By Jessica Ye (Jessica Yap)
There is a particular kind of thrill in seeing a design from the archives prove its worth all over again. The house of Alexander McQueen has always understood that the most compelling shapes are the ones that demand a bit of thought, and the return of the Manta is a quiet reminder of that fact.
I remember the first time I saw the original De Manta. It was part of the Spring/Summer 2010 “Plato’s Atlantis” collection, a show that felt less like a runway and more like a glimpse into a strange, beautiful future. The bag was a piece of wearable origami, inspired by the fluid wings of a manta ray. It didn’t rely on heavy hardware or a loud logo to be noticed; it relied on its own bones.
Now, under the creative direction of Seán McGirr, the house has brought it back with a subtle but definitive shift. Dropping the “De” from the title makes the new Manta feel more urgent and less formal. The signature folded magnetic corners are still there, allowing the leather to snap into that sharp, hexagonal silhouette that feels so satisfying to hold. It is a bag that transforms with you, shifting its shape based on the weight of the day.
This move to a simpler name suggests that the design has moved past being a seasonal novelty. By focusing on the purity of the fold, McGirr has kept the soul of the original while making it feel entirely right for right now. It is a design for those who value the architecture of an object over the noise of a fleeting trend.
The Manta isn’t just a reissue for the sake of nostalgia. It is proof that when a design is born from a genuine vision, it never really goes out of style.
Where to find the Manta
The Manta collection is currently available in Singapore for those looking to secure this updated icon. The latest iterations, from the classic black leather to the seasonal printed versions, are stocked at the Alexander McQueen boutiques in ION Orchard and The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.
The collection can also be found on the Alexander McQueen digital store, with the Manta bag starting from S$2,280 and the larger Maxi variations priced up to S$3,260.
