According to Italian designer Giorgio Armani, it was his intention from very early on in his career to create much more than just clothing. Today he has an astonishing portfolio of products, from fragrances to flowers, from furniture and furnishings to chocolates. Of course, there are myriad accessories too. One of his latest is the Giorgio Armani Private Bag, a men's leather case designed to hold all those things essential for modern life. Big enough to fit a laptop, but small enough to be unobtrusive and convenient, The Private Bag manages to combine craftsmanship with functionality. There's even a smaller, secondary 'pocket' attached to the front so you can usefully separate your items for more convenient access.
Modelling the bag, which comes in black, rich red-brown and tan, is artist Clym Evernden, who is a lifelong fan of the work of Armani: 'The first designer item I ever bought was a long-sleeved white T-Shirt from Emporio Armani at the massive price of something like £40, which was a lot of money then,' he remembers. 'It was so beautiful and it lasted me all through school; over time it just became like silk as it was such great quality. I remember going to the Brompton Road shop to get it and just feeling so excited by the whole experience and the whole world of Armani.' The Private Bag, he says, is a useful addition to any wardrobe. 'I still wear Armani T-shirts day-to-day, but Giorgio Armani suits are great for events and meetings.'
Made from tumbled calfskin, The Private Bag, like so much of Armani's output, is designed to be timeless, rather than trend-led. It has distinctive 1cm-thick matte dark piping, which is hand-painted, and sometimes, depending on the colour, contrasts with the base colour to play up the shape. Thick thread is used for tone-on-tone stitching to lend a hint of masculine toughness, and the style is lined in cotton twill in the same colour as the piping. Inside there are various pockets and compartments to aid organisation.
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Photography: Roger Rich; styling: Jo Levin; photo assistant: Matt Foxley; casting: Holly Goodchild at The Communications Store; grooming: Tyler Johnston at One Represents using TYLER by Tyler Johnston; fashion assistant: Julia Lurie; model: Clym Evernden. Private bag, £1,200; armani.com
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