Month: January 2023

Every big fashion brand has an idealized woman you can probably conjure up in your mind, but of all of them, being a Chloé girl seems the most appealing to me. The brand makes clothes that look both comfortable and romantic, and effortlessness is an underappreciated aesthetic quality. Chloé’s bags and shoes are similarly elegant and functional, and the brand’s new fall 2016 lookbook does a stunning job illustrating just how pleasurable it would be to live in the Chloé world.

The selection of bags represented in the lookbook is a combination of both new options, like the Lexa satchel and Indy Bag, as well as brand standards in new versions, like the Drew and Faye carry Bags. They’re all finishing in a soft, neutral palette and lots of mix leather and suede for a textural flourish.

Check out the full lookbook, including jewelry and shoes, below; an ever-growing selection of these bags can be pre-ordered now by means of merchants like Neiman Marcus, Saks and Nordstrom.

yesterday was day 5 of new York fashion Week, as well as I can honestly state that as the days development as well as Vlad has a lot more bag shots to share, I autumn in like with purses around again. Seeing a bag in a store is one thing, however seeing it come to life on a person ups the ante completely.

Being nearly 8 months pregnant, none of my clothes fit, not even my shoes or rings, however my purses still in shape as well as it’s one of the reasons I like them so much. A excellent bag makes an outfit, however it likewise saves you when you just don’t have the ideal thing to wear as well. as well as when you do have the ideal thing to wear, which is the situation for the majority of show-goers of fashion week, the end result is lovely bags as well as remarkable attire as we saw yesterday. inspect out the very best bags Vlad identified during Day 5 below!

Check out day 1-3 as well as day 4 here.

Prada Pionnière leather Saddle Bag

Proenza Schouler Hava Whipstitched leather Chain carry Bag

Louis Vuitton Alma PM Bag

Chanel Chevron Flap Bag

Gucci interlocking carry Bag

Moschino The Powerpuff women Canteen Crossbody Bag

Altuzarra Ghianda Knot little Saddle Bag

Proenza Schouler Hava top Handle-Leather Satchel, Fendi By The method little embellished Floral-Appliquéd leather carry Bag

Proenza Schouler Hava Whipstitched leather Chain carry Bag

Proenza Schouler PS1 Perforated leather Satchel

Dior Diorama Bag, Gucci Dionysus GG Blooms medium carry Bag

Chanel kid Bag

Saint Laurent Betty carry Bag

Gucci Dionysus Cubic Python carry Bag

Chanel Flap Bag

Alexander McQueen Satin Knuckle Box Clutch

Céline Phantom Luggage carry

Fendi 2Jours Textured-Leather Shopper

Chanel Flap Bag, Bottega Veneta Python Knot hold Bag

Chanel Chevron Flap Bag

Céline Belt Bag

Chanel Flap Bag, Chanel Flap Bag

Hermès Evelyne Bag

Not as well long ago, I composed a publish about exactly how much I don’t like colored python bags. I was truly specific that that’s exactly how I felt, as well as I didn’t believe twice about it. Well, since that’s just exactly how I am, I seem to have handled to show myself wrong. I really, truly like the Lauren Merkin Tess painted Minibag.

I’ve seen other multicolored python bags that I liked because then also – it was like as soon as I put that sentiment out into the world, the world set its sights on proving that I’m an idiot. Normally, I would feel a bit strange about that, however if it implies that I keep seeing adorable bags then I wouldn’t modification things for the world.

I don’t understand about you, however when the weather condition gets hot, I tend to utilize progressively smaller bags. Summers right here are so nasty as well as sticky that the believed of carrying around a huge sack of leather as well as metal next to my skin just isn’t appetizing or fascinating to me when temperatures increase above 80 degrees, as they did yesterday for the very first time because last summer.

That, integrated with my obviously newfound affinity for multicolor python, has lead me to my like for this bag in particular. It’s just huge sufficient to hold all your everyday junk without being bulky or frustrating to carry, as well as who doesn’t want a bit injection of color during the summer? I’m not a significant fan of embossed exotics, however for a adorable style at a fairly low price, I’m prepared to online with the bag’s material. certainly it’s not an daily bag, however I might most likely discover a time to bring it at least when a week. purchase with Bloomingdale’s for $325.

The MICHAEL Michael Kors Charlton Crossbody Bag has a message for all of you, as well as it goes something like this: “LOOK AT MAH BUCKLLLLLE.” Ok, so, technically it’s not a buckle, it’s a pushlock, however because purses aren’t sentient beings, I hope you’ll forgive it for utilizing the wrong word.

Despite (and perhaps since of?) the outsized pushlock, this bit bag goes rather a long method – as well as for a cost well south of $200, this is one more excellent choice for those who have yet to purchase into the minibag trend.

As these bit bags ended up being much more as well as much more popular, they’re cropping up in styles other than the neo-bohemian look that started the trend. this in specific seems truly traditional – the leather is thick, the building is what you’d expect of a larger-scale bag, as well as even the outsized hardware is conventional in shape.

Because of the style, this bag would be a excellent method for somebody with non-trendy tastes to integrate a extremely “now” shape into her wardrobe. It would offer an chance for a pop of color; not only does this bag are available in the lovely cranberry shade imagined here, however there’s likewise a version in color-of-the-season turquoise. purchase with Nordstrom for $128.

Salvatore Ferragamo is one of Italy’s most historical luxury brands, with roots dating back to the 1920s. founded by Italian immigrant Salvatore Ferragamo, who made a name for himself as a shoemaker in the united states before returning to his native Italy to continue his burgeoning shoe business, the brand is known for its Italian heritage and artisanal craftsmanship.

The Beginning

Settling in stunning Florence, Italy, Mr. Ferragamo continued to grow his business, earning the nickname “shoemaker to the stars”. Eventually, the Salvatore Ferragamo brand had become a fully-run family business, with his daughter designing a new RTW line and his wife, Wanda, taking charge of the brand following Mr. Ferragmo’s death in 1960. However, it wasn’t until the late 1960s that the brand extended its offerings to include handbags. though the bags were initially designed to complement the rest of Ferragmo’s offerings, they became increasingly more significant for the brand, becoming coveted items in their own right.

An article preserved in the Salvatore Ferragamo Archives, dated 1969, via Ferragamo

Ferragamo Today

Today, the Ferragmo family is still the company’s main shareholder, remaining at the helm of everything the brand does, and the brand’s storied house codes remain an integral part of modern collections. From the iconic Ferragamo Gancini emblem, which was inspired by the iron gates of Palazzo Spini Feroni in Florence and first used over half a century ago, to the brand’s storied Vara Bow, history remains a big part of the brand’s DNA. but these days, we’ve seen that it is possible for a brand to stay true to its core yet reinvent itself, and recent news of a company shakeup indicates change is on the horizon, and it’s time.

The Time to change is Now

In March of this year, it was announced that creative director Paul Andrew would be departing the brand after five years. Andrew officially left his post in May, and a successor has yet to be announced. The current design role has since been taken over by existing in-house teams, leaving the future of the Ferragmo brand a mystery, for now.

While news of the departure was speculated earlier in the year, following a tough financial year in 2020 due to the pandemic, the announcement came amidst even more rumors surrounding a shakeup of the company’s board. As fashion moves away from traditional marketing instead now focusing on the generation that’s grown up in the digital age, many brands have struggled to find their footing, and for me, Ferragmo is one of them.

Despite its rich history, attention to detail, and solid offerings, the brand seems to struggle to find its niche, and modernization of sorts would be extremely useful in creating a broader consumer interest. With a heritage brand with a name like Ferragamo and a distinction for its quality and craftsmanship, the right changemaker could make all the difference in reviving the brand, whose offerings are solid but somehow still miss the mark, falling short of standing out amongst a vast sea of competitors. only time will tell what’s next for Ferragamo, but with the right next steps, the possibilities are endless.

The Fendi Peekaboo Bag has had a somewhat unusual trajectory. After its debut in 2009, it experienced the normal rise and fall of popularity that almost all bags have. Afterward, though, it did something that few bags every do–it came back on a couple years after its initial peak. some time circa 2014, the bag had a quick renaissance, and now it’s again one of Fendi’s most popular models.

It’s possible for a bag to come back, of course, but it’s exceptionally rare that one makes a turnaround that fast; usually, bags that are merely a few years old simply feel tired. It’s a testament to both the Peekaboo’s classic looks and Fendi’s keen eye for handbag reinvention that the bag is sought-after once again, and it also makes the Peekaboo a perfect candidate for our ultimate Bag Guide.

The Fendi Peekaboo Bag

Year Created: spring 2009
Sizes currently Available: Micro, Mini, Regular, Large
Most recent price Increase: spring 2015
Availability: At Fendi boutiques, as well as online at Saks, Barneys, Net-a-Porter, Bergdorf Goodman and Nordstrom.

Sizes and Prices

Fendi Peekaboo Bag – Micro

6″ W x 4.25″ H x 2″ D
Starting Price: $1,550

$1,550 in Lamb leather via Nordstrom, $1,950 in printed leather via Bergdorf Goodman, $2,550 in Python via Nordstrom, $3,350 in Mink fur via Nordstrom

Fendi Peekaboo Bag – Mini
9″ W x 7″ H x 5″ D

Starting Price: $3,100
$3,100 in Calf leather via Net-a-Porter, $3,250 in Shearling via Net-a-Porter, $3,450 in Bicolor leather via Nordstrom, $3,650 in Studded leather via Barneys, $3,950 in embroidered leather via Neiman Marcus, $4,850 in beaded denim via Saks, $4,950 in Python vis Saks, $5,300 in beaded Snakeskin via Saks, $6,800 in Mink fur via Neiman Marcus, $8,300 in Crystal-Embellished embroidery via Neiman Marcus

Fendi Peekaboo Bag – Regular

13.25″ W x 10″ H x 5″ D
Starting Price: $3,450

$3,950 in leather with Suede interior via Bergdorf Goodman, $4,850 in Selleria leather via Barneys, $5,300 in leather with Monster interior via Neiman Marcus, $5,750 in beaded denim via Saks, $5,750 in leather with beaded interior via Bergdorf Goodman, $6,200 in Python via Net-a-Porter

Fendi Peekaboo Bag – Large

15.5″ W x 12.5″ H x 7″ D
Starting Price: $3,950

$3,950 in leather with Microfiber interior via Barneys, $4,250 in felt with Shearling interior via Bergdorf Goodman, $4,500 in Calf leather with faux Suede interior via Net-a-Porter, $4,500 in Lamb with Calf interior via Net-a-Porter, $4,850 in Ombre Patent leather via Saks, $6,000 in Selleria leather via Barneys, $6,350 in leather with Monster interior via Neiman Marcus, $6,750 in animal print Calf Hair via Net-a-Porter, $6,800 in printed leather via Bergdorf Goodman, $6,850 in floral leather via Saks, $7,800 in Python via Saks, $8,200 in Woven Selleria leather via Barneys

Fendi Peekaboo Bag – Men’s

17″ W x 14″ H x 8″ D
Starting Price: $6,550
$6,550 in Selleria leather with Monster Eyes via Saks, $11,500 in Selleria Woven leather via Saks

Size Comparison

Left To Right: Large, Regular, Mini, Micro

Commonly available Materials

Currently available Colors

Available floral Print

Interior

It’s been ten years considering that I started writing about the handbag market at PurseBlog, and in that time, I’ve seen innumerable trends, brands, creative directors and market fluctuations come and go. In modern fashion, the only guarantee is upheaval, but for a lot of of my time in the industry, there’s been at least one other thing you could rely on: the brands with the greatest reaches and the most resources will do the coolest stuff in a consumer-focused market like accessories. Lately, though, I’ve been getting the feeling that isn’t so reputable anymore.

When we sit down to write shopping guides of any kind for PurseBlog, whether it’s functional (like work bags) or trend-based (like, say, hand-carried totes), we technique it like we’re shopping for ourselves: we open up our favorite merchants and scroll through what they have to offer, saving the links for anything we think is interesting enough to include. For nearly a decade, that’s normally indicated a familiar crew of designers gets picked, in addition to a few smaller brands or upstarts to round out the selection. After all, fashion is a globally scaled capitalist endeavor, and the larger and a lot more well-established a company, the a lot more resources it has for trend prediction, material sourcing and design talent. On average, those advantages have historically cause better products, and well established designers also have the added advantage of existing consumer interest that will influence how buyers perceive their new designs. except lately, it’s the indies that we feel a lot of compelled to showcase—so what happened?

Enter Mansur Gavriel and, just as importantly, enter Instagram. Megs and I have written about their influence occasionally over the past year as we’ve seen this dynamic emerge, but it’s hard to overstate just how crucial they both have been in the way the market has moved considering that 2013. before Mansur Gavriel, contemporary bags were mainly marketed to younger women and created with the assumption that they’d normally be interested in casual, fun options. In reality, that indicated a lot of what was available in the $250 to $800 price range was just kind of unsophisticated and sloppy, and it ignored two crucial ideas: that younger women might want or need elegant, polished accessories (either for work or just because they have taste), and that a market existed in which older women might want to get great bags that cost less than $1,000. Those are both undoubtedly true things now, but ignoring them was the animating force of much of the high-end handbag market for years.

When Mansur Gavriel debuted its limited line of basic day bags—including its now-omnipresent bucket Bag—and sold through the initial stock, the brand had only two employees (the founders, Rachel Mansur and Floriana Gavriel) and was being run out of one of their apartments. wait lists stretched for months, in spite of relative quiet from standard fashion media. Online, though, buzz grew deafening, and a large part of that was a result of the founders’ natural facility for telegraphing their aesthetic vision online, including with a significant and tonally unified Instagram presence. (A willingness to send bags to trendy young women with significant Instagram followings of potential customers didn’t hurt, either.) Not only did Mansur Gavriel verify there was a huge, untapped market for sophisticated, style-conscious bags with three-figure price tags, but the brand verified that designers with relatively limited standard resources could set industry-wide trends if the product was good and the aesthetic translated online.

And then, it was off to the proverbial races. Forward-thinking fashion merchants like Moda Operandi and Net-a-Porter started scouting and stocking indie bag designers that fit the Mansur Gavriel mold (small product lineup, tight aesthetic vision, and Insta-ready designs), and plenty have popped up to fill that space: Wandler, Cult Gaia, Simon Miller, STAUD, hunting Season, and Danse Lente, just to name a few. because these brands are smaller and not yet hemmed in by the huge corporate bureaucracy and board expectations of a luxury conglomerate or hedge fund backer, they can typically be a lot more nimble: responding to microtrends, releasing riskier designs, moving a lot more swiftly away from what doesn’t work and toward what does. and because these brands have much smaller manufacturing capacities than big designers, their popular bags tend to be scarce, which creates a sense of urgency that doesn’t exist for bags that are available anywhere in ten colors. It takes months to throw a corporate fashion behemoth into motion to release something new, and anything significant has to be very carefully calculated because of the scale at which it will be made and the investment that will go into promoting it. consumer tastes have sped up, but lots of legacy brands haven’t figured out how to do much about it, beyond releasing existing bags in new colorways.

Most standard fashion brands also have well-documented issues connecting with millennial and Gen Z shoppers, and only a handful do a good job of it now—off the top of my head, that list includes Gucci, Balenciaga and Louis Vuitton a lot of prominently, with Chanel and Hermès both also doing well, albeit by cruising on their monster-sized reputations instead of doing much to actually shift their consumer strategy. For a lot of other brands—and even ones who ideal now have no sales issues—the standard evolution of their accessories lineups can start to feel stale, especially when you consider all that might be gobbled up—were it available—by frenetic attention spans of aesthetic-minded younger generations who find much of their stylistic inspiration online.

Of course, it’s not just the structural vagaries of design and production that play a role in the shifting look of the accessories marketplace; price also plays a big role. In years past, fashion behemoths could offer a handful of small, typically non-leather entry-level bags in the high three figures and expect aspirational consumers to stretch their budgets to get a recognizable piece of the luxury pie. Now, the ways in which something can become recognizable have changed—huge ad campaigns and decades of logo awareness aren’t necessary, as long as a brand is creating something distinctive and, well, good. With lots of of the bags that have followed this new route, like Mansur Gavriel’s bucket and signature designs by Danse Lente and Cult Gaia, a recognizable, taste-signaling piece can be had in the mid-three figures. That’s not cheap, of course, but it does give consumers an alternative to having their arms twisted by top-tier pricing for entry-level bags. For lots of of the new contemporary options, what you get for your money is just a better deal, without sacrificing on appearance or sophistication.

Which is not to say that designer advantages (or good designer bags) have all vanished. a lot of consumers still like to get from well established names because they feel a lot more comfortable with the promised quality or customer service, or just because those brands align a lot more closely with the image they want to project to the world about their taste level or socioeconomic status. Still, though, I can’t remember a time in the last decade where there were a lot more worthy contemporary competitors in the bag market, and they’re not just competing with each other. If legacy brands are smart, they’ll take the lessons they must be learning to heart, because it’s exactly when institutions think they’ve become untouchable that someone comes around to snatch their thrones.

In September of 2007, I had just begun my senior year of high school. In a couple of months, I would receive my acceptance letter into college, and it was smooth sailing from there. At the time, I had everything from my fingers down to my toes crossed that I would be accepted into the fashion Institute of Technology. My dream would eventually come true, but when Miuccia Prada debuted her groundbreaking collection for spring 2008, I hadn’t yet heard that I was accepted to FIT. I was already immersed in the fashion world, so enamored by the possibility of it all that I wanted to soak up every part of it. After school, I would sit at the family computer and scroll through the reviews and photos of every collection, and I remember being completely in awe of Prada that year.

I didn’t own a single designer bag at that time, and while the allure and pull I felt at the time is hard to come by these days, I distinctly recall seeing a leather multi-color bag in purple, orange, and teal shades in that Prada collection. The bag was presented alongside a stunning, ethereal collection of pieces, and the Prada Fairy Bag, stole the spotlight that year. but the Prada Trembled blossoms Bag was a standout that year as well. There was even an original, animated short film that was released alongside the collection, titled “Trembled Blossoms”. I don’t remember seeing the film at the time of its release; rather, I discovered it when researching the bag, which I vividly remember, for this feature.

Prada Trembled blossoms Bag
via eBay

$658

Viewing it for the first time, I felt transported into the whimsical world of Prada. At the end of the film, the animated character happens upon a colorful, magical fish that transforms itself into the very Prada Trembled blossoms Bag I remember. It’s magical moments like this when I’m reminded why I first fell in love with handbags. The Prada Trembled blossoms Bag (not to be overshadowed by the Prada Fairy bag) was an integral part of the brand’s collection that year, popping up in a broad variety of color options. From shades of violet, teal, and orange to a mix of purples and fuchsias to metallic gold and black version, this bag wowed me on the runway.

Mrs. Prada talked to vogue runway about the collection stating that it was “about trying to find a new creativity”, and that sentiment, which was obvious then and is ever-apparent now, in all that Prada does. Ironically, the colors presented in that original Prada Trembled blossoms Bag remind me of the deep purple and peacock blue of fall 2021’s Prada Signaux bag, and suddently I want this bag all over again, though it appears not to be very readily available on the reasale market.

Do you remember the Prada Trembled Blossom’s Bag? Did you have one?

Hello! My name is Kerri and I am 20 years old. For the longest time (almost a year and a half now!) I have been wanting to purchase my very own luxury handbag, but have been continuously stuck on how to start my collection.

Since I am a college student and am unable to work a lot throughout the school year, it takes quite a while for me to save up any money. now that my spring semester is coming to an end and I’ll be working throughout the summer, I think I might be able to purchase my very first luxury handbag!

I am torn between which bag to get, as I am very much in the Louis Vuitton speedy 25/30, Balenciaga classic First, Prada Saffiano Lux tote, and the Chanel mini Flap Bag. Do you have any advice as to which I should start off with? I haven’t held any of them before, so I plan on going sometime this summer. I am closer to being able to get the LV speedy (and possibly Balenciaga) than the Chanel mini Flap.

I would really, really love your help. I have had a passion for purses ever since I was about 6, and your website and forum have made me fall in love with them even more. God only knows how many reviews I’ve watched on Youtube about each bag!

I hope to hear back from you, and thank you again for always making my day better!

Kerri,

Thanks so much for the incredibly kind words about our site. I’ve felt incredibly lucky to have such a terrific group of readers following along and it has become a big handbag-loving family over all the years. I’m so happy to have you along for the ride!

When I was 20 I was really solidifying my love for luxury handbags as well, and right around that time I started PurseBlog and PurseForum with Vlad. I spent so much time, much like you, trying to decide on my first luxury bag purchase and saved up for a while. Mine was the Fendi Spy bag. I got the bag for Christmas from my parents and it was in the height of it-bag times, which lead me to only fall further. I was so happy with that bag and still love it, but it was more trendy than a classic, and for your first designer bag you definitely want a classic.

So let me give you pros and cons for each of the bags you list above as options and tell you which bag my vote goes to. You should definitely take some time to go check the bags out in person to see which fits your personality best and feels best on you.

Louis Vuitton speedy 25/30
$950+ via Louis Vuitton

Some may be surprised, but I don’t think you should get this bag. Yes, it’s a classic and will forever hold a spot as one of the most well-known designer bags of all time. many girls start their collections this exact Louis Vuitton bag, and it’s not a bad choice, but this bag is hard to use as an everyday bag. I have a few Speedys, including the 30 cm version.

The bag looses its shape when you start to fill it up and while you can buy a bag shaper, I just don’t see the need. Also, it’s a dark interior makes the inside feel like a bottomless pit. I can rarely find what I need in this bag and because of the shape it seems to be worse than other bags. There are Speedys that come with a shoulder strap, and if you end up getting a Speedy, I highly recommend a shoulder strap. The handles are short and you can wedge this bag into the crux of your arm, but it’s going to get super heavy quickly and you will eventually end up annoyed.

With all that being said, there are still plenty of reasons you should own a Louis Vuitton speedy at some point in your life!

Balenciaga classic First
$1,685 via Balenciaga

Can I convince you to get a Balenciaga City bag? This is where my vote goes for you! You are young and Balenciaga works so well for the younger crowd and easily transitions as you get older. I can’t speak highly enough about my Balenciaga bags and the price is still really ok for a designer bag. I know the City costs more than the First, but the first is smaller and ends up working best for casual use or weekend wear. If you are shorter, it could work out ok for everyday use, but I think the City is perfect.

This is your first designer bag, you want to be able to use it typically and for a long time. The Balenciaga City bag is lovely, and while I think the shoulder strap is too short, other seem to think it is perfect in it’s size. I am 5’11 so it makes bags fitting on me look much different from someone who is substantially shorter, but Amanda is 5’6 and prefers the City as well.

Balenciaga offers so many colors and the leather ages well with time. I think if you went with a Balenciaga bag you will be so happy. So Balenciaga gets my vote.

Prada Saffiano Lux Tote
$1,990 via Bergdorf Goodman

Don’t get me wrong, I love the Prada Lux Tote, but I think it has more of a work bag or ladylike vibe than a 20 year old in college vibe. If you are super preppy and this is what lures you in, by all means go for it, but if you are similar to how I was in college you may end up feeling like thisbag is too fancy.

The Prada Lux tote photographs extremely well and I’m sure you’ve seen stunning photos of it all over instagram, and I don’t deny the bag’s beauty, but I think for your first bag you will want something a little more laid-back. However, if you love the structure and lines, there are so many color options and sizes in this bag. I want about 10 of them to be honest.

Chanel small classic Flap Bag
$4,700 via Chanel

The Chanel Flap Bag is about as timeless as they come. I love this bag, and if I got that as my first designer bag, I would have been so happy. I didn’t realize how much I would end up liking Chanel bags, I didn’t end up feeling drawn to them until later in my handbag obsessing days. The small classic Flap, which is 5.7″ x 9.3″ x 2.6″, costs $4,700. It’s an expensive bag.

In defense of the price, if you got this Chanel bag as your first you would treasure it for the rest of your life. maybe someday you’d have a daughter you could pass it down to. but I don’t know that you would use it that much, and if you’re anything like me, you might be a little afraid to carry it often.

Overall, you have terrific bags picked out that you like and you can’t go wrong. but I think your first bag should not only be a bag you adore but also a bag you plan to use and love. because of that, I still think a Balenciaga bag is your best bet. best of luck to you and please let us know what you end up deciding on!