Following Frida Giannini’s abrupt departure, Alessandro Michele assumed the role of creative director at Gucci. Though a relatively unknown designer, Michele had already been with the house for 13 years, serving as a bag designer and assistant designer under Tom Ford and Frida Giannini respectively. 

In his second collection for the house, Fall/Winter 2015 Womenswear, Michele released the Gucci Dionysus. His first bag design as creative director, it exampled that Michele was going to bring a unique look to Gucci, harmonizing motifs from its heritage with his fresh perspective; vintage, yet new age.  

The Gucci Dionysus is named for the Greek God of wine, pleasure, and life. As Dionysus rode in a carriage led by tigers, it features an aged metal, U-shaped clasp, which is tipped by tiger heads. Not only the bag’s identifying feature, this closure has since become a signature of the house. 

Michele balanced this dramatic, new embellishment (encrusted with Swarovski crystals on some) with the house’s historic print. Initially, the Gucci Dionysus bag was crafted of Diamante coated canvas, which was originally released in the mid-1930s and later updated in 1961. It has since been released in many different variations, including metallic leather, exotic animal skins, and flora and fauna patch overlays, but the first style has been credited with the revival of the iconic Diamante pattern. 

With its sliding chain strap, the Gucci Dionysus can be carried as a crossbody or shoulder bag. Structured, the silhouette is available in a range of sizes, from super mini to medium. 

Browse our collection of pre-loved Gucci Dionysus Bags. Not only will you save, but you will also have the opportunity to score a style you missed out on before!