KUANGTU HANDBAGS editorial team
At a glance
Saint Laurent was founded in 1961 by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé; Saint Laurent Rive Gauche followed in 1966 as a luxury ready-to-wear line. Those dates explain the house’s fashion history, not the launch of every bag carrying its name. For a handbag shortlist, compare the opening and carrying arrangement of an envelope flap with those of a shopping tote before choosing by logo or colour.
What 1961 and Rive Gauche 1966 actually refer to
Kering’s Saint Laurent history identifies 1961 as the house’s founding by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé. It identifies 1966 with Saint Laurent Rive Gauche, the luxury ready-to-wear line. A founding date and a clothing-line milestone answer different questions from the date of a particular handbag.
If a listing includes Rive Gauche, retain the full product name and its own reference code. The historical 1966 milestone alone cannot identify the bag’s fabric, dimensions, season or manufacturing date. This distinction is useful when a search mixes house histories with current tote listings.
Le smoking adds context, not a handbag specification
The same official history places le smoking, the women’s tuxedo, in 1966. It is a concrete example of the house’s work with tailoring and dress codes. It does not establish that a present-day envelope bag or chain tote descends from one specific jacket or collection.
For styling, you can compare a sharply pointed flap with a softer rectangular body against the clothes you wear most. That is a visual choice based on the offered item. Treat claims such as archival, original or from a named runway year as separate statements requiring item-specific evidence.
An envelope flap gives you a clear front silhouette
The Cassandra-named KU-0D6541C7 reference shows triangular flaps, textured surfaces and front letter motifs, with black, ivory and taupe choices. Its supplier records list leather and 20 cm or 26 cm options. Those single-number options are not a complete width, height and depth specification.
A flap must be lifted to reach the main opening, so consider how you use a phone, wallet and keys throughout the day. Ask for the opened bag and the supplied strap configuration for your selected colour and size. The front photograph cannot show the usable compartment or establish crossbody fit.
A shopping tote asks different practical questions
The Niki Shopping reference KU-75692903 has a soft rectangular body and chain straps in black and ivory. Its supplier-listed exterior dimensions are 33 cm wide, 27 cm high and 11.5 cm deep. The description mentions a magnetic top and internal dividers; these are supplier statements, not details verified by the house-history source.
For a workday shortlist, compare your largest item with the opening and each divided compartment, then check the chain’s hanging drop over your usual coat. A 33 cm exterior width does not guarantee that a laptop will pass through the top or sit flat inside. Request the selected version’s interior before making that decision.
Build a shortlist around access, then colour
Choose the envelope reference if its pointed front and flap access suit the items you carry; investigate the tote when you need to compare a wider top opening and divided storage. Neither example has been physically tested here, so weight, loaded comfort and internal fit remain questions for the exact item.
Include KU-0D6541C7 with its colour and 20 cm or 26 cm option, or KU-75692903 with its colour, in an enquiry. Both references retain an unverified identity notice. The separate Niki size guide covers another question—Baby, Medium and Large naming—and should not be used to overwrite this shopping tote’s recorded measurements.
Catalogue references to compare
These photographs and records are separate from the official brand sources. Supplier-listed specifications do not authenticate an item or confirm an exact match to a retail model.
Saint Laurent Cassandra Envelope Bag in Leather — Black, Ivory and Taupe OptionsSKU KU-0D6541C7 · Supplier-listed: 20 cm / 26 cmBrand identity not independently authenticatedView photographs & item details →
Saint Laurent Niki Shopping Tote in Leather — Black and Ivory OptionsSKU KU-75692903 · Supplier-listed: width 33 cm × height 27 cm × depth 11.5 cmBrand identity not independently authenticatedView photographs & item details →Questions & answers
When was Saint Laurent founded?
Kering’s history dates the house to 1961 and names Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé as its founders.
Does Rive Gauche 1966 date a particular tote?
No. The verified milestone concerns the ready-to-wear line. A bag needs its own model and date evidence.
Are the 20 cm and 26 cm envelope options complete dimensions?
No. They are supplier size labels. Ask for width, height, depth and the opening of the selected option.
Does the Niki Shopping reference fit a laptop?
Its recorded exterior is 33 × 27 × 11.5 cm, but the usable opening and internal dividers need checking against the exact laptop and case.
Continue exploring
- How to Measure a Handbag for Wholesale Orders
- Saint Laurent Niki Baby vs Medium vs Large: a size guide
- Saint Laurent-named catalogue references
Prepare a wholesale enquiry
Use the catalogue SKU, selected option and quantity in your brief, then add your delivery country and the details you need confirmed. Wholesale orders start from 5 pieces; the permitted mix, samples and shipping are confirmed in the quote.
Wholesale ordering: minimum quantity, samples and quote stepsSources & scope
Kering’s house-history body and timeline were read on 25 September 2026. Historical dates are not assigned to the supplier bags. Catalogue photographs and recorded supplier fields were checked separately; no authentication, material test or packing test is implied.