Gucci introduced the original version — then called the Constance — in the 1950s. When Jacqueline Kennedy was photographed carrying it repeatedly throughout the 1960s, Gucci renamed it in her honour. The Jackie has been relaunched and reinterpreted many times, most recently in 2020 under Alessandro Michele's directorship, when a fresh '1961' iteration made it newly desirable.
The piston closure — a semicircular metal clasp that slides to open — is the Jackie's most distinctive hardware detail and is instantly recognisable. The bag's soft, slouchy construction means it conforms to what's inside it, getting more characterful with use.
The 1961 Relaunch
Alessandro Michele's 2020 relaunch positioned the Jackie as a noughties-referencing fashion statement, appearing on the Gucci runway in multiple sizes and treatments. The 1961 version uses softer leather than earlier iterations and comes in Mini, Small, and Large — with the Mini and Small being most popular with contemporary collectors.