Cartier has revealed an exclusive creative collaboration with its ambassador, Lily Collins in the form of a bespoke C de Cartier handbag. Born from a personal dialogue between Collins and Marlin Yuson, Creative Director of Cartier leather goods, the piece was conceived and crafted for the British-American actress by the Maison’s Creative Studio in Paris.
A Signature Silhouette, Reimagined
The bespoke C de Cartier reflects the intersection of the actress’s distinctive style and Cartier’s enduring design language. Drawing on the elegant east-west silhouette from the C de Cartier collection, the bespoke design is distinguished by a tonal brown-on-brown embroidered infinite double C motif. Collins’ initials are hot-stamped in gold, adding a personalised, luminous touch.
First introduced in 1921, Cartier’s iconic double C emblem appears here as an all-over embroidery created using a high-performance thread traditionally reserved for saddlery. This choice not only ensures precision and durability but also underscores the Maison’s commitment to craftsmanship and materials of the highest calibre.
A Creative Journey
For this exclusive creation, the signature C de Cartier clasp has been reinterpreted through a collaboration between the Maison’s leather goods and jewellery ateliers. At Collins’ request, the clasp is adorned with gadroons — an aesthetic code deeply rooted in Cartier’s jewellery heritage — forging a poetic connection between the Maison’s past and its contemporary leather collections.
The Emily in Paris actress, describes the experience of entering the Cartier Creative Studio and witnessing the evolution of her bespoke bag as “truly magical”. From textiles to finishing touches, she highlights the remarkable craftsmanship and the serendipitous link between her initials, “LC”, and those of Louis Cartier.
Marlin Yuson emphasises that the east-west silhouette was designed as an everyday, practical and gender-fluid accessory. Carefully refined in volume, it maintains pure, harmonious lines while remaining exceptionally comfortable to carry.
A Contemporary Icon
Although Cartier does not currently offer a special-order service for leather goods, the C de Cartier east-west shape remains available within the Maison’s collection. It continues to embody the same balance of elegance, functionality and expressive design that shaped this exceptional collaboration with Lily Collins.
(Images: Cartier)
