The name Berluti resonates with quiet authority in the world of haute. Founded in 1895 and known primarily for its bespoke footwear and artisanal leather techniques, the house has long been a symbol of timeless taste. But Berluti is more than craftsmanship—it is a culture built around personal elegance, tactility, and enduring expression. Its latest leather carryall, the Toujours Soft Zipped Bag, encapsulates this ethos in full.

Launched as part of Berluti’s Spring 2024 accessories range, the Toujours Soft Zipped Bag reinterprets the original Toujours tote—a house classic first introduced in 2013—with new intent. While the first was structured and minimal, the new version feels pliable, more relaxed, and wholly aligned with contemporary expectations of bespoke: intuitive design, featherlight portability, and beauty that doesn’t beg for attention.

Design That Breathes

At first glance, the Toujours Soft Zipped Bag feels almost weightless. That illusion is thanks to the use of Venezia Softy Calf Leather, a proprietary Berluti material developed specifically for fluid silhouettes. It is buttery to the touch, semi-gloss in finish, and dense enough to hold its shape even while adapting to contents and movement.

The exterior design remains clean, with discreet but impactful features:

• Double zip closure with leather pull tabs for smooth and symmetrical access.
• A flat front pocket, nearly invisible to the eye but ideal for essentials.
• Berluti’s iconic Scritto motif subtly embossed across jacquard webbing—a poetic signature taken from 18th-century calligraphy.
• A trolley loop at the rear, ideal for slipping over rolling luggage during travel.

Available in two standout colorways—Soft Brown and Ice Gold—the bag’s sfumatura finish (a gradual color shift achieved by hand-applied patina layers) gives the leather a sense of depth and motion. In Ice Gold, the finish ranges from antique bronze to sun-washed gold depending on the lighting, while Soft Brown stays grounded in earthy, timeless neutrality.

Function Without Compromise

Luxury bags often fail where functionality begins. Not so with the Toujours Soft. Berluti’s designers have applied the brand’s shoemaking logic—form dictated by function—into the design language of this tote.

Dimensions:

At 38 cm (length) × 24 cm (height) × 20 cm (depth), the bag comfortably fits:

• A 14” laptop
• Tablet, cables, and chargers
• A change of clothes or document folio
• Toiletry pouch or DSLR camera

Interior Design:

• One main compartment, unlined to preserve flexibility.
• One zipped internal pocket, ideal for valuables or keys.
• One flat open pocket stitched into the side wall for documents, passport, or slim tech.

The lining, made from a lightweight cotton-linen blend, complements the softness of the leather while maintaining interior breathability. It’s subtle but premium—quiet luxury embodied.

Mobility and Modular Wearability

Though Berluti’s heritage is rooted in refined dress, the Toujours Soft is unmistakably made for a more dynamic life. It can adapt to business meetings, weekend escapes, or airport terminals without ever appearing out of place.

Carry Options:

• Rolled leather top handles, reinforced for strength and shape retention.
• Removable shoulder strap, padded and adjustable, crafted with Scritto-jacquard nylon for crossbody or over-shoulder ease.

The bag’s triangular folded base—a sculptural touch lifted from Berluti’s original Toujours tote—adds not only volume and support but also elegance. The bag never slouches. It rests with poise.

A New Code for Haute: Understatement and Permanence

At a time when the enriched market is flooded with logo-heavy, trend-chasing products, Berluti’s Toujours Soft Zipped Bag offers a refined counterpoint. It is not performative. It does not chase virality. Instead, it leans into patina, poetry, and purpose.

This is a bag that gains beauty with use. Every scuff or crease on Venezia leather becomes part of a lived-in narrative. In many ways, it behaves like the house’s famous shoes—meant to be worn, polished, and reinterpreted over years.

Care Instructions:

• Wipe with a soft cloth after use.
• Store with tissue paper to retain shape.
• Apply neutral leather balm annually for nourishment.

With proper care, the bag will not wear out—it will evolve.

Cultural Positioning and Market Value

Retail Price:

1,480 KWD (~$4,800 USD), placing it among high-end investment pieces.

Peer Comparisons:

• Louis Vuitton Soft Trunk Tote: louder in branding, less flexible.
• Bottega Veneta Andiamo: more fashion-forward, focused on silhouette.
• Hermès Garden Party: more casual, canvas-based.

The Berluti Toujours Soft Zipped Bag fits a rare space: a sculptural opulent holdall for those who move between worlds—work and weekend, business and art, tradition and reinvention.

Impression: The Bag as Companion

The Berluti Toujours Soft Zipped Bag isn’t flashy. It isn’t complicated. It doesn’t come with exaggerated straps or visual gimmicks. What it does offer is a sense of continuity—a reliable, elegant, and beautifully executed object that elevates its owner’s daily movements.

In a world where speed and novelty are often mistaken for innovation, the Toujours Soft bag is a lesson in stillness, material honesty, and timeless utility. It’s not a seasonal trend. It’s a chapter in a longer story—written not with logos, but with care.

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