Monthly Archives: March 2010

Dolce & Gabbana Miss Ice Tote

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Two things drew my attention to this bag: the unusual simple design and the unusual price point for a Dolce & Gabbana. Not that I think Dolce & Gabbana bags should worth more than this but they are generally pricey and too fashionable for my classic taste. This tote is made entirely of leather, very understated with only a D-ring to give away (or perhaps misleads as a Dior bag instead) and opens to the bran’s iconic leopard prints. As mentioned, the original price is USD950 and at bluefly.com, it is now USD760 only! Not many left so do not wait too long.

Image is courtesy of bluefly

YSL ‘The Roady’ Large Hobo

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The shape of this YSL hobo is overly classic bordering boring but the leather pleats around the bag add some volume and dimensions making the bag superbly elegant with a feminine touch at the same time. This proves you do not need to invent something new all the time. If properly executed, just adding some details on a classic design will result in a brand new beautiful creation altogether. Get this YSL Hobo from bluefly.com for USD1,480.

Image is courtesy of bluefly

Franzi 1864 Bags

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Fron left: Shopping Grande at EUR790 and Bugatti Small at EUR590

One of the most exciting things about Italy is the fact that despite being the birth land to the world’s biggest leather and fashion houses today such as Gucci, Prada and Fendi, the country still has numerous less-known brands with century-old heritage and history, yet to be discovered by purseholics around the world. Franzi comes across to be something like the Italian Goyard.

The story of the Franzi family began more than a hundred years ago, in 1840, when Rocco Franzi decided to move to Milan and started a small business specialized in the creation of bags and suitcases, located only a few steps from the Cathedral, fully interpreting the spirit of change and deliverance of that time. The first shop in Milan was followed by shops in Rome, Genoa and Vienna. Thanks to the exquisite quality of its manufactured leather goods, it became Official Purveyor to the Royal Household of Savoy and Greece, to Her Majesty the King of Egypt and to the Imperial Royal Household of Austria.

Visit http://www.franzi1864.eu/shop-online/english/ to shop online.

Images are courtesy of Franzi

Be & D Jefferson Leather Hobo

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Understated yet easily recognizable is what Be & D bags are. This is a beautiful new design from the American luxury bag designer and for a reason is called the Jefferson. Tribute to the founding father of the nation? Grab this bag from Saks for USD895. The bag is made in the USA.

Image is courtesy of Saks

Jessica Alba with Prada Spazzolato Tote

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Love it or hate it? Jessica Alba seems to love the latest Prada tote. I am not a big fan as I think the bag is overly trendy and will be off season as soon as the Summer is over. Anyway, splurging USD2,395 for a bag to be worn a few times in a season should not be a big problem for Jessica Alba. Or, she might have got it for free from Prada to begin with.

Image is courtesy of bagthatstyle.com

Jimmy Choo Cecile woven-leather bag

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My sisters have been looking for the perfect clutch bags for an upcoming wedding dinner. The thing about clutch bags is that they always post you with a dilemma. The bag is used only once in a while and you can’t keep using one clutch bag all the time, can you? So is it worth investing in an expensive clutch bag? One solution to balance up the values is to find a classic yet outstanding design to extend the mileage. As for quantity, ideally, you should have one in black, one in white and one or two in unusual colors for afternoon parties. This Jimmy Choo Cecile clutch is a prototype of what you should look for in a white clutch. Unfortunately, the price is pretty expensive at USD1,495 at net-a-porter.

Image is courtesy of net-a-porter

Hermes Kelly Studded for Fall 2010

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Someone help me understand because I couldn’t – What is the point of designing a beautiful and coveted bag and put it on a runway when it is mostly not available at the stores when most people with money want to buy it? Look at this updated Hermes Kelly and how gorgeous and current it looks with the studs all over. I would have rushed to the store and get one but I couldn’t because even if I have the money in cash, I have to wait for years or to pay my dues to Hermes before I could start landing my hand on the prestigious Birkins and such Kellys.

I think the notion that those bags were so prestigious and being less accessible to most people (even the ones with money) were cool but the novelty has somehow run off and in the world today, why can’t Hermes just fulfill the needs of the people who could pay the bags they want right there and then? Wait list of 6 months is tolerable but anything above that, I would rather walk over to the Bottega or Loewe store next door where my money is good today and I get to be treated as a customer.

What a nice Kelly bag featured here from Hermes Fall 2010 Paris show but I bet you need to wait for a long long time to buy one unless you were a wife of a soccer star, star of your own reality show or have splurged enough money on Hermes scarves.

Image is courtesy of style.com

Tod’s Shade Tote

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The Tod’s shade tote might be one of the most underrated bags which you should start paying a serious consideration to starting now. Made entirely of buttery soft leather, the Shade is now one of Tod’s iconic styles, classic, convenient and fuss-free, including hardware-free which makes this bag lightweight and perfect as a daily bag. For the Summer, Tod’s has reissued the Shade in lust-worthy colors such as this bright orange and electric blue. At USD1,095, it is a loss for you if you do not consider this one as a must-have.

Image is courtesy of Saks

Leighton Meester with Foley + Corinna Jet Setter Jr Tote

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Not exactly a new kid on the block in the Manhattan and New York fashion scene, the Foley + Corrina bags have been spotted a few times in the Gossip Girl scenes. Spotted again here in the arm of Leighton Meester’s Blair Waldorf is the Jet Setter Jr tote in beautiful blue color. At USD500 a pop, fashion lovers surely have a big problem staying away from their bags.

Foley + Corrina bags are available at shopbop.com

Image is courtesy of people.com

Rebecca Minkoff Lace Morning After Mini Bag

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The latest spin-off of the Rebecca Minkoff’s most iconic bag come in some lacey prints. I like the idea but the execution feels a little cheap compared to the real lace-over-leather that Prada did a few seasons back Then again, the price is only 10% of the Prada. If you like it, shop at shopbop for USD325.

Image is courtesy of shopbop