Ain’t this stunning? Bottega Veneta Brick bag has stolen my attention since it first came out but the python version in this stone color just took my breathe away. At this size, made entirely of python skin and lined with suede, the price tag of GBP4,170 is in my honest opinion, easily justifiable.
Image is courtesy of Bottega Veneta
I have been thinking about getting myself the PS1 bag in extra large size for a few months now. The bag is now iconic, it is highly functional and there at least three different ways of wearing it and all of them do look cool! While the standard leather version in various colors look really enticing, this brushed python version is simply show-stopping. Price is GBP3,455, it is pricey and is truly something to lust after for a while.
Image is courtesy of net-a-porter.com
Bags from Carlos Falchi rarely fails to impress,especially when it is kept simple and classic like this frame satchel. This bag does resemble the iconic Tod’s D bag and it is a good thing since the D bag is a huge commercial and critical hit. I like the fact that the bag is made entirely of python skin with suede lining, highly functional and looking classy without any single visible logo outside. Carlos was a big name in It Bags trend back in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Now his bags look more classic, luxurious material then trendy pieces. This baby is priced very neatly at USD1,595 at Saks.com. Yes, I love it.
Image is courtesy of Saks
Hi Purseholic
I would like to have your opinion on the Ralph Lauren Ricky Crocodile Bag. I really like the one in brown but some of my friends advised me against it as it looks too much like the Hermes Birkin. Is it a bag you will buy?
Madeline, DC
Hi Madeline
There are two types of Hermes Birkin look-alike; the rare good ones and the lousy ones. The Ricky happens to fall into the category of the rare good ones. The Hermes Birkin bag is indeed a modified version of the HAC, which was inspired by vintage saddle carriers. The design of RL Ricky was inspired by vintage Cooper saddle carriers so there is no denying there is a close resemblance and one can always correctly argue that Ralph had indeed copied the Birkin design to capture the left-over market (aka the people who can not get the Birkins. Then again, nowadays, if you have the money, why can’t you?). If this bothers you, I suggest, do not buy the Ricky and put your money on an Hermes Birkin in normal leather or double/triple it for the croc version instead.
If, however, you can get pass the argument above, look at the bag by itself and the legacy of the house of Ralph Lauren, I suggest you get it now before the price increases furthermore. At USD16,995, there is no way you would get an Italy-made, full croc skin bag from a respected designer like RL. Besides, RL is now the only thing America has to rival European luxury giants like Prada, Gucci, Chanel, Dior and to some extent, Hermes itself. Being an American, you should be proud to wear a RL bag, especially one that is so tastefully made.
Your friends might argue and put their opinion across but when you place your croc Ricky in front of them, they could not help by be wowed. Trust me since I had been there and converted once I have seen, touched and smelled one. The Ricky croc is a real deal.
J Purseholic
Write to us at askme@purseholic.com
Image is courtesy of Ralph Lauren Collection
Sometimes only one bag is needed to restore your faith in the industry and for me after weeks of low, this Jil Sander python bag brought me back to life. I am a big fan of structure bags, especially in classic shapes like this one and the fact that it is made fully of hot red python leather simply makes it a must-have now and forever. The price is, IMO, pretty reasonable at EUR2,641.17. Pre-order at luisaviaroma.com now and expect to have it by 30 September 2011.
Image is courtesy of luisaviaroma.com
Growing up in a country like Indonesia where stingray skin is abundant automatically makes me disregard it as an exotic skin. Truth to be told, the natural texture of stingray skin is as nice as lizard or snakeskin and it is indeed tougher and thicker too. Despite its beauty, too much of stingray skin on one bag can be overwhelming making it looking heavy and tiring. This Fendi Silvana bag showcases the perfect use of stingray skin, subtly combined with buffalo skin, which texture is quite similar but looking and feeling softer. Price of this baby is USD3,070 and is available for pre-order at Saks.com.
Image is courtesy of Saks
Mark my words: Chanel bags in exotic skin are indeed rarer commodities than Hermes Birkins in Crocodylus Porosus. Here are two of my favorite Chanel bags in perfect matt black croco skin for the Reissue flap and grey snakeskin for the Cert tote respectively. They are classic, luxurious, gorgeous and you just don’t see them that often in person, which means super unique. Both pieces are super highly collectible pieces from the Fall/Winter 2011 collection.
I don’t have the exact prices for both pieces and they are not even be available in most countries but my conservative estimation is USD30,000 for the croc flap bag and USD15,000 for the snakeskin Cerf Tote plus a few months of wait list.
Images are courtesy of Chanel
A good friend of mine introduced me to this beautiful brand lately and I could not stop thinking about the Callisto bag he recently got from Paris. Originally known as the OEM manufacturer of exotic skin watch straps for watches like Gucci and Panerai, Camille Fournet has outgrown its heritage and is producing leather goods with exceptional quality and craftsmanship worth our money.
I am smitten by the Callisto 35 bag in full python skin in this natural color like the one he had bought. The lining of the bag is made entirely of goatskin and every inch of this bag is very Hermes-esque. The price on its French “La Boutique En Ligne” (online store) is EUR1,600 (before taxes). The picture here does not do justice of this bag in real person. I will try to post the real picture taken with my friend’s bag.
Check out the mouth-watering small leather goods in alligator skin too!
Image is courtesy of Camille Fournet
When you have a piece of skin python in beautiful color like this as the material, there is no wonder the end product in the form of a bag could end up this beautiful. Admittedly the design of the bag is not really that original (kinda like a briefcase, if you ask me). Price is around SGD5,000, which is OK for a python bag but now my big question is – if you have five grands to spend on a python bag, would you spend it on this Prada or the custom-made Tod’s D-bag I featured last week? Hmm…
Image is courtesy of Saks
I am still swooning over Burberry bags so pardon me for the repeated posts on Burberry for the past one week. You should however understand why this one has to be featured. Look at this classic inspired briefcase. They just do not make men bags like this anymore nowadays, especially in full alligator skin. Price is SGD35,995. Yes, it is overpriced even for a bag of this caliber of class and beauty.
Images are courtesy of Burberry