Mansur Gavriel: The Modernization of Classic Handbags

An unexpected encounter

Imagine yourself walking around an art exhibition. You admire the colorful paintings and intriguing sculptures around you. As you walk along, you get into a conversation with someone who also shares a deep passion for fashion. The conversation is lively and full of inspiration. The common interest leads to sharing ideas and visions on fashion and design.

The seed of an idea

Soon the idea grows to start a brand together that revolves around simple, yet elegant designs. This brand should capture the essence of style and functionality, without compromising on quality or style. The conversations flow naturally and without effort numerous creative concepts and plans arise.

The start of an adventure

This is exactly how Rachel Mansur and Floriana Gavriel began their adventure. Two women with different backgrounds, but with a shared vision and passion for fashion. Rachel, raised in Los Angeles and Floriana, originally from Germany, found each other in their love for timeless and refined designs. Their meeting would change the fashion world forever.

From idea to reality

Rachel and Floriana’s vision went beyond just designing beautiful bags. They wanted to create something that was both functional and elegant, something that would stand the test of time and be loved by their customers. This pursuit of perfection and simplicity led to the creation of their brand, Mansur Gavriel.

Inspiration and motivation

Rachel and Floriana’s story is a testament to what is possible when passion and talent come together. Their shared love of art and design, combined with their determination to create something unique, has created a brand that is recognized and admired worldwide.

The Origin of Mansur Gavriel

Rachel Mansur grew up in sunny Los Angeles. From a young age, she was surrounded by art and creativity. This environment nurtured her passion for fashion and textiles. After high school, Rachel decided to further develop her talents and enrolled at the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design, where she was able to further deepen her love for textiles.

European influences

Floriana Gavriel, on the other hand, spent her childhood in Germany. Inspired by the rich European fashion history, she also chose a career in fashion. Floriana studied fashion design at the University of the Arts in Bremen, where she further developed her unique style and vision. Her education in Bremen gave her the tools to transform her creative ideas into tangible designs.

A special meeting

Fate brought Rachel and Floriana together in 2010 during a concert of The xx in Los Angeles. This chance meeting turned out to be the beginning of a fruitful collaboration. While enjoying the music, they soon discovered their shared passion for fashion and design. This led to long conversations and the decision to combine their talents and create something new together.

Moving to the big city

In 2012, Rachel Mansur and Floriana Gavriel took the bold step of moving to New York. They left their old lives behind to pursue their dream of starting their own fashion brand. The vibrant energy of New York provided the perfect backdrop for their creative aspirations.

First steps in the fashion world

Mansur Gavriel's first collection was launched in 2013. This collection consisted of two simple yet refined designs: the iconic bucket bag and a minimalist tote. These bags immediately stood out for their clean lines and timeless style, characteristics that quickly made the brand famous.

A balance between luxury and accessibility

Rachel and Floriana had a clear vision for their brand. They wanted to create bags that exuded luxury, but were also affordable for a wider audience. By using high-quality materials and craftsmanship, they managed to find this balance perfectly, which quickly made their bags popular with fashionistas and everyday users.

The success of the bucket bag

The bucket bag became a sensation and immediately put Mansur Gavriel on the map in the fashion world. This simple yet elegant design quickly became a favorite among influential bloggers and fashion journalists, which led to an explosion in popularity and demand for their products.

(Source: Hollywood Reporter )

Challenges and perseverance

Despite the rapid popularity, the road to success was not without its challenges. Rachel and Floriana had to work hard to keep up with production and meet the high expectations of their customers. Their perseverance and determination to deliver quality played a major role in their continued success.

Respect for tradition

Mansur Gavriel has always had a deep appreciation for traditional craftsmanship. This is evident in their choice of vegetable tanned leather, originating from Italy. The leather is produced by a Tuscan tannery that has been in business for generations. This tannery is known for its artisanal techniques and high-quality materials, which contributes to the durability and unique look of the bags.

Quality over quantity

One of Mansur Gavriel’s core values ​​is the pursuit of excellence. Each piece of leather is carefully selected and treated to ensure it meets the highest standards. This process not only guarantees a beautiful end product, but also a bag that only gets better with age. This dedication to quality is what makes Mansur Gavriel’s bags so beloved by their customers.

Sustainable choices

Sustainability plays an important role in Mansur Gavriel's philosophy. By choosing vegetable tanned leather, they reduce their impact on the environment. This traditional tanning method uses natural tannins from tree bark, leaves and other plant sources, instead of harmful chemicals. This makes the leather not only more environmentally friendly, but also biodegradable.

Timeless elegance

The vegetable tanned leather gives Mansur Gavriel bags a timeless elegance. The leather develops a unique patina over time, giving each bag its own character. This makes the bags not only a fashion accessory, but also an investment that will last for years and become more beautiful with time.

Local production

By working with local Italian artisans, Mansur Gavriel not only supports traditional techniques, but also the local economy. These partnerships ensure that production is ethical and that each bag is made with care and attention. This ties in with their aim to create fashion that is both beautiful and responsible.

Vilix bags and Mansur Gavriel

Liva phone case - black

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 10 cm x 17 cm x 5 cm
• Color: Black
• Price: €49.95
• Material: High quality PU leather
• Details: Adjustable shoulder strap, multiple compartments

Style and functionality

The Liva phone pouch exudes the same simplicity and sophistication as Mansur Gavriel’s designs. This pouch is not only practical due to its compact size, but also stylish due to the use of high-quality PU leather. The adjustable shoulder strap and multiple compartments make it a versatile accessory that fits perfectly with the minimalist style that Mansur Gavriel is known for. Rachel Mansur and Floriana Gavriel would wear this pouch themselves because of its functional layout and timeless design that seamlessly matches their own designs.

Mila bag

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 20 cm x 13 cm x 6 cm
• Colors: Black, Brown
• Price: €69.95
• Material: Vegan leather
• Details: Adjustable shoulder strap, multiple storage compartments

Style and functionality

The Mila bag strikes a perfect balance between style and functionality, similar to the timeless elegance of Mansur Gavriel's designs. The use of vegan leather emphasizes sustainability and ethics, values ​​that Rachel and Floriana also hold dear. The adjustable shoulder strap and spacious storage compartments make this bag ideal for everyday use. The Mila bag would be worn by Rachel and Floriana themselves because of its stylish simplicity and ethical materials that align with their own philosophy.

Mace bag

Specifications:

• Dimensions: 15 cm x 20 cm x 7 cm
• Colors: Black, Green, Beige
• Price: €59.95
• Material: Vegan PU leather
• Details: Adjustable and detachable shoulder strap, main compartment with zipper

Style and functionality

The Mace bag combines compactness with a stylish look, making it a perfect fit for Mansur Gavriel’s design philosophy. The use of vegan PU leather and the attention to detail reflect the quality and durability that are also central to Rachel and Floriana’s collections. The clean lines and simple design make this bag a versatile choice for any occasion. Rachel and Floriana would wear this bag themselves because of its compact elegance and functional layout that perfectly reflects their own style.

Nice to know

Iconic influences: Rachel Mansur and Floriana Gavriel are often inspired by abstract art and minimalist architecture. Think of the abstract paintings of Mark Rothko, known for their simple shapes and deep colours. These influences can be seen in the clean lines and bold colour choices of their bags.

Original Designs: Did you know that Mansur Gavriel’s first designs were handmade by Rachel and Floriana themselves? Before finding a manufacturer, they created prototypes of their iconic bucket bag in their own New York apartments. This handwork allowed them to perfect every detail before the bag hit the market.

A surprising collaboration: In 2017, Mansur Gavriel entered into a unique collaboration with Finnish design house Marimekko. This collaboration produced a line of bags that combined Marimekko’s signature bold patterns with Mansur Gavriel’s minimalist style. It was a creative exchange that attracted a lot of attention in the fashion world.

Award-winning success: In addition to winning the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund Award, Mansur Gavriel was also nominated for the Accessory Designer of the Year Award at the CFDA Fashion Awards in 2015 and 2016. These recognitions confirmed their impact and success in the fashion industry.

Try a Vilix bag

If you appreciate the refined style and high-quality materials of Mansur Gavriel, you will also enjoy the Vilix bags. Each bag, such as the Liva bag, Mila bag and Mace bag, offers a combination of practicality and elegance. Add a touch of style to your everyday look with a phone bag today and experience the perfect balance between functionality and design. Explore the collection and choose the bag that best suits your unique style.