![\"mulberry-tessie-2_1000_1000_90\"](\"https:\/\/www.dutyfreehunter.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/06\/mulberry-tessie-2_1000_1000_90.jpg\")
Classic, practical and ‘affordable’ – that appears to be the message behind the soon-to-be-launched line of Mulberry bags, named Tessie.
\nThe Somerset-based brand, which has been down on its luck, financially speaking, since the short-lived appointment of ex-Herm\u00e8s managing director Bruno Guillon, claims not to have compromised on craftsmanship or materials in creating Tessie. The line, designed by the brand’s in-house design team (it is still on the hunt for a new creative director), will act as a sincere bid to boost the company’s growth; with two recent profit warnings and falling share prices, something has got to give.
\nOn sale later this week, \u00a3495 will get you a compact, Small Satchel, while \u00a3695 will afford you a roomy, slouchy Hobo bag. There’s also a larger Satchel for \u00a3595 and a timeless Tote style for \u00a3595. Each style comes in four leather colourways: black, poppy red, oxblood and oak, and is topped off with a square piece of hardware adorned with Mulberry’s tree logo. There is also a more premium finish, in Croc Stripe Suede Midnight Blue, which comes in a clutch bag, \u00a3595 and Satchel form, \u00a3795.<\/p>\n
When news of the Tessie collection was publicised back in April, fans of the brand excitedly tweeted and shared the announcement; the prospect of getting change from \u00a3500 for a day bag has not been possible for some time.\u00a0Under Guillon’s tenure as Mulberry CEO, the brand’s aim was to put itself on a level playing field with the likes of luxury heavyweights Prada and Fendi. This desire, coupled with rising leather prices and quality improvements have added up to Mulberry’s best-selling Alexa satchel retailing at \u00a31,100 – a 60 per cent hike from its 2010 launch price of \u00a3695.<\/p>\n
While \u00a3495 for a compact shoulder bag represents a significant reduction for Mulberry, it doesn’t take the brand close to the designer ‘entry-point’ category offered by the likes of Marc by Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors and Coach, all of whom offer accessible and functional designer handbags for less than \u00a3300. But with its range of quirky backpacks designed in collaboration with 21-year-old British model Cara Delevingne priced from \u00a3795 to \u00a32,500, it’s no bad idea to offer something for its younger, less cash-rich, demographic happy to sell their right arm in order to hang a Mulberry on their left.<\/p>\n