For decades now, backpacks have been a trustworthy companion in hitting the streets, and in the most recent years, designers have been amplifying their design capabilities to construct the perfect “it” pack. As a master of fusing luxury with street, Givenchy’s creative director Riccardo Tisci never fails to impress in producing top-notch fashion forward backpacks. Since taking over the menswear line in addition to his womenswear portfolio in 2008, Tisci has claimed full design authority for its menswear collection and, in the accessories line, released four iconic backpacks – the Rider, the Backpack, the Seventeen and the Obsédia – which serve to enhance the distinctive aesthetic and identity of the Givenchy gentleman.

Givenchy Backpack

Each season sees these pieces in both original and luxuriously reworked versions to embody a subtle strength that is at once both elegant and energetic, yet with their own distinct urban flair. As you might have guessed by its straightforward name, the Backpack (pictured above) is the signature design of Givenchy, with a simple, classic form that leaves ample space for the limelight to be turned onto the brand’s signature visuals, which include prints like the monkey, stars and other graphics. While also paying tribute to youth in not just its name but also its sporty appearance, the Seventeen (pictured top) is embellished with stitching and rounded zips reminiscent of the lines within a basketball court.

Givenchy Obsedia Backpack

Rest assured, this backpack is utterly practical as an actual sports bag, with its alternative handle straps and a mesh shoe compartment. You can also choose to get with the times and flirt just a little with androgyny by flaunting the trendy Obsédia (above), wonderfully functional with its extra-supple leather and two spacious external pockets; or opt for the Rider (below), a couture leather backpack that showcases a chic blend of architectural suppleness within an otherwise minimalist structure, accented by silver-finish hardware details to make it the ideal accessory for any modern metropolitan man.

Givenchy Rider Backpack

Story Credits
Text by Vincent Loh and Rachel Ang

This article was originally published in Men’s Folio