For him: Bottega Veneta Intrecciato VN Billfold Wallet, Price is USD440, Bottega Veneta
For her: Bottega Veneta Shades, Price is USD395, Bottega Veneta
For him: Bottega Veneta Intrecciato Antique Silver Cufflinks, Price is USD510, Bottega Veneta
Images are courtesy of Bottega Veneta
Bottega Veneta never fails to impress me with its attention to details, workmanship and creativity season after season. Aside from lust-worthy materials, aren’t those the things you would expect from paying a few grands for a bag? This bag is simply irresistible. Not just because of the color combo, which reminds me of strawberry milk candies (yummeyyyy!!) but also due to the complication of the intrecciato work put onto it. The lambskin stripes are braided with linen stripes before they eventually got woven together to form the body of the bag. Now, who would have thought of that and expected the result to be this delicious? Price is USD6,850, which is very steep but if you count the amount of work put onto it, it somehow feels justifiable.
Image is courtesy of Bergdorf Goodman
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
Bottega Veneta has been steadily rising up on my favorite list and I am sure you could easily see why from their upcoming Spring/Summer 2012 collection alone. I certainly love the croc Roma bag and the green croc clutch to death. What a beautiful exotic leather selection to lust after.
Images are courtesy of vogue.com
I am always amazed with how Bottega Veneta updates its classic signature wove season after season and gives it a unique twist in every single one of its new version. The fringes, which inspiration might have come from the birds nest is the latest that the house has offered. Bottega has increasingly diversified its looks with more color and texture choices and expanded its clientele along the process. Lucky for us, for Bottega Veneta, the quality of its workmanship if of utmost importance so even if the fringes on this bag look all over the place, we could always rest assured that every single piece of the leather falls into its right place. Price of this bag is USD4,850. Steep, I know, but you don’t see this kind of workmanship on every single designer bag nowadays. It is available in black, orange and this gorgeous pink.
Image is courtesy of Neiman Marcus
The Bottega Veneta Intrecciateo Nappa Bracelet is one of the classic items of the house now. I can’t help myself and bought one in green eventually. Price starts from USD180 for the single strand and USD210 for the double strands.
Image is courtesy of Bottega Veneta
Bottega Veneta seems to have followed the success formula of Hermes and Balenciaga and that is to issue their iconic bags in irresistible colors season after season. One of Bottega’s classic bags is the convertible tote which I have been contemplating for a while now. Fresh from its Fall/Winter 2011 sneak peak collection, this Topaz color is a show stopper. Just have a good look at the picture above. I am not sure I would be able to pull off this color. After all, it is so rich and haunting but it is absolutely gorgeous! Price is USD3,850.
Image is courtesy of Bottega Veneta
It is officially summer although I don’t really need any reminder given the weather in Singapore. In some other parts of the world, however, it is pieces like this classic Bottega hobo bag in beautiful shade of yellow that defines the season. Love it in the classic and even more in this unbeatable shade. Price is USD2,000 and I think it will be money well spent.
Image is courtesy of Saks
Green is my favorite of colors. Isn’t this bag divine? USD2,450 from Neiman Marcus.
Image is courtesy of Neiman Marcus
Dear Purseholic
I have been using my Hermes Birkin 35 and Kelly 35 interchangeably for work for about 2-3 years now and have not been buying a new work bag ever since. The reason I bought the two bags to begin with is mainly because they are logo-free, beautiful and iconic. I am a corporate lawyer and a Purseholic but over the years, I have been very selective with my purchases. The only bags I have bought recently was the YSL Woody Washed bag in January after reading your post. I am now ready for another work bag, not more than five grands. Appreciate your recommendation.
Dianne, NYC
Hi Dianne
One of the most beautiful and underrated but iconic bags suitable for a working woman is the Bottega Veneta Roma. It is one of the house’s classic offerings and is perfect for work due to its design. There are in fact three compartments to this bag plus another zip compartment for your important papers. This bag is no Hermes Birkin and Kelly in term prestige but it is a very strong alternative to the heavyweight Birkin and Kelly. The price of this bag is USD3,080, which is way below your five grands budget. Available at net-a-porter.com.
Another alternative worth considering is Victoria Beckham textured leather bag. The bag shares the same rigid structure as your Hermes bags, very well executed and put together. Coming from a new player, it gives a good contrast to your existing collection, which consists mainly of bags from the classic players but the design of this bag is a classic so it is meant for keeping. The price of this bag is USD3,500, also well below your budget and available at net-a-porter.com.
Lastly, from Reed Krakoff, the beautiful python gym top handle bag I just posted a few days back. Priced at USD2,790, it is a good investment piece, worth serious consideration too.
Hope at least one (or two) of these pieces suit your taste and happy handbag shopping!
PS: write to us at askme@purseholic.com
J Purseholic
Images are courtesy of net-a-porter.com