Guibert: Parisian Style w/ Equestrian Roots

In my previous post on handbag investments, I talked about the rise of double income households as one of the driving forces in the explosion of interests on premium and luxury items marketed towards women. High end well-established luxury houses are not the only ones to benefit from this trend - we have seen a flurry of new entrants in the handbag market who have taken a sizable share of social media attention. From Polène to DeMellier to Strathberry, modern women have no shortage of choices when it comes to picking that all-too-important accessory.

Having choices is good, but having too many choices can make our lives more complicated than it needs to be. I sometimes dream of simpler days when quality is more easily distinguished from the rest of the pack, when heritage and craftsmanship were what guided us to make an important purchase rather than Instagram Stories and TikTok posts. This is precisely what I appreciate about the Parisian brand Guibert.

Saddle Bag Pony in Taurillon Pessoa, €345

Guibert is founded by Pierre Guibert in 1999. As an equestrian lover, Pierre Guibert wanted this brand to be a meeting place of all who are passionate about the equestrian lifestyle and the maroquineries that accompany it.

Guibert’s Paris boutique is located in a part of town that is more targeted towards locals instead of international tourists. Despite this, when I visited the boutique, there was already another “foreigner” talking to the salesperson. It seems that the brand has established a reputation among certain circles not only in France, but internationally.

When you enter the shop, you feel instantly that you’re surrounded by horse lovers. The first thing you encounter is probably the panel of saddles covering the wall. That was really the focal point of the shop. As you move around, you notice that the shop feels more like an atelier for equestrian lifestyle rather than a leather goods boutique. Sure, they have a few handbag models, belts, accessories on display, but they were not pushy to sell you anything. Rather, they want to make sure you appreciate the brand’s identity and value, purchasing something follows as a second thought.

Apart from the belt I was getting for my husband, I noticed a few riding boots by the window which piqued my curiosity. Upon closer inspection, I discovered that they were real riding boots, like you know - for horse riding, and not fashion riding boots like those made by a slightly bigger equestrian leather house based in Paris. After putting those back, I took a last turn around the small boutique, and noticed a large tote bag made in a buttery saddle leather in the gold/tan color which looked like it would patina beautifully over time. It reminded me so much of Hermes’ heritage leather - Barenia. This is when a man came out of the hidden atelier area of the boutique came out and greeted me with a warm smile. He looked awfully like … Pierre Guibert from the brand’s website! Mr. Guibert proceeded to explain to me that the leather is from a French tannery close to the Alsace region where many of the famous French tanneries are located. In fact, they source much of their leather from the same tannery as luxury houses like Chanel. Mr. Guibert also explained to me that the Grooming Bag (the name of the tote bag) was made employing the famous saddle stitching technique that Hermes is famous for. No doubt, the bag looks nothing but the highest quality.

Grooming Bag in saddle leather, €730

After resisting the urge to instant-buy the beautiful Grooming Bag, I thought I might as well try on their iconic Allure Bag. It wasn’t a style that evokes a coup de cœur, but once I put it on my shoulder, I was surprised at the subtle elegance the bag exudes. There was something undeniably Parisian about this bag. Just like the modern French women on the streets of Paris, there’s something casual and nonchalant in the way it carries itself.

Allure Bag in Taurillon Pessoa, €395

After walking out of the boutique with my husband’s belt, I’m left with two new obsessions - the Grooming Bag, and the Allure Bag. Best to sleep on it!