July 2009 archive
Pharrell Williams’ purple croc HAC might be one of the most expensive bags i dun like. There is one thing about being over-the-top glam but being just OVER is another. Did Hermes decide to make the bag just because Williams is an ultra famous and rich hip hop star? I hope not. The bag is more like a HAC-look-alike than a real HAC, except that it is real and must have cost a bomb to commoners. Anyway, if you happen to be hunting for Hermes Birkin 50 in dark blue (shade is similar to the picture i featured above, except that the picture is size 30), there is one available in the Takashimaya Singapore store now. Price? Just SGD17,400. It is considered reasonable without the wait-list. I think someone who had placed the order dropped it. Would you be kind enough to “adopt” it? Believe me, if moolah is not an issue, i will take the dark blue Birkin in much more dignified calf than Williams’ purple croc anytime. Contact Fandi at Hermes Takashimaya at (65)67355228.
PS: Sorry, i was too distracted by another bag that i forgot to take picture of the Birkin 50
Image is Hermes 30 in Togo
Finally i visited ION Orchard yesterday and while the interior design and arrangement of the mall is pretty much a let-down mainly due to its small walking space and big crowds, the shops are exciting and some are long due to arrive in Singapore. Taking the mall front are Prada, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Dolce & Gabbana, Cartier and Giorgio Armani and once inside, we have Valentino, Ferragamo, YSL, Dquared (first in Singapore), Car Shoe, Miu Miu, Zegna, Bally and many more on the first level. On the second level, Church’s and Herve Leger are due for opening. Burberry’s store is impressive and big, next to the Harry Winston and Boucheron. Up to the third level we have Longchamp, Furla and 6Five Barcode which carries about 20 brands including Costume National, Galliano, MCM, Just Cavalli and Roccobarocco. Overall, the mall is a nice addition to Singapore’s beloved Orchard Road but the lack of a big upscale department store such as Harvey Nichols or Barneys and the small walking space between shops on the first and second floor is making the mall itself less impressive than its awesome exterior.
Never before in Singapore a shopping mall opening attracted so much interest from international shoppers, media and brand names. Then again, this is the best thing that has happened to Orchard Road over the past decade. ION Orchard is exactly what Singapore Orchard Road desperately needed to reclaim its status as one of the most loved shopping belt in Asia. After Louis Vuitton opening its door to the biggest Vuitton store in the region on 2 July 2009, Burberry just did the same earlier this week and launched a highly limited-edition collection of exotic products to commemorate the store opening. The collection consists of handbags, wallets, cardholders and belts with prices started from SGD400 for cardholders and SGD1,985 for handbags. Unlike Vuitton’s ION collection which dissapointingly consisted only of one bag, the Burberry’s ION collection indeed satisfied my cravings and left me wanting them badly. Bad news is, each piece is limited to only like 3 pieces. If you like it, you’ve got to jump. I am so going to ION tomorrow.
Images are courtesy of Burberry
White colors are everywhere in Gucci Men Spring 2010 runway and i am thrilled as it is my favorite color to wear. Then again, Frida Giannini is not one who is afraid of colors, not even dark shades for Spring / Summer collection and so we began seeing grey, turning dark blue and black by the 25th look. I am also happy to see that the man bag collection for the next season is generally more usable compared to the Fall 2009 collection. The Gucci signature GG fabric is nowhere to be seen on the runway. Instead, Frida opted for white canvas with leather trims for her bags (grey, black, blue and yellow colors). I am loving the blue leather duffel which is somewhat similar to Louis Vuitton SC bag, the croc hobo bag in grey and of course the classic white horsebit loafers which i might just end up treating myself to a pair next year.
Images are courtesy of style.com
I have been “feeling” Balenciaga motorcycle bags (Work and Weekender) very strongly recently. Perhaps it is in line with me embracing my “rock” side which goes from music choices to clothing style and attitude (ehem…) lately and Balenciaga motorcycle bag’s rugged and non-pretentious personality definitely fits the bill like a key to its lock. Anyway, the bag has become a classic so it is a worthy “investment”. I did not manage to get my Gucci treat i mentioned last week but i am seriously contemplating treating myself to my first Balenciaga bag. Work or Weekender? I need to try out the size this weekend. Meanwhile, the color choices for Fall 2009 are very very indulging and torturing at the same time. Balenciaga issues the bags in same design but unique colors, exclusive to the season (name it differently from season to season too) which makes it more desirable to collect. These are just few of my favourites. Work starts from USD1,595 while Weekender from USD1,695. Be still my crying heart….
From left top, clockwise: Autumn, Mandarin, Storm and Ruby Red.
If you like Balenciaga bags, check http://www.hgbagsonline.com out. They have stocks at discounted prices from time to time. Email Erica at hgbags@gmail.com for queries. She is very helpful. Happy guilt-free shopping!
Images are courtesy of Balenciaga
Zagliani is now best known for its botoxed exotic skin puffy bags but before Mauro Orietti-Carella injected new life to the company, the house of Zagliani had been known as a luxurious Italian handbag maker. At one point of time, the house even made bags for other houses such as Marc Jacobs, Donna Karan and Armani. With its staple bag high on the wait and wish list of many around the world today, Zagliani brand is one of the most under-exposed yet highly coveted. Indeed ever since we did the first post on Zagliani bag, we have received a few queries asking whether they make man bags. Well, i am pleased to find out that they indeed do but it is nowehere similar to what the puffy totes look like. The Zagliani Argentina bag is manly, modern and classy. Made entirely out of deer skin (is deer skin still considered exotic?), the bag is truly handsome in all Italian ways. I am a fan and i can’t wait to see more man bags to be rolled by the house. Get this from luisaviaroma.com for Euro1,354.17.
Image is courtesy of luisaviaroma.com
Take this cue from me: Everything and anything studded will be HUGE soon for Fall and Winter 2009, they will be everywhere from bags, dresses, coats, belts to shoes and jewelries! Among the line-ups are studded bags from Bally and Be&D. Both bags are very cool, very rocker chic but if you are just getting one, which one will be the one to go? Bally studded bag (left) is available for pre-order via luisaviaroma.com for Euro1,300 while Be&D Garbo studded bag (right) is currently available (in black, purple and beige) for Euro1,053.3.
Images are courtesy of luisaviaroma.com
