IMAGE: MOYNAT

How many luxury brands can you name that are at least 150 years old? Or add another 20 years and you’ll realise it is a very short list indeed. Thankfully, there’s Moynat, a Parisian luxury brand founded by Pauline Moynat in 1849 that has seen its fortunes rise and rise and fall till its revival recently. And one thing Moynat takes immense pride in is their old-fashioned approach when it comes to making bags, something that looks set to stay for another 170 years.

Now helmed by Creative Director Ramesh Nair, he is your typical ‘artist’, a man who is intensely stubborn when it comes to adhering ‘to the way it should be’, which includes crafting bags from start to finish only in France by artisans who have years of leather expertise and skills behind them.

And because Moynat is not a fashion house (they are first and foremost a luxury bag maker), Nair doesn’t see the need to constantly push out new pieces just to hog headlines, but instead prefers creating classics; timeless pieces (even reworking them a second or a third time around) to just ensure that everything you see in their boutiques worldwide all come with a story dedicated to a specific craft or style that he himself is pleased with. Because if it isn’t good enough for him, it won’t be good enough for you.

So what are some of the icons that come to mind? Well, for starters there’s the Limousine, their rendition of your everyday holdall that comes with the distinctive curve detailing found on the Limousine Trunk, their original offering that was first patented back in 1902. This bag is built with the modern woman in mind, coming with two elongated top handles that can be carried by hand or worn under the shoulder like a chic handbag.

It’s also made from the supple Taurillon Gex leather and is lined with goatskin (it’s rare to find a bag that’s full leather in-and-out) while retaining the ability to stay lightweight. You will be able to find two sizes of the Limousine, the Petit (from SGD4250) which measures 25 cm by 16 cm and comes with a detachable leather shoulder strap, as well as the MM (from SGD5350) that’s slightly bigger at 30 cm by 20 cm.

IMAGE: MOYNAT

Next up would be the Mini Vanity (SGD5500), a chic little clutch that comes in a perfect cube (12 cm by 12 cm). Showcasing impressive craftwork like angle stitching, a technique that’s done using a single linen thread and two needles to create a precise and perfect pattern, only the finest leather goes into this piece, finished with painted edges that have been waxed to perfection and equipped with a jewel-inspired lock right in front for that perfect touch of luxe.

IMAGE: MOYNAT

Lastly there’s the Réjane, named for the actress Gabrielle Réjane that was a long-time friend of founder Pauline Moynat. First launched in 1903 and revived in recent times to feature clean, delicate curves that are modelled after trunks, the structured city bag comes in 4 different sizes. There’s the BB (from SGD6500) that measures 20 cm by 15 cm, going up to the relatively new 23 (from SGD6900) that’s slightly wider and taller at 23 cm by 16.5 cm. Ladies who prefer the bigger sizes can check out the PM (from SGD7100) and the MM (from SGD8000) which come in at 26 cm by 18.5 cm and 30 cm by 20.5 cm respectively.

170 years, 3 icons. Check them all out at Moynat boutiques in Singapore at Marina Bay Sands and Takashimaya Shopping Centre.

IMAGES: MOYNAT