Valextra Showroom at Milan Fashion Week SS 2022
On the occasion of Milano Fashion Week, Valextra reveals the lens through which everything it creates and communicates is seen: the Present Continuous.
It’s Valextra’s way of being timely as opposed to timeless; constantly designing for the moment with a contemporary spirit that ensures our silhouettes remain as relevant as the day they were conceived — while also leaving room for reinvention.
For SS22, Valextra has looked to do just that: icons including the Tric Trac and the Iside handbags evolve in new textures, capacities, and vibrant colour palettes. Strawberry, emerald green, yellow, peony pink and orange applied to our multi-dimensional Millepunte leather complement our existing muted palette of powder blue, ash grey, oyster and camel, making for striking updates of Valextra’s signature silhouettes.
Elsewhere, new introductions — the New Micro Bucket, the Boxy, the Pocket and the Canvas handbags — deliver on the additional versatility and fluid mobility we have observed our Valextra customers looking for.
A reinvigoration of function, form and urban craft, SS22 is a collection that celebrates the evolution of Valextra’s enduring icons; designed for the present, continuously.
ICONS EVOLVED
The Tric Trac
The ultimate icon of the Present Continuous, having been first conceived in 1968, the Tric Trac returns in an energising new palette comprising yellow, peony pink and emerald green options with the contemporary addition of a detachable strap that allows it to be worn crossbody.
They are joined by three new colour combinations that blend our iconic shade of Pergamena with black and yellow, black and redcurrant and black and emerald green. Realised in a rich leather intarsia that wraps around the body of the bag, these new styles come with a wide handle and the option of attaching a chain crossbody strap. Blending provenance with a fresh perspective and reinstating our reputation for vibrant leather goods, Valextra’s most famous invention is invigorated.
The Iside
The Iside arrives in a new size, the Iside Micro. Compact yet capacious enough for the largest smartphone on the market, it defines the urban craft for which Valextra is famed. This new addition comes with a detachable strap featuring the additional functionality of a slimline pocket that is ideal for tech, face masks or keys and is designed to mirror the silhouette of the iconic Iside flap closure. This city-approved design comes in six new shades: yellow, emerald green, orange, strawberry pink, peony pink and camel.
Larger sizes in the Iside story have updates, too. Signature shades of black and Pergamena have been designed in leather intarsia, further enhancing the Iside’s architectural outline. Elsewhere, a 3D geometric print comes in Pergamena and black, while five new colourways arrive in leather intarsia: Pergamena, red and black; Pergamena, camel and black; emerald green, powder-blue and off-white; Pergamena, pale pink and peony pink; and Pergamena, camel and yellow — the latter inspired by the apartment floor of Milanese master architect Gio Ponti.
Finally, the Iside has been realised in both cornflower blue and peony-pink cashmere which has been treated with a special coating to render the cashmere water resistant. Meanwhile, its black calf-skin crossbody straps also feature slimline pockets in contrasting shades.
The Iside Raincoats
Smart and functional, Valextra’s transparent raincoats both protect and innovate the Iside. This season, a new-era design will be made with a 100% recyclable material comprising 20% recycled plastic.
Further raincoats join the portfolio: a macramé embroidery appliquéd to the raincoat creates a circular pattern on the bag that imbues a graphic romance, while a version in cottontowelling affords the opportunity to dress the Iside for different occasions. This comes in three colour combinations: Pergamena, black and emerald green; Pergamena, black and yellow; and Pergamena, black and red.
ICONS IN THE MAKING
The New Micro Bucket
Designed to be worn in the nook of the arm or with its detachable strap, the new Micro Bucket handbag has been designed to carry more than a clutch but less than a crossbody with the additional benefit of having an internal leather-trimmed zipped pouch to keep belongings safe. Like its fellow SS22 counterparts, it is rendered in jubilant hues of yellow, strawberry, emerald green and peony pink to complement evening as well as daytime ensembles.
The Pocket
The new Pocket crossbody handbag has been inspired by the asymmetric lines of Valextra’s SLG collections and the engineering foundations on which the brand has been built.Comprising three pockets — two snap-closing flap compartments and one central zipped space — the adjustable strap has a mechanism engineered to rotate 180 degrees to swing in sync with the body throughout the day. Arriving at a newly introduced price point, it makes for an attainable investment as well as a keepsake gift.
The Boxy
The new Boxy tote bag has been designed in two sizes which cater for A4 documents and create a safe space for laptops and technology thanks to its padded lining. Crafted in Valextra’s signature Millepunte calf skin and our smooth leather, they feature the architectural curved pocket inspired by the original Valextra flagship windows on Via San Babila. Rounded handles and a detachable shoulder strap ensure versatility, comfort and ease.
…and the Canvas
The new Canvas handbag brings an elegant informality to the SS22 collection, becoming an immediate summer essential. Crafted from 100% recyclable fibres sourced from Dedar, the double stripes of the bag continue to become its top handles denoting the finest quality craftsmanship. Dynamic in its construction, it is distinguishable by Valextra’s signature rounded pocket which has a foiled code number unique to the bag and the artisan who made it.
VALEXTRA
Founded by Giovanni Fontana in 1937, Valextra’s story starts in the city where it continues to flourish: Milano. Its home and constant inspiration, the city’s architectural juxtapositions and urban elegance have paved the way for over eight decades of iconic Italian craftsmanship. Constantly unveiling itself in beguiling and exciting ways, the city’s tension between sobriety and spontaneity influences everything Valextra conceives and creates.
As one of Italy’s oldest luxury leather-goods brands, Valextra remains relevant by existing in the present continuous, a concept that speaks to the contemporary spirit of its products that transcend time and trends and only gain in popularity and provenance.
From the iconic Tric Trac wristbag, first conceived in 1968, to the Iside handbag, conceived in 2011, preservation and innovation are symbiotic in Valextra’s approach to craft and construction. Perpetual details, such as the black lacquered Costa edging; the fine, handpainted China lines; and its famous shade of Pergamena white have endured as discreet yet distinctive signatures.
Valextra’s commitment to engineering beauty in order to conceive meaningful everyday objects of desire dates back to Fontana. An engineer, an explorer and an entrepreneur, he incorporated floor-to-ceiling windows into the architecture of the original Valextra atelier on Via San Babila 1 so he could observe the everyday commutes of the Milanese and anticipate pieces that would fuse everyday function with aesthetic finesse.
This continues to be Valextra’s philosophy. As a result, a Valextra design is defined by its timeliness, encapsulating its constant endeavour to create essential and versatile items that embody urban craft.
PRESS OFFICE WORLDWIDE
Via Manzoni 3, 20121 Milan
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press@valextra.com
