History of the Gucci Jackie 1961 Collection
As many collectors have speculated, the Italian fashion house named this series after long-time Gucci devotee Jacqueline “Jackie” Kennedy Onassis. The earliest version of the Jackie debuted in the 1950s, well before the former First Lady and global fashion influencer popularized it. At that time, it was known simply as the Constance or Fifties Constance bag. A few years later, it became a unisex piece with a new name reflecting the free-spirited and gender-bending attitudes of the time: G1244. By the 1970s, the shoulder bag was renamed once more as a tribute to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, for whom the bag had become a wardrobe staple.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, photographers frequently caught the former First Lady carrying it on her shoulder or tucked chicly under her arm while out and about. Hounded by the paparazzi, she was famously snapped wielding the bag as a shield from their aggressive behavior, thus cementing its name and reputation as a must-have accessory for the fashion elite.
Since then, the bag has reemerged multiple times, and each time bearing a new collection name. Notable revivals include the Jackie x Tom Ford Era released in 1999 and the Jackie O Bouvier, introduced in 2009 under former Gucci creative director Frida Giannini. The bag was recently reintroduced in 2020 with new materials and sizes by Giannini’s successor, Alessandro Michele. True to Jackie’s unisex origins and Michele’s explicitly androgynous approach to design, the creative director presented the collection as Jackie 1961 in his men’s Fall 2020 runway show. Previous names of this iconic series include:
- The Jackie Original
- The Jackie x Tom Ford Era
- The Jackie O
- The Jackie O Bouvier
- Nailhead Jackie
- The Jackie Web Hobo
- The New Jackie
Design Details of Gucci Jackie 1961 Collection
The defining feature of the various Jackie collections is the closure. The clasp of the Jackie 1961 collection is a gleaming cylindrical piston. This fastener can show up as a chunky lobster clasp on vintage Jackie bags, rectangular-shaped like that of the Jackie x Tom Ford Era bags or a cross clasp, which resembles a sleek pincer. When shopping on resale marketplaces, the clasp can often help date the era of the bag.
Materials and Craftsmanship of Gucci Jackie 1961 Collection
The Gucci Jackie 1961 collection highlights a variety of premium Gucci materials, from canvas to denim to leather. Logo fanatics will surely gravitate toward Jackie 1961 bags crafted in the brand’s iconic beige/ebony GG Supreme canvas or the dark blue and ivory eco-washed organic GG jacquard denim with brown leather trim. Collectors seeking something rare and luxurious can choose from exotic python or ostrich models. Finally, traditionalists may opt for one of the many upscale leather styles. Jackie leather colorways span neutral (black, white), printed (vibrant floral patterns from the Ken Scott archives), pastel (light blue, light pink, light purple) or bright (emerald green, red, yellow).
Gucci Jackie 1961 Silhouettes
The Jackie 1961 collection comes in an array of practical and chic silhouettes, including card case wallets, chain wallets, mini shoulder bags, small, medium and large shoulder bags and medium and large tote bags.
The most prevalent and recognizable of these is the Jackie 1961 small shoulder bag. Measuring 11" W x 7.5" H x 1.6" D, this single-gusset handbag boasts a slim profile, characteristic curved half-moon shape and a fold-over tab with the gleaming piston closure indicative of the collection. The arched top handle adjusts with an oval buckle located on one side of the strap and possesses a 7” drop, an ideal length for either carrying it in hand or for tucking it safely under the arm when wearing on the shoulder.
A removable strap with a 20.5” drop attaches via another oval buckle for hands-free portability. Inside, one zip pocket and one open pocket holds your smartphone, wallet and other modern-day essentials. Gucci Jackie 1961 small shoulder bags crafted in leather weigh approximately .5 kg, or just under 1 lb., making them an elegant lightweight option for the office, lunch dates or running weekly errands. The medium and large Jackie 1961 hobo bags are virtually identical to the small style but scaled up for additional carrying capacity.
Gucci Jackie 1961 Value and Collectiblity
Gucci Jackie handbags experienced a significant boost on secondary markets following the 2020 introduction of the Jackie 1961 collection, with sales increasing as much as 631%. Because of the frequent Jackie revivals, secondary markets possess an ample supply of Gucci Jackie 1961 bags and its predecessors. For instance, in early 2021, pre-loved Jackie small shoulder bags in GG Supreme canvas often fetch, on average, more than $170. As expected, you’ll pay a heftier price tag for newer iterations—more than $1300 for a pre-owned small shoulder bag in GG Supreme with Web accent.
For collectors, the Gucci Jackie 1961 represents a smart investment. It’s a classic and practical model crafted in premium materials with little emphasis on short-lived trends. Plus, its recurrent production adds to buyers continuing interest in the style, ensuring a consistent market for this former First Lady favorite.