As part of my experience at Gerard Darel, I participated in the design of several handbag models, integrated into the house's seasonal collections.
Category :
Design & Development
Brand :
Gerard Darel
Date :
2017 - 2018
Gerard Darel
The goal was to reinterpret the brand's understated elegance and iconic Parisian chic, while incorporating contemporary details to meet the expectations of a customer who is both loyal and looking for something new.
Throughout the process, I collaborated with the team of modelers and workshops to ensure technical feasibility, cost compliance, and alignment with the brand identity. From the search for inspiration to the validation of prototypes, each piece was designed to balance heritage and contemporary desirability.
01 . The Arty D Line
— "The Arty D Line" from Gerard Darel" —
Capsule line with a arty-inspired aesthetic, designed to bring an artisanal and poetic touch to the brand’s leather goods offering. The goal was to reflect a free-spirited, nomadic sensibility while staying true to the understated elegance of the house.
The key feature of this line was the use of hand embroidery on leather, developed in close collaboration with Indian workshops renowned for their artisanal expertise. The embroidery designs, inspired by reinterpreted floral and ethnic motifs, were applied to soft vegetable-tanned leathers in a warm, earthy color palette — terracotta, deep blues, and rich browns.
02 . The Berlingot Line
— "The Berlingot Line" from Gerard Darel —
Collection of a playful and sophisticated series of leather bags distinguished by a signature triple-color topstitching. Inspired by the vibrant stripes and soft geometry of French confectionery — the iconic berlingot — this line brought a bold, modern twist to the brand’s timeless aesthetic.
The design concept focused on graphic precision and color balance, using high-contrast topstitching in three carefully curated shades to create a sense of rhythm and movement across smooth, structured leather. This stitching detail became the defining element of the collection, adding visual depth while emphasizing the clean construction of each piece.
03 . The Shine Line
— "The Shine Line" from Gerard Darel —
A bold, festive capsule built around a high-shine lacquered leather, accented with dynamic fringes, metal rivets, and decorative beading.
Inspired by the glamour and freedom of the 1970s, this collection merges expressive detailing with the refined structure and timeless codes of the brand. The leather, chosen for its mirror-like gloss and supple hand, became a canvas for rich embellishments, movement, and texture. Each decorative element was carefully placed to enhance the piece’s energy without compromising elegance.
04 . The Tartan Line
— "The Tartan Line" from Gerard Darel —
A textured capsule that reinterprets the classic tartan pattern through woven leather panels — transforming a traditional motif into a rich, dimensional construction.
Rather than printing, the tartan effect is achieved through an artisanal weaving of leather strips, combining smooth finishes in deep, heritage-inspired tones : black, white, and blue. The result is a surface that feels both structured and organic, with the intricate handwork giving life and depth to the motif.
