Known for its architectural austerity and near-invisible gold branding, Mansur Gavriel is the name that has transfixed the fashion world this year. The accessories label, launched in 2012 by friends Rachel Mansur and Floriana Gavriel, embodies a minimalist sensibility yet still demonstrates the designers' flair for construction and colour theory. Lengthy waitlists for its three versatile styles – an unadorned tote, a spirited bucket bag and a sleek, fashion-forward backpack – are commonplace.
This month, the duo celebrates its collaboration with Opening Ceremony on an exclusive new shade: a silver Saffiano leather that marks the brand's first foray into metallics. To create the perfect display, Mansur and Gavriel teamed up with the furniture design studio RO/LU on a puzzle-shaped mirrored table – the only one of its kind, and on view at Opening Ceremony's New York flagship on Howard Street. Inspired by artists Dan Graham and Helio Oiticica, the table's reflective surface plays up the look of the metallic bags while disorienting onlookers.
'We admire RO/LU's work, which moves freely across disciplines,' say cofounders Mansur and Gavriel. 'RO/LU isn't strictly defined by the archetypal boundaries of the art and design worlds. Their body of work is clean and conceptual, and also accessible – which is a sensibility we strongly relate to as a brand.'
The label's multidisciplinary approach is a clever fusion of the friends' design backgrounds. Mansur's textiles degree from the Rhode Island School of Design reveals itself in the colour combinations and refined construction of the bags, while Gavriel's fashion-design experience – including time spent at Lanvin – is evident in their elegance and sophistication.
Each Mansur Gavriel bag is handmade in Italy from vegetable-tanned Tuscan leather. The classic silhouettes are amped up with inspired two-toned colour combinations, which have quickly become another facet of the brand's stylish signature. Both the silver tote and bucket bag boast matt navy leather linings for visual contrast.
To create the perfect display, Mansur Gavriel teamed up with the furniture design studio RO/LU on a puzzle-shaped mirrored table – on view at Opening Ceremony's New York flagship on Howard Street. The table's reflective surface plays up the look of the metallic bags while disorienting onlookers
Each bag is handmade in Italy from vegetable-tanned Tuscan leather
Both the silver tote and bucket bag boast matt navy leather linings for visual contrast
Lengthy waitlists for its three versatile styles – an unadorned tote, a spirited bucket bag and this sleek, fashion-forward backpack – are commonplace
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