from Florence Nightingale, giving the Doctor’s bag a feminine and modern twist. The Nightingale style has two top handles and a shoulder strap for hands-free functionality.
Givenchy Nightingale is a hobo-style bag with double top handles, double top zips, and a detachable shoulder strap
The Givenchy logo appears on the base of the top handles for a minimalistic look. It’s the perfect travel bag to take with you to work or on-the-go, with more than enough room for all your essentials.
If the Givenchy Nightingale bag tickles your fancy, you’ll need to hunt it down on the pre-loved market. Prices will vary depending on the style that catches your eye and the overall condition of the bag.
The Nightingale bag was available in three sizes:
Micro – 25cm x 18cm x 8cm
Small – 34cm x 25cm x 16cm
Medium – 37cm x 29cm x 17cm
The Nightingale bag first appeared in Givenchy’s catalog for the Fall/Winter 2006 collection. It’s the perfect style to pick up pre-loved, especially as brands like Givenchy love to bring back iconic shapes.
Get ahead of the trends and pick up your own Nightingale bag before it makes a return as Givenchy’s must-have vintage bag.
4. Horizon: Givenchy’s Modern Couture Elegance
For a lady-like bag that can take you from a day at the office to a trip to the theatre, check out Givenchy’s Horizon bag. It first appeared in the brand’s Pre-Fall 2016 collection and is another style you can pick up pre-loved.
Selfridges describes this bag as a “modern take on couture,” personifying the aesthetic synonymous with Givenchy.
A structured satchel, the Givenchy Horizon features a timeless silhouette with two top handles and a minimalist Givenchy logo
The Horizon is another Givenchy bag you’ll have to pick up pre-loved through sites like Vestiaire Collective. It’s the perfect choice for those who prefer a more timeless silhouette, and its classic style means it will never date. This Givenchy bag has a similar feel to YSL’s Sac de Jour.
The bag has two top handles, a detachable leather strap, a rectangular structure, and a front flap with the minimalistic ‘Givenchy Paris’ logo.
As this is a bag you’ll have to pick up pre-loved, the price will vary depending on its condition and where you purchase the Horizon bag.
The Horizon bag was available in four sizes:
Nano – 14.5cm x 15.5cm x 9cm
Mini – 19cm x 21cm x 10cm
Small – 28cm x 23cm x 12cm
Medium – 33cm x 35cm x 15cm.
The Givenchy Horizon is perfect for anyone who wants a classic bag or enjoys the Antigona style but something a little more formal.
Shopping around for it on pre-loved sites could grab you a bargain and save you a few hundred dollars. The Horizon bag will never go out of style as a signature classic bag.
5. Rottweiler: Givenchy’s Bold Statement Piece
The Rottweiler is for you if you want a bag that doesn’t feel like Givenchy. This bag takes the shape of the Antigona tote, with a printed image of a snarling rottweiler. It’s the sort of bag that will make a statement wherever you go.
The Rottweiler bag is one of the most iconic in Givenchy’s recent catalog, inspiring a range of products, including wallets and sweaters. While these accessories are still available, they have discontinued the Rottweiler bag.
The Givenchy Antigona Rottweiler is a tote bag that has a distinct rottweiler print on the front
The Antigona Rottweiler tote bag was launched in 2012 and was one of Givenchy’s must-have styles during the mid-to-late 2010s. It’s an eye-catching style that is an icon in their archives.
This oversized tote bag has two leather handles and a matching interior detachable pouch with the same snarling rottweiler print. This pouch can double as a wristlet, giving you a two-in-one.
The bag uses PVC leather to accommodate the printing of the rottweiler image and incorporates Givenchy’s logo between the handles.
While the bags are no longer available, you can pick them up on any pre-loved website for a fairly reasonable price. The price will depend on the condition, but you can expect to pay a few hundred dollars for one in a wearable condition.
The Rottweiler bag was available in three sizes:
Small – 33cm x 28cm x 14cm
Medium – 40cm x 33cm x 19cm
Large – 53cm x 33cm x 19cm
As the bag launched in 2012 and the hyper has died down around it, you should be able to find it at an affordable price. The Givenchy Rottweiler is a must-have style for anyone who is a fan of the brand or who wants a bag that will make a bold statement.
Where to Find Your Givenchy Treasure: Shopping Guide
For the complete luxury experience, buying directly from the brand is always best. It’ll help you build a client history with the fashion house and make it easier if you need any in-house repairs done to your bag further down the line. You’ll get all the branding and boxes that you would expect when making a luxury purchase.
Along with the official Givenchy website, you can purchase their bag through official stockists like Matches Fashion, Mytheresa, and Farfetch.
You can also purchase Antigona and Pandora bags from department stores like Harvey Nichols, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Nordstrom.
If you’re interested in discontinued styles like the Rottweiler, Horizon, or Nightingale, you must search on pre-loved websites.
Vestiaire Collective has an extensive range of second-hand Givenchy bags, while eBay and Depop are other options.