Month: May 2023

I was thinking about brands that are popular but that I don’t cover that much anymore, and Louis Vuitton concerned mind. like numerous others, my first high-end designer bag was from the brand, and it was the tiny Wapity grasp (which I still own and still adore). Over the years, I picked up a few limited edition pieces, but I started to pull away from the brand and toward others.

Louis Vuitton is many known for its monogram canvas, and while it has tried to distance itself from some of its many popular bags, it seems the people have spoken and monogram may be making a comeback for the brand in a decidedly up-market way. The first monogram bag I’ve liked from the brand in quite a while is the Louis Vuitton Pallas.

The majority of the Pallas bag is the monogram canvas, but the interior of the bag has colored calf leather peeking out, giving it a very distinctive look. There’s a smaller crossbody version, the Pallas BB, which is, of course, the version I like best. The interior is much more luxe than other LV bags, with microfiber lining. The price is also much higher, which seems to be the norm for LV in general now. There isn’t much much more to this bag; it’s a terrific size, it has an adjustable take on strap, and it’s all about the Monogram.

I’m kind of amazed I like this bag as much as I do, but I guess I’ll always have a soft spot for the renowned monogram canvas, and, truth be told, no one does a monogram quite like Louis Vuitton does. The larger size is $2,490 through Louis Vuitton and the BB is $2,260.

You know, when it concerns handbags and the reviews we do here on PurseBlog, we can be all over the place. in some cases we (me, Megs, Amanda and Anna) can be in complete agreement and other times we don’t see eye to eye at all. This all makes sense, of course, because, well, we all have different likes and dislikes. (I know, I am stating the apparent here, just bare with me.)

However, I feel as though we tend to be many polar on our view points with some of the big time designers, like Valentino. But, when it concerns Valentino, Amanda said it best in her review of the Valentino Laceland tote when she said is not completely comfortable claiming she loves or hates a given Valentino creation. I feel the same exact way.

So, as I sit here contemplating how I feel about the Valentino Rouches Napa Hobo, I also wonder not only what my fellow PurseBlog writers think but also what you all think about this bag. There is a large part of me that really wants to like the bag, but there is a nagging part of me that thinks it is nothing much more than heinous. So, let’s break it down.

No matter what the state of the economy is, there is something to be said for possessing one of the big name brand bags – which Valentino is a part of. The leather itself is downright gorgeous. It is supple, beautiful and flawless. As a hobo, the dimensions are pretty much spot on: 13 1/2″H x 15″W x 8 1/2″D with a 5″ take on drop. I wish the drop was a bit larger, but I won’t make that a point of extreme discussion. I love satin lining, so the fact that this bag is lined with black satin, I certainly like it a bit more. Yet again, is that enough to make or break a decision – no.

The ruffles. The ruffles have me on the fence. When I think about really tapping into my feminine side, I like the ruffles. When I think about how borderline gaudy the bag looks, I hate the ruffles. but that is the thing. The ruffles are *supposed* to help the bag stand out; they are expected to make the bag distinct and one-of-a-kind.

Finally, the price. Yes, this is Valentino and yes the prices tend to be a bit inflated compared to the rest of the handbag market. However, would you throw down practically $2600 for this ruffled, leather, hobo? The price is what is making me quiver. If the bag was cheaper, I would go out on a ledge and purchase it. I need a statement piece and frankly, this bag is exactly that – a statement. but with everything being said, does this bag make so much of a statement that you would be prepared to throw down big time bucks? If so, purchase through Bergdorf Goodman for $2595.

On Friday, something interesting was brought to our attention on Twitter – Hermes now has one very particular exotic bag to buy on its website. In our memory, as well as our tipster’s, this is the first time exotic bags have been so widely accessible from the notoriously insular brand, and the Hermes double Sens Croco tote it may be an indicator of the inevitable future of luxury shopping.

Hermes has an interesting product category on its website called “Surprise!” that is updated periodically with new pieces that range from breathtaking to oddball. It currently contains a marble horse-head sculpture that retails for over $7,000 and a crocodile mini saddle that will cost you in excess of 20 Gs. most interesting to us, though, is this simple little reversible tote, covered on one side by either Porosus crocodile or Mississippiensis alligator, depending on the size you choose.

Hermes exotics are beyond legendary, and while the crocodile version of this bag doesn’t quite crack the ceiling to make it the most expensive exotic bag on the Internet (the alligator version, which is smaller, will set you back $26,900 to the larger crocodile’s $38,000), the presence of this one to buy online, directly from the brand, represents another step forward in the luxury business’ tentative embrace of online shopping. With Forbes reporting that online sales saw a significant spike while brick-and-mortar sales lagged this holiday season, the writing may be on the wall for even the most staid of designer brands.

The iconic French design house has long offered a limited selection of its products to buy on its website, but like Louis Vuitton, Hermes has always kept the exclusive pieces off the Internet. Although this bag’s online presence is likely a result of its basic design, and products in the “Surprise!” section generally don’t stick around for long, that Hermes would offer a piece from its most exclusive product category on its website says a lot about where the industry is headed.

Hermes double Sens Chiffon PM Bag
$26,900 via Hermes

Hermes double Sens Chiffon PM Bag
$26,900 via Hermes

Hermes double Sens Chiffon GM Bag
$38,000 via Hermes

I can’t believe it’s only been about two months because the very first Louis Vuitton Multi Pochette Accessoires sighting. With the amount of press, influencer marketing, as well as overall popularity, it feels like this little bag has been around for years… however it hasn’t. just let that sink in for a moment. Oh, the power of social media.

Anyway, as the Multi Pochette Accessoires made a name for itself in the handbag world, the particular style became almost impossible to purchase freely, unless you’re of influencer or star status. It sold out practically everywhere, including online as well as in almost all boutiques around the world. Yes, around the world. I even called Louis Vuitton business to confirm. (The only instance where a bag may be offered is if one is randomly returned directly to a boutique.)

That’s not to say it’s impossible to purchase, though. however you have to be prepared to pay way above market price. Currently, both Multi Pochette colors (Kaki as well as rose Clair) are offered through StockX, an online marketplace where users can buy, sell, as well as bid on bags. Take it for what you will, however the site guarantees the bags are authentic. (Many of them insurance claim the labels are still on.) Fashionphile likewise has quite a few available, priced at nearly double what Louis Vuitton originally sold the bag for ($1,640).

We do have some ~semi~ great news, though. The bag is rumored to return any type of minute now. Well, sort of. This past week, I called and/or went to all of the nearby Louis Vuitton boutiques in my area (Miami, Florida). I added my name to every waitlist (There are hundreds of names before mine though. Sigh.) as well as inquired about the bag’s long-awaited return. While no SA might provide me a definitive answer, they all said about the same thing: It ought to come back, in some sort of capacity, before or best after the new year. It’s not yet known exactly how restricted stocks will be when the bag does return, provided there are thousands of names on waitlists around the world.

Sometime in the future, Louis Vuitton business alleges the bag will ended up being part of the designer’s permanent collection. In fact, I spoke with an SA by the name of Justin H. (he wouldn’t supply his last name) who was relatively positive the bag will return sooner rather than later. However, he did mention there’s no telling exactly how difficult it will be to purchase the bag when it does return. (Think the availability of the LV fast versus a Birkin or Kelly. Yes, that’s exactly how popular this bag is.)

Here at PurseBlog, Kaitlin as well as I are both excited to purchase one of our own. Luckily, she’s in the market for the Kaki version, while I’m interested in the rose Clair. When the bag does return, extra colors are expected to ended up being offered as well.

The question is, what if the bag never completely returns? would you pay severely above market just to get yourself one? If you think about it, it is the equivalent of purchasing two (maybe three, if you count the coin case) bags for one, along with the crossbody strap. however is it worth $3,000 as well as up? provided the expense of each piece that make up the Multi Pochette Accessoires, I would have to say no… even though I really do love the overall look of it.

While this bag style is certainly not for everyone, it’s clearly a success so far, with a bright future ahead as one of Louis Vuitton’s newest “it” pieces.

Louis Vuitton Multi Pochette Accessoires ($1,640)

try as I might, I rarely find an occasion on which I think a bag looks better with multicolor studs than it would have looked with just one shade. possibly it’s for the same reason that I don’t like to mix my metals when choosing accessories and jewelry.

I know it’s an old-fashioned habit, and I’m very much not an old-fashioned kind of gal, but the mix of gold, silver and gunmetal on the Rebecca Minkoff Linear Stud darling Hobo just bothers me.

With the navy blue leather, if the studs had all been gunmetal (or even regular silver), I would have been all for it. All gold? probably not – the combination of weathered gold and navy blue is a but too nautical for me. The combination of all three metals is even less my style, and still reads slightly sailor-y. Am I being too uptight about mixing metals? purchase through ShopBop for $595.