The ultimate status bag, the Hermes birkin, is at the top of every girl's wish list. But to truly appreciate the birkin in all its beauty and to be worthy of its fabulousness is to be knowledgeable on everything about it. We all know Hermes bags are crafted by hand with the most amazing skins in the world. And by now even my housekeeper is aware of the secret blindstamp and craftsman id on the strap. But it is not just the Hermes stamp and logo that makes one a "Bag Snob"! There is so much about Hermes bags that make them the finest in the world. First, the tissue paper. I have had many conversations with various Hermes Managing Directors and they all love talking about the tissue paper. Apparently there are special tissue paper craftsman who spend their entire lives folding tissue paper for Hermes bags! They make little pillows for the birkin to rest upon and layers of "blankets" to protect it. It is suggested that you keep the bag exactly as the day you opened it, sleeping on the little pillow will allow it to keep its shape for life!
March 2006 Archives
You know what? That's it. We've had it with the Spy and all its ridiculous incarnations. We forgave the trashy denim spy but this we will not tolerate. It looks like it was made from a smelly polyester thrift store shirt. The printed satin doesn't even go with the color of the leather but you know what? They are probably messing with us. Its hard to believe that Fendi would design a bag so vile even Ashlee Simpson would find it objectionable.
Chanel at Bluefly? We were shocked too but what great news for our bargain hunting girls! This little beauty is a classic that will never go out of style. In signature white tweed with metallic threading, it is the perfect bag for Easter weekend, what a way to celebrate the end of lent!
Everything from Chanel jackets, shoes, accessories, and timeless bags are discounted at the world's largest online outlet. Gone are the days when the House of Chanel would rather burn the stock they couldn't sell than to sell it at a discount (yup, they would have bonfires at the end of every season!) While you're looking, don't forget to sign up for the "it" bag a day giveaway.
Looking for more great spring bags at bargain prices? Here are some tips on making the most out of your budget from glamour expert Mattie Roberts, our favorite champagne guzzling diva!
This bag is so clever for those days when you are out all day and have a lot of stuff with you but don't want to look like you're running around town with your luggage. You can leave the main canvas tote in the car and use the detachable little sequin bag for meeting a friend for a chic lunch or shopping at your favorite boutique, so you don't knock over displays and run people over with your oversized tote. How often do you come across a bag where the function is fabulous! An absolute bargain for $322 at Net-A-Porter.
Fashion insiders know the easiest way to update your wardrobe is with a few key pieces of accessories. Combining two important looks of the season, the small bag and black/white chic, the Ursula pochette is a fresh interpretation of an old classic. We are mad for this super hip bag from Marc Jacobs and will be taking it with us everywhere we go this summer. We also love the contrast of punk rock patent leather with classic gold chain. $675 At Net A Porter.
Some people collect paintings from great masters such as Monet and Degas, others prefer sculptures from Rodin, for the Bag Snob, it is handbags.
This week's Carnivale of Couture is hosted by Styletribe. The topic of the week is to share the most significant fashion purchase, not the most expensive or exciting, but the one that was somehow pivotal or meaningful to us personally.
For the Bag Snob, every fashion purchase is pivotal and meaningful. Whether it be an impulse buy or a carefully thought out purchase, each one has defined us at that moment. Our most recent fabulous purchase is a vintage Hermes white ostrich kelly from the late 60's found in an exclusive vintage store in Miami three weeks ago. Hermes has temporarily suspended the production of white bags so it is nearly impossible to get one right now, let alone a white ostrich, which is actually impossible to get without waiting 3-4 years. Needless to say, this is quite a find, even for the Bag Snob.
All of my other Hermes bags have been purchased new at the Hermes boutique so finding a vintage one is quite special for me. The bag is exquisite and in impeccable condition down to each stitch, even the original straps and accessories are intact as are the stamps and markings. After 30+ years the 24k gold plate hardware is like new, the only thing that shows age is the lock! Finding this perfectly aged bag has now convinced me that Hermes bags are worth every single expensive penny. They are also excellent investments as they keep their value better than a Mercedes.
I keep thinking about the original owner and imagine her as Catherine Deneuve looked in "Belle de Jour", not the housewife turned prostitute part, but the chic Parisian part in perfect fitting clothes and kelly bags with matching shoes. Perhaps she owned hundreds of bags like us and only pulled this one out on special occasions, or maybe she used it often with care. Whoever she was, I am certain she was a Bag Snob of her day.
Be still my heart! The Bag Snob is in love! We've been raving about the brilliant Tomas Maier for months now and he has proven once again to be one of few great designers left in the dying fashion industry. The latest in the Bottega empire, the Litchi Fume, is the cream of the crocodile crop this season. We love the slouchy hobo shape, which is casual, young, and fun. But the richness of the camel crocodile skin also makes this one of the most elegant bags to covet this year. And at $10,100, it is a steal! (compared to $18,000 for Chanel, YSL, Ralph Lauren, and Prada crocs). Available on special order from Bottega Venetta stores worldwide (5th Ave Boutique 212-371-5511).
Is it possible to look chic AND tote around a tot? It is if you are the Bag Snob. We've been using our treasured Hermes birkins as diaper bags but after my last trip to New York where my son dumped an entire bottle of Purell sanitizer into my beloved Rouge H birkin and smashed all of his crackers on top of that, we decided to re-consider a few more practical options. Here are some of our favorites that will keep you stylin' even when you're covered in throw up.
Fleurville Luxe Leather diaper bags in Tiffany blue or pink. These couture worthy bags are made with waterproof pebbled grain leather and waterproof seamed interior. Each bag also comes with all the accesories you'll need to keep your babe happy and dry. $425 at Due Maternity.
For the baby whom fashion is as important as the next bottle, these fabulous shoes from PediPed are a MUST HAVE in every color and style!
We just can't get enough of all the fabulous white bags out there for Spring! This Prada with raffia frame just shouts sunshine and breezy warm weather. $1650 special order at Neiman Marcus (800-365-7989). You know we love clutches but it's so hard to find the perfect daytime casual clutch. This Miu Miu cutie can also make it to evening with jeans and flirty top. $630 at Net A Porter.
